[SeekAndFind]

[SeekAndFind]

[vladimir998]

Hmmmm....add two towers, a traditional church roof, massive center spire/tower, stain glass windows (like Chartres’), and a real portal up front and you might have something really attractive there.

[I-ambush]

Billionaire pastor?

[Zathras]

The 3D map of ancient city of Jerusalem in Israel is more interesting and didn’t cost 300M

[dadgum]

Yuck.

[Ruy Dias de Bivar]

But didn’t O L Jaggers (”That’s O-L JA-GG-ER-S”) build the GOLDEN ALTER in Los Angeles? ;-D

[DariusBane]

Where are the slot machines and poker room?

[marshmallow]

Macedo’s sect is one of the main destinations for fallen away Catholics in Brazil. His mixture of Pentecostalism, prosperity gospel and outright hucksterism is apparently considered to be an improvement over Catholicism in some quarters, if Freeper delight over Catholicism’s current decline in Central and South America is any indication.

[huldah1776]

Would God be offended?

[metmom]

Macedo, who is also the founder and leader of the Universal Church of the Kingdom of God, a Pentecostal denomination specializing in prosperity theology, initiated the idea to build the 10,000-seat church by sparing no expense.

That money would be better spent on helping the poor.

*prosperity theology*?

That's all I need to hear to write him off.

[GladesGuru]

Jesus was OK with sandals, but this chappie has a helipad on top of a ‘church’?

This is an example of why “Latino” is vastly less accurate than “Latrino”.

“Men occasionally stumble over the truth, but most of them pick themselves up and hurry off as if nothing ever happened.” Churchill

[Gamecock]

YBPDLN* Ping List Ping!

The YBPDLN Ping List is generally published infrequently but based on the exploits of the megachurch pastors posts can spike for a season. If you would like on or off of this list please FReepmail me.

Because 18,000 People Can’t Be Wrong!

*YBPDLN=Your Best Purpose Driven Life Now

[Alex Murphy]

A Brazilian billionaire preacher inaugurated a massive church building in Sao Paulo, Brazil last week, designed to be a $300 million replica of the original Temple of Solomon, as noted in the Bible's Old Testament. The temple, which takes over an entire city block, is an 11-story building twice the size of the iconic Christ the Redeemer statue overlooking Rio de Janeiro, and is complete with stone from Israel and a helipad for its founder's, Edir Macedo, convenience....Macedo, who is also the founder and leader of the Universal Church of the Kingdom of God, a Pentecostal denomination specializing in prosperity theology, initiated the idea to build the 10,000-seat church by sparing no expense. Although it does not include every detail that the original Temple of Solomon had, its blueprint is similar but decked with modern luxuries.

I would imagine, among other things, that it's missing the Ark of the Covenant.

FR keyword: arkofthecovenant

[PeteePie]

I don’t see evidence of A/C, I wouldn’t go near the place. /s

[Old Yeller]

Billionaire pastor? Who does he think he is? The pope?

[Kandy Atz]

It gets really tiresome on threads like these when folks assume:

A. That a ministry is NOT ALREADY helping the poor.
B. To know what is in a minister’s heart, or what God has directed minister/ministry to do.
C. That they would know better how to spend the money the minister/ministry has.
D. That ministries giving money directly to the poor, or through government “charity”, is somehow better than God’s way of doing things.

You don’t help the poor by giving them money! You would think people on FREE REPUBLIC would understand that by now, especially on a religion forum filled with Christians.

2 Thessalonians 3:10-12 (KJV)
10 For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat.
11 For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies.
12 Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread.

Ephesians 4:27-28 (KJV)
27 Neither give place to the devil.
28 Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.

Luke 6:38 (KJV)
38 Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.

Psalm 23:1 (KJV)
1 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.

Psalm 23:5-6 (KJV)
5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.

2 Corinthians 9:6-8 (KJV)
6 But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.
7 Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.
8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:

[Lee N. Field]

Universal Church of the Kingdom of God

http://www.uckg.org.au/about-us.aspx

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Universal_Church_of_the_Kingdom_of_God

Some of its grandiose features include Italian marble, olive trees and stone imported from Israel. The exterior boasts 30 soaring columns and next to the building stands a dome structure with a roof made of copper, considered to be a museum that incases artifacts to give visitors an ancient biblical-times experience. The interior's walls are embellished with huge menorahs while the top of the altar showcases 100 square meters of gold stained glass windows.

Macedo intends the temple to be a tourist trap,

Makes me appreciate our congregations (much) more humble rented space.