The point of the article is that Romania and Greece are in dire financial straits and they believe the Orthodox Church is not exercising the restrain that all the other citizens and organization have to contend with.
While the Romanians and the Greeks have to tighten their belts the Orthodox Church is spending like a drunken sailor and leaving the charity work to NGOs.
Is it the Church’s fault that the government is inept at handling its economic affairs? The Church does not get its revenue from public taxes so how can this article go off and tell the Church how it should be spend its money?
Since when does the Church work for the State?
If the church quit preaching that not tithing will send you to hell and you are cursed then the people would have more money. The NT does not teach tithing but giving what the HS promps the person to do out of free will.
Historically, the state churches have been a source of inspiration and spiritual support during hard times. Just look at all the cathedrals in Europe and where the money came from to build them. I don’t think most Europeans would vote to tear them down today. They are huge source of pride for a country, as well...cultural landmarks. It’s true, religious organizations worldwide don’t pay taxes, so the Orthodox Church doesn’t either, as the Catholic Church doesn’t, and I guarantee you the Catholic Church has far more money than the Orthodox Church does. St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome was built largely on the backs of the people who paid indulgences to fund it. No one today would ever think of complaining about it. This whole issue smacks of jealousy and sour grapes on the part of Romanians and Greeks, possibly pushed by anti-Christian groups who can never find anything good in Christianity.