Newton's Cat

Once upon a time there was man who owned a small hotel in Wales. Business was very bad. The poor man was on the verge of suicide. One evening, as he gazed out of his hotel window, God spoke to him:

"Build a church!" God said.

Now, building regulations were such that he was able to build a church on his land without planning permission. People came to the church. People came to the religious gatherings he organised. His hotel was filled. People came with their caravans and tents.

God saved him from bankruptcy and ruin.

Queen of Swords

What relevance does this fairy tale have to the General Religious Discussions forum?

Was he also able to build a church without materials and labor? Did church bells and pews fall on him like manna from heaven?

Where did he find the minister, the choir, the organist and so on?

If they had caravans and tents, why did they need his hotel?

And the prince married the beautiful princess and they all lived happily ever after.

I've worked in a church, and I've seen some of the nitty-gritty behind-the-scenes stuff that goes into actually running a church. Therefore, this story fails miserably on both the realistic and the proselytizing fronts.

IsItJustMe

Oh, dear. Poor fellow!

Newton's Cat

"We are now going to have a collection."

Someone goes over to the church door, rattles the handle (as if locking it) and stands by the door as the collection is made - by people who hold the collection boxes in front of each member of the congregation.

The fake "miraculous healing" sessions were very well-orchestrated.

Having made a "substantial" sum from this lucrative business he went to America - the Land of Opportunity.

drewjmore

Who is the man? Who? WHO?

Sarpedon

What is the name of the hotel, and the church. You say its in Wales? If so, in what town? What are their addresses?

And who goes to stay in a hotel when they go to church? Most people attend a church that is convenient to their homes. Did he also make a fake relic to attract pilgrims? What made this church worth travelling miles to see?

And even if its true, what does it have to do with god? He might have made a porno theater and attracted customers instead. How do conclude that 'god' saved the man when it looks like he simply made a tourist attraction to bring money in, like so many people do? It could have just as easily been 'Wales' Biggest Ball of Twine."

And you say "At that time, he could build a church without planning approval?" What time is that? is it 'once upon a time' perhaps?

Queen of Swords

Especially a hotel designed by a mad architect, since the story says, "One evening, as he gazed out of his hotel window". Window, in the singular. The entire hotel had but a single window. Maybe it was built along the same lines as Noah's ark.