'Transcendent' talk

It's far too easy, especially for the churches, to criticise 'materialism'. And anyway, what does the word actually mean?

It would seem that there is something duplicitous in so much of what the churches have to say about 'materialism'.

Has it simply to do with a power struggle whereby the churches no longer find themselves in positions of control and authority?

Sinn Féin/IRA were accused of a warped idea of democracy - a ballot paper in one hand and an Armalite in the other.

Is it not the same with the churches - top of the range mobile phone in one hand and then 'preaching' about the evils of materialism?

The following sentence, referring to modern Ireland, appears on a religious website: Business prowess is emphasised to the exclusion of the transcendent.

Is there not an arrogance about such a sentiment and is it wise to simplify reality in such a way?

Surely Ireland is a better place to live in today than it was when people crowded into tenement buildings, had no toilet facilities and there was loads of talk about the 'transcendent'.

And better too than an Ireland before the mid-1960s when post primary education was for the rich?