Former Lancaster mayoral candidate embroiled in home rental scam

interestedcitizen, says:

Why is it that preachers got involved in this scam?

Does it have something to do with opposition to "evil capitalism?" Is this taught in "liberation theology" classes? Is there, in the minds of these preachers, the idea that foreclosure is a form of taking from the poor, and that these scams are a way of taking property back for the oppressed masses? Do the preachers think it is immoral for houses to remain empty in the face of homelessness, held by the money lenders, who seek profit in the form of interest and capital appreciation? Do the preachers feel morally justified in taking that empty housing and turning it over to people who would otherwise be homeless?

If these preachers feel morally justified in what they are doing, how can they, in good faith, charge rent, which is just like usury, without, in turn, making a financial investment in the form of a loan?

If these preachers were truly motivated by a moral philosphy, wouldn't they simply occupy these houses for their tenants and let their poor tenants live there for nothing? Wouldn't they, also, feel a burden to preserve the property while they were occupying it, since abusing the property of others is a form of stealing, in violation of the commandment, "thou shalt not steal?"

Do not these preachers act immorally, making a return on investment that is infinite in size, given their zero investment, while the so called "greedy capitalists" are limited in the return on investment they can get by what the market is willing to pay? Do these pastors fail to realize that capitalists and lenders build wealth slowly, through risk and hard work? Do they not understand that when capitalists take risks, they are just as likely to lose wealth as gain wealth? Do they not understand that, even when capitalists take risks, risk involves hard work, preparation, study, and sometimes sweat and labor?

Or does this represent the naked greed of the pastors involved? Do the preachers lack any moral philosophy to guide their actions? Is this simply a way the preachers amass power and wealth for themselves? Is this completely self serving, or is it an outgrowth of a delusion brought on by a moral philosophy emphasizing the duty to occupy this earth, to intervene on behalf of the poor, and to make sure that no property is withheld from the market when there are people who need it? Or is this simply a means by which these pastors take advantage of the poor and unsuspecting? Do the preachers abuse their positions of trust to take advantage of the poor?

If these pastors are driven by naked greed, how many more of them and their kind are out there? How can we know when people are driven by pure greed, even while they use slogans and gain power that lead us to believe they are driven by a willingness to be self sacrificial?

Is anyone in this world truly driven by self sacrifice, or can we trace all efforts to be beneficial to desire to acquire wealth, power, and status, with the ultimate goal of ensuring our long security?

momzilla, says:

Discouraging, isn't it?

But there are people out there called to self-sacrifice and who are humbly serving others the best way that they know how in the course of their daily lives. The thing is that these are not typically self-aggrandizing so you might not know their names or recognize them on the street.

Rule of thumb: If they go by the title "Reverend" or "Pastor" in the course of their secular activities, they are suspect.