Bank fuses faith and finance

[maxrandb]

http://www.startribune.com/stories/462/5118222.html

OTSEGO, MINN. -- There are two paintings in the offices of Riverview Community Bank in Otsego that underscore this is a small town bank with a difference.

One that hangs in President Duane Kropuenske's office shows two businessmen in an office; one is shaking hands with Christ, as though closing a deal. The other painting is a scene of what appears to be Eden. Tucked into the background of that painting is a small representation of Riverview.

The artworks appear to offer an answer to the question: Where would Jesus bank?

At the heart of the debate is Riverview, where the bank's "pastor," Chuck Ripka, and his staff pray with customers in his office and even at the drive-through window. A copy of the Ten Commandments hangs in the foyer and a Bible is buried in the foundation.

Call it faith-based financing.

Just a little snippet. How Christian of them. I mean, surely Jesus would come out today in support of 1.5% anual return, or the proper running of a Money Market account, wouldn't he?

The first thing I thought of when I read this was a great line from a Bob Dylan song.

"Disillusion words like bullets bark, as human guns aim for their mark,
Make everthing from toy guns that spark, to flesh colored Christ' that glow in the dark,
It's easy to see without looking to far that not much is really sacred"

[blm]

1. Pure BLASPHEMY. Jesus was AGAINST money being changed in his name.

These people claim they take the Bible to heart and then ignore one of Jesus' CLEAREST messages.

You never hear Republicans discuss the Pharisees much, either.

[Just Me]

26. Perhaps, there really is a devil seeking to tempt Jesus' return.

I reacted exactly the way you have when I heard Falwell say that, if Jesus were here, he'd be driving a Cadillac.

These people are just,...sick,...sick, sick people.

[4morewars]

2. I thought Jesus got rid of these assholes ?

I seem to remember reading that Jesus threw the moneylenders out of the temple.
But, then again, these are the same "christians" that voted for the murdering cabal of thieves now occupying the Whitehouse.

[izzie]

6. That was the other guy. Not our JC.

We are into GOP Christians so get up to date.

[4morewars]

12. Woops !!!

My bad. I'm still with the nice Jesus !!! Not the war profits Jesus.

[maxrandb]

7. Yes, but what they are doing

is not throwing the moneylenders out of the temple, they're making the temple the moneylender. I'm sure Jesus would approve <sarcasm off>

The hypocracy of these people just never ceases to amaze me! I think the only thing that keeps me going is the words of Christ himself when he spoke about the Pharisees.

"Woe unto you scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men."
"Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye devour widows houses, and for pretense make long prayers."
"Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass (go over) sea and land to make one proselyte (convert), and when he is made, ye make him TWO-FOLD MORE A CHILD OF HELL THAN YOURSELVES."
"Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell?"

[4morewars]

13. I don't know how they sleep at night !

I honestly don't. They have to know they are doing wrong. Somewhere inside they must have that nagging voice that tells us,"No! That's wrong" Or have they managed to turn it off ? Were they born without it ?

[maxrandb]

15. No. They were "born again" without it

I know a couple of folks that you would consider "fundies". They both were so morally bankrupt prior to "supposedly" finding Jesus, that they made Larry Flynt look like a choir boy.

One was married to my brother, left him to move in with a cocaine addict ex-boyfriend, divorced my brother, had a kid with this other loser, "found" Jesus, and is now back with my brother with the child she had by the other guy. My brother is frustrated because although he is a decent and honorable guy, and is doing what he knows is right for all their kids, he compares being with this "born again" woman with being with a nun. As in, he don't get none.

I think they are so screwed up and miserable, they feel an urgent need to make the rest of us screwed up and miserable.

Like has been said many times. "The worst kind of non-smoker is a former 2 pack a day smoker".

[4morewars]

16. That is the best explanation ....

that I have EVER heard !!!
It's the calvinist belief that they can do no wrong. In fact they can behave as badly as they want, because they have been "saved" and they will be ushered to the right hand of god by Jesus himself !!! No matter how rotten they are.
Sorry to hear that your bro is stuck with that loser. If he stays with her, he will regret it many times over, of that I have no doubt !

