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mindlight

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WeathbyReligion.png

Prosperity theology suggests that the Christian lifestyle will make you more healthy, wealthy and happy. Focusing on the wealth side of things I asked ChatGPT to work through all the most reliable sources like PEW Research and Credit Suisse's global wealth survey to create the following table. I separated Chinese from Western humanism because they are entirely different.

I have to say that the result suggests to me the following.
1) Christianity is the wealthiest religion.
2) Atheists are richest in predominantly Christian or Post Christian cultures where their selfishness can still be blessed.
3) Islam and Hinduism are also-rans in the wealth leagues
4) Jews are a very small group but quite rich indicating to me that living out some of those Old Testament principles could also be a blessing to Christians if they let them

So do these stats indicate that prosperity theology is a real thing?
It seems to me that the kinds of things that make people poor e.g. war, poor government, lack of moral living, divorce are all mainly non Christian behavior patterns.
Is fair to say that while on individual level Christians can become poor by self sacrifice, that on an overall level a Jewish-Christian culture will be richer than its alternatives?
 

Maria Billingsley

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The Prosperity Gospel fundamentally contradicts the teachings of Jesus Christ of Nazareth by replacing His call for self-denial, suffering, and humility with a promise of guaranteed earthly wealth, health, and happiness.
Blessings
 
  • Agree
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mindlight

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The Prosperity Gospel fundamentally contradicts the teachings of Jesus Christ of Nazareth by replacing His call for self-denial, suffering, and humility with a promise of guaranteed earthly wealth, health, and happiness.
Blessings

Yes I agree but it remains a fact that Christians are more prosperous than other religions. Also the societies they inhabit are more likely to prosper. So a life of self denial, suffering and humility seems to be a better platform for earthly prosperity as a whole than one of greed, selfish ambition and egoism.
 
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Maria Billingsley

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Yes I agree but it remains a fact that Christians are more prosperous than other religions. Also the societies they inhabit are more likely to prosper. So a life of self denial, suffering and humility seems to be a better platform for earthly prosperity as a whole than one of greed, selfish ambition and egoism.
In my opinion the high prosperity of many historically Christian nations is a case of correlation, not causation, and is an inaccurate view of the Christian blessing. These countries are prosperous primarily because they developed strong secular institutions like freedom , stable laws, property rights, universal education and equal rights which drive economic success. The citizens, including Christians, benefit from this secular environment.
The Christian blessing is first and foremost the spiritual condition of the believer, rooted in forgiveness of sin, peace with God, and the promise of eternal life in Jesus Christ of Nazareth far superseding any earthly material gain.
Blessings
 
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DragonFox91

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I fear many who identify as Christians aren't actually Christians. For example, many times their belief is in their wealth.
But I guess if we want to be generous & trust 'Christians' in table is accurate, I've noticed Christians are often quite wise spending their money. A lot of us aren't interested in the world's pursuits. I've noticed a lot of non-believers, they're never satisfied w/ what they have so they're constantly buying more & more, even if they don't have much money to begin w/.
What drives down the other religions' %ages is the money is often in the hands of the powerful few. That's why the per capita for the other religions is lower then Christianity but the Total is right w/ or higher then Christianity.
Prosperity Theology is wrong b/c God has called his people to different circumstances so we can know the power is in him & not wealth.
 
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