Religion and the well-being of a sect
“Strong Prayer to the Holy Spirit” is a religious sect originated in Brazil that arrived into my country (Colombia). As happens with some protestant sects, people that join this sect give important donations to it.
Reader and Tanabe (1998) tells us that “economics, marketing, and commercialization are part of the religious process… No doubt there are tasteful as well as reprehensible ways of doing business, but it is pointless to criticize religious establishments for their economic involvements. These activities are essential to the wellbeing of the temple or shrine and therefore to the continued practice of religion itself.” (p.230)
However, regarding the wellbeing of the “Strong Prayer to the Holy Spirit” sect, the husband of one of my friends discovered, while doing some lights and sound systems installation for their temple, that the “ministers” of said sect spent a great part of the money they received, from donations given by people that believe in their message, in parties with women, alcohol, and drugs.
Regarding this case, “deceit” is the word that comes to my mind.
Contributed by Maria-IsabelMartinez on 30/01/2017
