We live in scary times, and if you don't believe me, then read this.

Though this is an isolated incident of misplaced anger, it does raise the issue of the status of many of the religious institutions in societies around the world and how they have contributed to current economic problems as well as ameliorated them.

It is possible that the tax-exempt status of these institutions may be challenged in the West as they were in non-democratic states during hard economic times.

And the concept of donations to such institutions as "giving" may finally be under scrutiny, even more so than in past downturns which were softened by the interventions of governments in the unregulated private sectors.

A true gift is something one individual gives to another without any expectation of material gain for the giver. It is nothing like debts and debtors. It is also considered utopic by the givers who expect influence and control at the very least, or profit at best (or should I say worst?) through publicity or real income.

People are turning to "guns and religion" as our president once said in a moment of clarity that got him into hot water, as such sudden revelations often do outside the narrow confines of political comedy. False charity is making a "gift" that is tax deductible thereby avoiding sharing the burdens of justice and peace. A "free" financial system is only free for the taking by those who can best afford it. Spiritual freedom is free.