Comments on: Rags To Riches In Africa: Become a Pastor

By: Jasonrj

Jasonrj — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 05:38:34 +0000

As someone who has personally known Frank Butyai for a little over a year now, I can say he is no evil man. His ministry is in helping educate the children of Uganda and provide housing for a limited number of orphans along with other efforts to promote stronger families, etc.

Over 10 people from my very close family (and many more from my church and others) have traveled to Uganda and helped build Frank’s latest orphanage, met with the kids, etc, etc.

PS: Also, his vehicle leaves much to be desired.

By: paul j stein

paul j stein — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 15:44:30 +0000

OK, so the writing is on the wall…Start a GAY, LESBIAN, TRANSGENDERED,BI-SEXUAL Church and get the tax exempt benefits. Pull the money from mainstream churches. With the talented GLBT persons in this World it would be well run, fabulously tasteful, the place for weddings,resort activities,family oriented for the growing market of GLBT persons with children. Go after all that available GLBT money, make the mainstream churches jealous.

By: jake

jake — Sun, 04 Jul 2010 14:11:22 +0000

L. Ron Hubbard once remarked that the easiest way to become wealthy in the US was to found your own religion.

By: gayuganda

gayuganda — Sun, 04 Jul 2010 12:01:59 +0000

ha ha ha!!!

I must say that is funny.

Matter of fact, most Ugandan pastors are rugs to riches story.

Dont know much about Ssempa (though I suspect that he is one of them.), but, best example maybe Pastor Robert Kayanja.

He didnt finish his formal schooling. Started preaching. First Church was a papyrus walled enclosure. Not even able to afford mud and wattle…

Today, he has a worldwide ministry, talks of buying a jet, and his main church is Miracle Center Cathedral. A super mega church. His ‘Miracle centre’ brand has a branch in every town and city, and he owns his very own television station and channel. No wonder Ssempa is jealous!

Even today, on every day of the week, you will find on the busier street corners of Kampala a hoarse voiced preacher pastor… I think that is their elementary education. The charismatic ones always end up graduating in the land of opportunity… the great US of A. I wonder why…?! Or, should I anyway?

By: John in the Bay Area

John in the Bay Area — Sat, 03 Jul 2010 20:08:50 +0000

In most societies there have been 3 ways to power and wealth.

1. Military and royality. Military victories create kings, chiefs, warlords, etc. who pass on their power and wealth.

2. Industry. Make something, create something, provide a product and build a business.

3. Religion. Become the local priest or priestess, witch doctor, immam and work right on up to multinational positions like Pope.

Nothing new here at all.

By: Ben in Oakland

Ben in Oakland — Sat, 03 Jul 2010 18:54:09 +0000

So a good portion of the energy of organized religion is about creating a pathway to riches? Who woulda thunk something like that? Only a cycnic could think so!

A new SUV and a a nice house? What we have here is a clear demonstration how grinding poverty can wear down your aspirations like the sea and a sand castle, or at least a failure of imigination.

It actually rmeinds me a bit of a Sholom Aleichem story, wherein a very poor but incredibly virtuous man dies, goes to heaven, is given a stupendous welcome by the assembled hosts, and is told by god he can have whatever he wants.

“If it’s not too much trouble, could I have every day, please, a hot roll with fresh butter?”

What is an SUV to having your own private castle on Lake Gandolfo, wearing ermine and scarlet like some sort of babylonian whore, and having your own private chapel ceiling painted by Michelangelo. Sow small and you reap small.

Blessed are the poor, indeed! On the other hand, as Imelda Marcos once said…”Better nouveau riche than no riche at all!”