Has religion become a business venture?

Due to suspicious wrangles rising in places of worship, one is forced to think that the doctrine of religion is losing its initial purpose. Society’s Agnes Bateta and Pelagie N Mbabazi took to the streets to find out if people think religion is becoming a business instead of spiritually grooming people. “Instead of helping people grow spiritually, religion has become a serious business. People who set up places of worship do it for their own selfish interests at the expense of the congregation.”Innocent Ndayisenga, Kacyiru Resident.“These days I hear about pastors who fight over offerings and tithe! Isn’t that an indication that this is business disguised as ‘serving God’?”Sandrine Mutoni, Nyamirambo Resident.“There are some people who start churches without any good intention whatsoever. Instead of spreading the ‘good news’, many of them are only out to drain money from unsuspecting worshippers. It’s hard to find an honest place of worship these days.”Esperata Ahiheretse, Kacyiru Resident.“It’s more of a business because religious leaders are rumoured to be fighting over offerings and tithe. They ask people for donations in the name of ‘building the House of God’ then rush out to buy expensive things for themselves with that money!”Claudette Mukasakindi, Kimisagara Resident“The Bible says that priests used to depend on offerings because that was the only way they could survive. However, pastors and other religious leaders today have taken it too far. They literally use people’s tithe to live more comfortably. Now if that’s not business, I don’t know what is.” Lillian Uwimana, Gikondo Resident“Churches are growing like mushrooms which was not the case before. Most of these churches receive a lot of aid from their congregation and other people. Pastors abuse the goodness of these people and lie to them in order to get more money to live better. That is a business like no other. Richard Tuyisenge, Gastata Resident