Xi was a Party loyalist with pro-market sensibilities, whose building of a successful theme park had earned him the nickname the God of Wealth.

NEWYORKER: The Forbidden Zone

Some members of the public joked about wearing masks and goggles to brave the incense fumes and smog to pray for blessings from the God of Wealth, an especially popular deity during Chinese New Year, the newspaper notes.

BBC: China media: Wukan frustration

Given standard Christian theology, compulsory transfers of wealth subvert God's will.

WSJ: Jamie Whyte: What Would Jesus Do? Nothing.

Indeed, spirituality lies at the heart of Diwali, with devotees specifically seeking blessings from two prominent Hindu deities: Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and Ganesh, the elephant-headed god of good fortune and auspicious beginnings.

BBC: India��s festival of lights

This is perhaps the most radical teaching of faith that the value of life is not contingent on wealth or strength or skill, that value is a reflection of God's image.

CNN: Text of Bush's Notre Dame speech

On the wall behind his chair he had hung gold foil images of Lakshmi, goddess of wealth, and the fat elephant god, Ganapati.

NEWYORKER: The Elephant

Let us remember that we can do these things not just because of wealth or power, but because of who we are: one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

WHITEHOUSE: President Obama on Death of Osama bin Laden