Could the Catholic Church end world hunger by selling some furniture and room furnishings?

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Could the Catholic Church end world hunger by selling some furniture and room furnishings? (Page 1 of 4)

Posted: 3/26/2017 3:52:03 AM EDT

Opulence. Houses of God are full of things that are designed to make people feel humble.

It is interesting to me, the Catholic Church. They have more "high value" money, gems, art, furniture, real estate, artifacts, documents, books, etc... Yet- they solicit donations to maintain all of these possessions and the excess may go towards a cause. Sounds a bit like the United Way to me.

Why does the church not auction off a pittance and apply it towards a cause? Why is Bill Gates on the forefront of humanitarian causes and the Church is not?

Also, don't get me wrong. Historically, the Church has not pursued this mission.

Posted: 3/26/2017 3:54:05 AM EDT

[#1]

It's just business, dude.

ETA: IBTL.

Posted: 3/26/2017 3:54:49 AM EDT

[#2]

It's a damn good business.

Posted: 3/26/2017 3:59:03 AM EDT

[#3]

A good start would be paying taxes like the rest of us.

Posted: 3/26/2017 4:00:39 AM EDT

[#4]

I can only speak from my limited experience compared to some others- I was born and raised in the Catholic church until I left at about age 16. I mean the full nine-yards... parochial school K-12 with nuns and priests teaching.

Our local churches didn't really have anything expensive or ornate. Most things were donated and honestly the places were pretty basic/boring in their architecture. Now I have seen some beautiful and expensive looking churches, such as Holy Name Cathedral, but those are the exception and not the rule. As to your question, if the church liquidated all assets to try and feed the hungry? Maybe, but I just don't see it.

Posted: 3/26/2017 4:05:56 AM EDT

[#5]

Yeah, but for how long?

Give a man a fish, and you've fed him for a day;

Teach a man to fish and you've fed him for life.

They could melt all the gold leaf, buy grains, heck, buy tractors and plows and 90% of the world's starving will still be starving again a week later because they will not lift a finger to help themselves.

Posted: 3/26/2017 4:08:53 AM EDT

[#6]

Quote History

Quoted:
I can only speak from my limited experience compared to some others- I was born and raised in the Catholic church until I left at about age 16. I mean the full nine-yards... parochial school K-12 with nuns and priests teaching.

Our local churches didn't really have anything expensive or ornate. Most things were donated and honestly the places were pretty basic/boring in their architecture. Now I have seen some beautiful and expensive looking churches, such as Holy Name Cathedral, but those are the exception and not the rule. As to your question, if the church liquidated all assets to try and feed the hungry? Maybe, but I just don't see it.

View Quote

You don't see them doing that?
-or-
You don't see that making a dent in world hunger?

As an aside - I went to a college prep school run by Jesuits. The front offices were Teak and marble. The rest of the school wasn't shabby, by any means. I'm sure there are many real-estate holdings which do not qualify for my broad brush. At the end of the day, my question is for the Church as a whole. City mice and country mice churches

Posted: 3/26/2017 4:08:53 AM EDT

[#7]

Quote History

Quoted:
Yeah, but for how long?

Give a man a fish, and you've fed him for a day;

Teach a man to fish and you've fed him for life.

They could melt all the gold leaf, buy grains, heck, buy tractors and plows and 90% of the world's starving will still be starving again a week later because they will not lift a finger to help themselves.

View Quote

I was going to say something like this - you could have all the wealth in the world to buy food for people and "feed the hungry"... but you'd eventually run out of that wealth, and the poor hungry would go right back to the same state.

We'd need to teach the poor hungry how to feed themselves, we'd need to help them to help themselves, otherwise it's just temporary.

Posted: 3/26/2017 4:12:37 AM EDT

[#8]

Quote History

Quoted:
I was going to say something like this - you could have all the wealth in the world to buy food for people and "feed the hungry"... but you'd eventually run out of that wealth, and the poor hungry would go right back to the same state.

We'd need to teach the poor hungry how to feed themselves, we'd need to help them to help themselves, otherwise it's just temporary.

View Quote View All Quotes

View All Quotes

Quote History

Quoted:

Quoted:
Yeah, but for how long?

