“Who’s Got God’s Millions?” is a captivating exploration led by Robert Llewellyn, as he embarks on a journey to uncover the financial fortunes of the world’s top four monotheistic religions. With a curious and skeptical perspective as an atheist, Llewellyn sets out to determine which of these faiths holds the greatest wealth: Anglicanism, Catholicism, Judaism, or Islam.
The documentary takes us on a captivating quest, starting at Canterbury Cathedral, the epicenter of Anglicanism. Surprisingly, financial figures for the Church of England are readily available, shedding light on its economic standing. Llewellyn then ventures to Westminster Cathedral, seeking insight into the Catholic Church’s financial status in England. However, as he soon discovers, Vatican City becomes a mysterious and elusive subject, veiled in secrecy and reluctance to disclose its true financial situation.
The journey continues to Jerusalem, where Llewellyn explores the financial landscape of Judaism. However, even the Israeli government struggles to provide concrete figures, leaving Llewellyn pondering the wealth held by synagogues scattered across the country. With humor and intrigue, he engages with Ariel Catane of the National Authority of Religious Services, who humorously remarks that when it comes to the number of synagogues, there’s only one God – a testament to the challenges of quantifying wealth in the religious realm.
In his quest to assess the wealth of Islam, Llewellyn visits the East London Mosque. Although statistics are available, he encounters a roadblock when attempting to conduct an audit of the UK’s 1,600 mosques. Furthermore, his attempts to gather global income data for Islam are met with resistance from the embassies of the world’s major Muslim countries.
Undeterred by the obstacles, Llewellyn persists in his mission to ascertain the wealth of each faith. Through meticulous research and interviews, he endeavors to piece together the financial puzzle, ultimately arriving at a total figure. The suspense builds as viewers eagerly await the revelation of which religion reigns as the richest.
“Who’s Got God’s Millions?” offers a unique and thought-provoking exploration of the financial landscape within religious institutions. By shedding light on the economic dimensions of these faiths, the documentary prompts important questions about the intersection of religion and wealth. It challenges preconceptions, sparks conversations, and encourages a deeper understanding of the economic complexities embedded within the world’s major religions.
Throughout the documentary, Llewellyn’s engaging and humorous approach keeps viewers captivated. His candid observations and persistent pursuit of information offer a refreshing perspective on a sensitive topic. By venturing into the financial realms of these religions, he unveils the complexities and nuances that exist beyond the spiritual dimensions.
In an era of global financial crises and debates surrounding economic inequality, “Who’s Got God’s Millions?” presents a timely exploration. It highlights the importance of transparency and accountability within religious institutions and invites viewers to consider the impact of wealth on the practice and perception of faith.
Ultimately, this documentary provides a glimpse into a lesser-explored aspect of religion, inviting us to contemplate the complexities of wealth and spirituality. It challenges our assumptions, stimulates critical thinking, and encourages a broader understanding of the interplay between religion, finance, and society.
“Who’s Got God’s Millions?” is a compelling and enlightening exploration that invites viewers to ponder the age-old question of who truly holds the wealth within the world’s major religions.
