Free Money Finance Top 10 Most Hated Posts/Themes: #9 The World versus Christianity on Giving

Money's a controversial enough of a topic, but then throw in religion (not to mention the subject of giving) and you have a firestorm. As I mentioned in one of the comments I made on the blog, maybe I should throw in some commentary on politics just to spice things up a bit. ;-)

For those of you who don't know, every Sunday I write on a subject I call The Bible and Money. For me, it's an appropriate topic for the day as well as helps me (and hopefully readers) re-focus after six days of talking about money-money-money. Just writing the posts helps me reflect on things that are more important than money.

But the topics aren't always that easy to communicate in written for -- especially in a short post that people will read/enjoy. Thus was the case with my #9 Most Hated Post/Theme: The World versus Christianity on Giving. I was simply trying to illustrate how many people are simply greedy, trying to store up all the money they can, while Christians should have a different perspective. But it didn't come out that way -- as you'll be able to see in the comments. Be sure to read all the way through them as I explain my perspective on the issue in a bit more detail.

Regardless of my intent, this post makes it to #9 for the heat of reaction from several commenters.

BTW, is it just me, or do people seem to be more easily offended these days?

Comments

[Sarah]

I don't think people are more easily offended than in the past, but the internet enables two things that weren't a part of traditional media or societal interaction. First, it brings together a huge group of people from very different backgrounds that have an interest in the same topic, such as personal finance. If you talked about the same subject with your friends or people from church you wouldn't have the same diversity so people would be more likely to agree with you. Second, the anonymity of the internet allows people to express their opinions without concern for the feelings of the person they are disagreeing with. It is much easier to tell the computer screen off than an actual person.

[rdub]

Plus, it is almost impossible to read the tone of written communication. One simple statement can sound three different ways to three different people. Your chances of offending someone are greater with written communication over face-to-face or other verbal communcation.

[Skott]

I enjoy the Sunday posts. I think in this particular case, readers disagreed on your use (or your pastor's use) of the term "the world". Maybe "American popular culture" would have been a clearer phrase. Obviously you were not saying that people of other religions or cultures are more greedy than your average Christian.