Give a man a fish, and you've fed him for a day;

Teach a man to fish and you've fed him for life.

They could melt all the gold leaf, buy grains, heck, buy tractors and plows and 90% of the world's starving will still be starving again a week later because they will not lift a finger to help themselves.

I was going to say something like this - you could have all the wealth in the world to buy food for people and "feed the hungry"... but you'd eventually run out of that wealth, and the poor hungry would go right back to the same state.

We'd need to teach the poor hungry how to feed themselves, we'd need to help them to help themselves, otherwise it's just temporary.

You both, are not onboard with the church selling assets to feed the hungry?

The question wasn't about the poor being self-sufficient.

The question is: Could the Church do it?

Posted: 3/26/2017 4:14:48 AM EDT

[#9]

You know that ending starvation means buying more than one meal for everyone, right...

Posted: 3/26/2017 4:18:57 AM EDT

[#10]

I'm not Catholic but I would guess that the charity they provide has fed and helped more people than you imagine.

Posted: 3/26/2017 4:20:14 AM EDT

[#11]

Quote History

Quoted:
You both, are not onboard with the church selling assets to feed the hungry?

The question wasn't about the poor being self-sufficient.

The question is: Could the Church do it?

View Quote View All Quotes

View All Quotes

Quote History

Quoted:

Quoted:
Yeah, but for how long?

Give a man a fish, and you've fed him for a day;

Teach a man to fish and you've fed him for life.

They could melt all the gold leaf, buy grains, heck, buy tractors and plows and 90% of the world's starving will still be starving again a week later because they will not lift a finger to help themselves.

I was going to say something like this - you could have all the wealth in the world to buy food for people and "feed the hungry"... but you'd eventually run out of that wealth, and the poor hungry would go right back to the same state.

We'd need to teach the poor hungry how to feed themselves, we'd need to help them to help themselves, otherwise it's just temporary.

You both, are not onboard with the church selling assets to feed the hungry?

The question wasn't about the poor being self-sufficient.

The question is: Could the Church do it?

Keep selling till they get it right (not joking)

Posted: 3/26/2017 4:21:03 AM EDT

[#12]

I think they could accomplish something if they adopted the position that having children you can't afford to care for on your own dime is a sin.

Posted: 3/26/2017 4:21:09 AM EDT

[#13]

Your questions are childish and nonsensical. They don't even rise to the level of effective trolling.

You could liquidate the assets of every church, and it wouldn't put a dent in "World hunger".

Posted: 3/26/2017 4:22:33 AM EDT

[#14]

Good grief, the socialists and their loony ideas

Posted: 3/26/2017 4:26:23 AM EDT

[#15]

I sense OP is a paid hack. Bill Gates a humanitarian?

Posted: 3/26/2017 4:41:54 AM EDT

[#16]

I live in a small rural county, the amount of land the Catholic church owns in just our county is astronomical and was gradually collected over the years by people leavings portions of their estate to the church.
We are just one rural county in one state in one country. Think about the same phenomenon occurring across the globe. Its mind boggling what the church possesses in real estate alone.

Posted: 3/26/2017 4:45:02 AM EDT

[#17]

Quote History

Quoted:
I'm not Catholic but I would guess that the charity they provide has fed and helped more people than you imagine.

View Quote

Truth.

Posted: 3/26/2017 4:45:58 AM EDT

[#18]

Quoted: Why is Bill Gates on the forefront of humanitarian causes and the Church is not?

View Quote

Thanks for that.
I know its wrong to laugh but man I love some GD with my Sunday morning coffee.

Quoted:
I sense OP is a paid hack. Bill Gates a humanitarian?

View Quote

But he's saving Africa from aids.... by cutting African's dicks off... and spending billions on the plastic medical thingy used to do it... which he actually does himself...
Oh right, Bill Gates is a shady ass mothefuker that onyl cares about himself and making a shitload of money. Who would have thought?

Posted: 3/26/2017 4:52:15 AM EDT

[#19]

No.
World hunger, poverty, crime, etc... No amount of charity will end these things.

