I know some christian colleagues, we always share our beliefs
and debate over it. I debate about buddhism and then they will
debate to me about christianity is better than the rest.
But one issue I don't understand is why some christians
donate a good part of their wealth to the church. Its not small
sum, it is like, some of them save $10,000 and then thinking of
using for other means like deposit for house or that new car, then
one day the pastor preaching, say there is a need for new building
fund or some ministry in some desolate area - they decide to
channel the money to the church. They tell me its for the extension
of their kingdom in heaven.
When this money go into the pockets of the pastors, there is
great great temptation for abuse of power. There is ABSOLUTELY no
accountability. They don't audit their accounts at all. I got a
friend (an ex gf) who works as an accountant at a big church, she
tells me that there is no control on where the expenses go to. No
signatory, no authorisation letter. The pastor just tell her to
deposit this money or that money into this anonymous bank account
or pass large swarths of cash to this certain leader of the
ministry. All this goes on without the knowledge of the
congregation.
Unlike the big listed corporations, they have internal audit and
proper controls in place to ensure no abuse of power and money.
Churches have none of this.
This Kong Hee case is a good development. At least the
singaporean government have laws to protect the congregation.
In malaysia, the govt don't bother as long as its not a
government bribery case. So the churches here can go anything they
want with the money. Last year christmas, I was forced to attend
the church by my christian boss (but I still remain truthful to
buddhism), just out of respect for other religions. So during the
service, I watch them pass the offering bag around. But I refuse to
give a cent. Even when they say its for a good cause, money goes
out to help the orphanages, the poor and the homeless. But how much
of this money really goes to the underprivaledge? before it
channels and end up into pockets of pastors and senior church
leaders? City Harvest is a good example of abuse of money.
Many churches collect tithes and offerings that go towards the
operating expenditure of the church. In that sense, givers normally
leave it to the leaders to use the money "for God's Kingdom" and
there's little to find fault with.
I think the problem with CHC is that monies earmarked for
specific purposes were used for other purposes and there was no
transparency. Perhaps had they initially asked for monies to be
donated specifically FOR Sun Ho's music career they could used it
until song (pun intended).
