"Arise" pastors resign, with over $6m of real estate

[Lilith7]

If this isn't a blatant case of greed, masquerading as Christianity, then it's an excellent imitation. I think the time has come to de register 'religions' like this which are really a business in all but name.
I wonder if this is making the McBishop nervous....

https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/1288288...heir-names

• "Megachurch Arise has been accused of abuse and harassment within the organisation.
  
  
• Leaders Brent, John and Gillian Cameron resigned last Friday, apologising “to all those who have been hurt”.
  
  
• Two reviews have been launched into allegations interns were “overworked, overwhelmed, and taken advantage of”.
  

A closer walk with God has also meant a hike up the property ladder for two pastors of the controversial Arise Church.

Brothers John and Brent Cameron stepped down from their positions in the church on May 27 over allegations of abuse and harassment in the organisation. The church, which has 12 branches around New Zealand, has launched two reviews – one into allegations interns at the Arise Church Ministry School were overworked and exploited."

[C_T_Russell]

Most of these churches all seem to take away lots of $$$.
If they dont give back to the community in some way, then they should not get charitable status.
And trying to convert people into followers doesnt count as charitable. They are the ones giving the money!

[Praktica]

And Christopher Luxon is a member of one of them...

[Lilith7]

And Christopher Luxon is a member of one of them...

Is he a member of the same lot, Arise do you know? I knew he was religious but not which particular brand.

[Olive]

Luxon's church is The Upper Room. He seems to be downplaying his membership these days, but still promotes his fundamentalist views.

https://upperroom.org.nz/

[C_T_Russell]

Luxon's church is The Upper Room.  He seems to be downplaying his membership these days,  but still promotes his fundamentalist views.

https://upperroom.org.nz/

Isint he catholic?

[Lilith7]

Luxon's church is The Upper Room.  He seems to be downplaying his membership these days,  but still promotes his fundamentalist views.

https://upperroom.org.nz/

I don't think that anyone with fundamentalist religious views, of any religion should be in a position of having political power over others.


https://thedailyblog.co.nz/2021/12/02/mu...pper-room/


Presumably they have connections to the American church group of the same name.


https://www.upperroomny.com/

[Oldfellah]

I have never heard of the upper room so clicked on the link to go have a look and one of the first things to grab my eyes attention was this.

New online giving app
give easily from your mobile phone.

And they say there is no money in religion ... yeah rite!!!

[Lilith7]

Smacks a bit of of the 'prosperity gospel' from America.


https://www.vox.com/identities/2017/9/1/...rich-trump

"The prosperity gospel is an umbrella term for a group of ideas — popular among charismatic preachers in the evangelical tradition — that equate Christian faith with material, and particularly financial, success.
A 2006 Times poll found that 17 percent of American Christians identify explicitly with the movement, while 31 percent espouse the idea that “if you give your money to God God will bless you with more money.” A full 61 percent agree with the more general idea that “God wants people to be prosperous.”

[C_T_Russell]

Luxon's church is The Upper Room.  He seems to be downplaying his membership these days,  but still promotes his fundamentalist views.

https://upperroom.org.nz/

I don't think that anyone with fundamentalist religious views, of any religion should be in a position of having political power over others.

Completely agree!

[Oh_hunnihunni]

It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle, than a rich man to enter the Gates of Heaven.

A misquote I'm sure, me being a pagan heathen, but it is one 'sort of' biblical admonition I always rather liked.

---

I don't think that anyone with fundamentalist religious views, of any religion should be in a position of having political power over others.

Completely agree!

The only problem with that is having religion seems to come with power over others - primarily those without. I guess that's why it is still around, despite the obvious flaw in the assumption.

[Oldfellah]

I dont know why all the fuss about religion, because there is no such creature as god in anyway shape or form.

[Lilith7]

I dont know why all the fuss about religion, because there is no such creature as god in anyway shape or form.

You'd probably be hit by a bolt of lightning for that remark, if there was.

[Oldfellah]

I dont know why all the fuss about religion, because there is no such creature as god in anyway shape or form.

You'd probably be hit by a bolt of lightning for that remark, if there was.

Well im still here so their cant be 

[Oh_hunnihunni]

I think we call the life force we recognise in ourselves and other living beings our Gods. If that is, we recognise it as something real and more powerful than our own petty daily lives.

[Oldfellah]

My life is not petty, friggin boring but never petty, I don't knock peoples beliefs in whatever they believe in as long as they respect mine and don't try and ram theirs down my neck

[Oh_hunnihunni]

Mundane a better word?

[Lilith7]

I think we call the life force we recognise in ourselves and other living beings our Gods. If that is, we recognise it as something real and more powerful than our own petty daily lives.

Jeez - don't tell him he's a god! There'll be no living with him now!

[Oldfellah]

Im a God unto myself 

[Lilith7]

Im a God unto myself 

Oh bugger!

Now look what you did Hunni!