[maxrandb]

17. That whole forgiveness of sins stuff

really makes it easy for them to do whatever in the hell they want to doesn't it?

[SammyWinstonJack]

22. Read this somewhere, think it was on a bumpersticker

"It's easier to be born again then to have to grow up."

[maxrandb]

23. My Fave was from a George Carlin Joke

Saw a bumper sticker that said

"I found Jesus..I've got him in my trunk"

[TahitiNut]

27. The interesting thing about the phrase 'born again' is the notion ...

... that the person has learned absolutely nothing. Our 'mistakes' are, at best, an opportunity to learn - not only to learn how a choice didn't achieve goals we want, but to learn why we make such choices. All too often, the 'born again' person engages in behaviors that're every bit as dysfunctional but with even less motivation to examine their motivations.

Can you imagine an infant with the physical abilities of an adult? :eyes: Somehow, 'born again' seems monstrous to me in that regard.

[MatrixEscape]

3. They do loans, I imagine?

Usuary is forbidden in the OT. So, they better not charge interest ;)

I have been tempted to pray that my check clears in time so the massive overdraft fee don't apply.

Another one to add to my long, faith-based Antichrist list. Small minds create a trivial religious dogma once again. Water it down, pollute the waters. That way, you won't have much left to create the Theocracy with. Christ will be indistinquishable from a corporate CEO with this kind of sellout.

Hmmm ... something to be optimistic about?

[Ian David]

4. Jesus Saves-- at Riverview Community Bank

Other banks don't have a prayer.

We multiply your savings like loaves and fishes.

The bank that turns the other check.

We've resurrected great customer service.

Upon this rock I build my bank.

Render unto Cesar that which is Cesar's, but render unto Riverview no ATM fees.

[BiggJawn]

9. Yes he does...

But Moses INVESTS!

Oh, I'm SO bad!

[maxrandb]

10. More Slogans

Your Money Earns a Righteous Return at Riverview.

He died for your sins, we die for your money.

Riverview Bank, because you just can't take it with you.

Put your faith in Jesus, and your Trust Fund with us.

With Riverview you can mortgage your home without mortgaging your soul.

Invest with us, because sometimes faith just isn't enough.

[htuttle]

5. Think they'd mind if I went in there and kicked all the tables over?

I get a strange compulsion to do that when I read this story -- which is weird, since I'm not even a Christian.

:shrug:

[neweurope]

8. It is just incredible.

...this European still stares at your country openmouthed.

I'm afraid we'll hear much yet about this new brand of "Christianity".

[Swamp Rat]

11. It goes hand in hand with faith-based governing

[yojon]

14. Jesus Christ, VP in Charge of Lending

I wonder if they charge interest.....

[progressoid]

18. Holy cheese n rice - somedays I just want to blow my brain out

Welcome to the unenlightenment.

[PROGRESSIVE1]

19. "Zie Rivervee-uw Kommnity Bankkk"

This is sickening. This bank knows nothing about Christ's message and ideals.

This Fundie/Facsists have to be stopped.

[genieroze]

20. Sign of the Beast.

:puke:

[Blue_Tires]

21. any time $$$$ and 'the lord's work' are combined

you can bank on being robbed 10 times out of 10

[elemnopee]

24. supply side Jesus in full effect

If one can create a religous basis for enviornmental degredation, why not for banking.

Except Jesus was jewish and they have strict laws, especially in his time regarding banking, ie when Jesus dispelled the money changers from the temple.

[VegasWolf]

25. Really guys! It's just marketing to the local ignorant fundies. n/t

[maxrandb]

28. I'm with you VW

but don't you think there is a special place in hell for people like this who use the lords name in advertising?

I can't think of anything more vain than that.

[Sara Beverley]

29. So, if you are not a Christian, you don't get the loan?

That's the real danger of so separation between church and state. Get ready for more of this to come: in housing, jobs, etc.