They should start preaching to pull out and that might do more to end world hunger and poverty.. at least in areas where Catholicism has any influence.
People who are already hungry and struggling will only do worse with more mouths to feed.

eta- helping the poor and hungry? sure, they could feed more by selling off some shit.
Helping people who fall on hard times is not the same as ending world hunger.

Posted: 3/26/2017 5:01:41 AM EDT

[#20]

I remember them putting the arm on my recently divorced mother as a kid and all their other shake downs. They are like Smaug the dragon sitting on all their gold and still putting the screws to working people. They are as corrupt as any other big Liberal Institution and bugger little boys as well.

I talk directly to God and dont need a priest picking my pocket and feeling my kids ass as a go between.

Posted: 3/26/2017 5:04:13 AM EDT

[#21]

Stupid thread.

I'm Catholic (or at least my wife makes me pretend to still be one), went to Catholic school, pay to send my kids to catholic school. I'm not even a big fan of the church, but know that they do tons of charity work. In fact I'd rather they not spend my money on bringing Muslim refugees into this country or feeding kids in third world shitholes.

Of course in a perfect world, charity would only come from churches or those that voluntarily donate, instead of forced income redistribution by the gov't.

Posted: 3/26/2017 5:07:46 AM EDT

[#22]

No.
The question is beyond stupid.

Posted: 3/26/2017 5:10:31 AM EDT

[#23]

Disclaimer: I am a lapsed Catholic, so I may not be the correct one for this question. I spent 12 years in Catholic School and have some issues with the Church.

I do not understand why the Church has so much art, jewels, precious metals and ornate items. I watched a documentary film about the Vatican and a priest charged with the care of the collection said them items couldn't be sold because they belonged to Vatican's museum.

I think this is an area where the Church has lost sight of their true purpose. I am glad that I won't have to be the one on Judgement Day that has to explain while unfortunate one went without food, medicine, clothing or shelter, I ensured the treasures of the Church were kept intact in accordance with Jesus' wishes.

I could be wrong but it doesn't make sense to me.

Posted: 3/26/2017 5:12:18 AM EDT

[#24]

OP. How about instead of selling their assets, they stop demanding families give more than they can afford to the church?

Been in shitty poor towns where the church building is obviously conspicuous consumption. The church's only real interest is the church.

Posted: 3/26/2017 5:27:53 AM EDT

[#25]

OP their vows didn't include a vow of poverty.

Posted: 3/26/2017 6:05:52 AM EDT

[#26]

Could the third world end world hunger by not having so many fucking kids?

Posted: 3/26/2017 6:07:39 AM EDT

[#27]

Quoted:
Opulence. Houses of God are full of things that are designed to make people feel humble.

It is interesting to me, the Catholic Church. They have more "high value" money, gems, art, furniture, real estate, artifacts, documents, books, etc... Yet- they solicit donations to maintain all of these possessions and the excess may go towards a cause. Sounds a bit like the United Way to me.

Why does the church not auction off a pittance and apply it towards a cause? Why is Bill Gates on the forefront of humanitarian causes and the Church is not?

Also, don't get me wrong. Historically, the Church has not pursued this mission.

View Quote

Why don't we sell off everything in the Smithsonian to pay off the US debt? Or knock down the Washington Monument and sell it as scrap building supplies? Historical artifacts held in the Vatican museum are a trust held for western society. In fact, it was the Church who preserved knowledge through the dark ages and spurred the renaissance.

Posted: 3/26/2017 6:10:20 AM EDT

[#28]

Quote History

Quoted:
Could the third world end world hunger by not having so many fucking kids?

View Quote

Uh, well, assorted varieties of holy rollers are doing their best to make sure that doesn't happen.

Posted: 3/26/2017 6:12:33 AM EDT

[#29]

Give a man a fish...teach a man to fish.

Posted: 3/26/2017 6:14:06 AM EDT

[#30]

Nothing to do with hunger but I read one time the Catholic Church owns more property than any organization in the world. Like hundreds of thousands of acres. It might have been millions, it was too long ago that I read it, anyway, wonder what all that equals in lost property tax? Just thought it was interesting, carry on ...

Posted: 3/26/2017 6:17:03 AM EDT

[#31]

Quote History

Quoted:
Disclaimer: I am a lapsed Catholic, so I may not be the correct one for this question. I spent 12 years in Catholic School and have some issues with the Church.

