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•Five Greatest Environments for Producing Money Makers 127

The total cost of the Scottish Parliament in a year is more than £10 million. As a
Scot long domiciled in England I am enthusiastic about devolution of power to my
native land. I am quite happy for there to be 22 ministers and a further 107 Members
of the Scottish Parliament. There is, however, still a Secretary of State for Scotland
and from where I sit the question is bound to arise – what on earth are they all doing?

Idea 71 – Please God, make me rich – oh, and let some
of it trickle down to the poor

‘His creed no parson ever knew
For this was still his ‘simple plan’
To have with clergymen to do
As little as a Christian can.’

Sir Francis Doyle (1810–1888)

Religion probably has an equal only in war in giving rise to thousands of business

opportunities. From the Egyptian temples and pyramids to the world-wide chain of

mosques and churches, religion has given work to architects, builders,

painters, icon manufacturers, musicians and every other trade and profes- Religion prob-

sion you can think of. It is a sobering thought that without religion Wren ably has an

would have had to design workhouses and customs sheds. Without reli- equal only in

gion what would Michael Angelo have painted or what music would Handel war in giving

have written? rise to

The main churches of the world have been mostly fabulously rich. thousands of

You cannot easily find out how rich they are at the moment. The Vatican business

Bank, for example, still does not publish a profit and loss account or bal- opportunities.

ance sheet.

The evangelists in America use television to bring money pouring in, on their

simple unique selling proposition ‘If you support us, we will support you in your bid