It is axiomatic that when a dominant firm gives a reason for why competition in its market isn’t good for society one should be skeptical. It’s in its interest to erect barriers to entry. That’s why I was amused to read this:
Proliferation of churches in the society is due to selfishness and greed, the Rt. Rev. Isaac Orama, the Bishop of the Uyo Diocese of the Anglican Communion, has said.
He told newsmen in Uyo that the situation was disturbing, recalling that in the early history of the churches, what could lead to proliferation of churches was “doctrinal differences”.
“But nowadays, churches spring up for greed and selfish reasons because people just want to be church owners.” The Bishop said that one of the reasons that raised the corruption profile in Nigeria was that preachers in churches glorified affluent living, “not minding the source or sources of the affluence.”
Read it all in the business section of the Nigerian Observer.
Of course the bishop’s point of view is the essence of denominations with the episcopate. One does not get to choose his or her bishop. Your bishop is determined by where you live. What is the virtue of that system?