I do not understand why the Church has so much art, jewels, precious metals and ornate items. I watched a documentary film about the Vatican and a priest charged with the care of the collection said them items couldn't be sold because they belonged to Vatican's museum.

I think this is an area where the Church has lost sight of their true purpose. I am glad that I won't have to be the one on Judgement Day that has to explain while unfortunate one went without food, medicine, clothing or shelter, I ensured the treasures of the Church were kept intact in accordance with Jesus' wishes.

I could be wrong but it doesn't make sense to me.

View Quote

To be fair it would be pretty retarded to sell/melt irreplaceable art kept for thousands of years by the Church only to feed some people for a few months if that. Hell, you can literally stop world hunger TODAY by just feeding the food thrown to the garbage by the richer countries. If people regulated the intake a tad, not only would they be healthier, they would be more than enough food for everyone.
Selling invaluable art and history to buy some corn and rice is pretty stupid way to go about fighting poverty. The kind of thing Diego Maradona has said in the past, adn he's abrain dead cocaine adcit.

Posted: 3/26/2017 6:25:07 AM EDT

[#32]

Nope.

Posted: 3/26/2017 6:29:35 AM EDT

[#33]

Quote History

Quoted:

Why don't we sell off everything in the Smithsonian to pay off the US debt? Or knock down the Washington Monument and sell it as scrap building supplies? Historical artifacts held in the Vatican museum are a trust held for western society. In fact, it was the Church who preserved knowledge through the dark ages and spurred the renaissance.

View Quote View All Quotes

View All Quotes

Quote History

Quoted:

Quoted:
Opulence. Houses of God are full of things that are designed to make people feel humble.

It is interesting to me, the Catholic Church. They have more "high value" money, gems, art, furniture, real estate, artifacts, documents, books, etc... Yet- they solicit donations to maintain all of these possessions and the excess may go towards a cause. Sounds a bit like the United Way to me.

Why does the church not auction off a pittance and apply it towards a cause? Why is Bill Gates on the forefront of humanitarian causes and the Church is not?

Also, don't get me wrong. Historically, the Church has not pursued this mission.

Why don't we sell off everything in the Smithsonian to pay off the US debt? Or knock down the Washington Monument and sell it as scrap building supplies? Historical artifacts held in the Vatican museum are a trust held for western society. In fact, it was the Church who preserved knowledge through the dark ages and spurred the renaissance.

#1 Read the OP
#2 Maybe I'll make a thread later, about the US Govt selling off assets to feed the poor. For now, read the OP

Posted: 3/26/2017 6:58:27 AM EDT

[#34]

The Church (that'd be the "one true church") has sponsored, purchased, or been gifted art, gems, artifacts, and all manner of things for over a thousand years. Just because the art-buying world has placed substantial value on these items now does not mean the church is obligated to pawn them off to help others, particularly those that aren't even Catholic.

Posted: 3/26/2017 7:03:12 AM EDT

[#35]

Forget about their trinkets and furnishings. They have obscenely valuable real estate in every high-value location you can even imagine.

Posted: 3/26/2017 7:09:43 AM EDT

[#36]

I'm not a big fan of the Catholic Church but they have fed, clothed, sheltered, healed, and educated more people on this Earth than any other group of people in history.

Posted: 3/26/2017 7:14:54 AM EDT

[#37]

Quote History

Quoted:
The Church (that'd be the "one true church") has sponsored, purchased, or been gifted art, gems, artifacts, and all manner of things for over a thousand years. Just because the art-buying world has placed substantial value on these items now does not mean the church is obligated to pawn them off to help others, particularly those that aren't even Catholic.

View Quote

What other benefit do these items serve, in the eyes of God?

...a little hyperbole there, with a dash of WTF?.

Why does the church needs these assets? The real-estate, I understand. Everything else? ...what are they saving it for?

I say, they feed the poor.

Posted: 3/26/2017 7:16:45 AM EDT

[#38]

Quote History

Quoted:
I'm not a big fan of the Catholic Church but they have fed, clothed, sheltered, healed, and educated more people on this Earth than any other group of people in history.