I'm assuming that this applies not only to Marshall, but to others as well? If so, is there any line drawn between online personas like Marshall vis-à-vis those in traditional print? In other words, is it acceptable for lay print apostolates (e.g., The Remnant, Catholic Family News, etc.) to make a living off of something tied to the Catholic faith, but not so for people like Marshall et al.? If so, then why?
Just for starters, a newspaper offers NEWS and EDITORIALS from many Catholic writers. Plus other material, such as reviews, ads, classifieds. Newspapers provide a service. The newspaper is a product, and bigger than any of the personalities working for the paper. The Remnant isn't just Michael Matt's personal blog. Much less a youtube channel where the sole attraction is Michael Matt the "Influencer" (that's a new job title, held by young children with their own popular Youtube channels in some cases)
One could list many other companies that produce PRODUCTS or SERVICES touching on the Catholic Faith, but they are legitimate products or services that command value: Chant CDs, Catholic homeschool curriculum, missals, books, chapel veils, statues, artwork, etc.
In the case of Taylor Marshall, you're paying for a layman's two cents, a layman's preaching, a cheap Catholic version of a protestant preacher, basically. Why would I put money in the plate for some layman to give me his take on the Bible, living as a Christian/Catholic, the Crisis, or anything else? I have my own opinions which are probably more valid, or at least have just as much chance of being right. Actually, if I were protestant I probably wouldn't go to church at all, since I'd reason that I can interpret Scripture just as well as the "minister". Why should I help pay his bills, so he can spout off his own opinions full-time? He's not ordained, he has no special power that I don't have. Heck, most protty ministers aren't even full-time working for God; they have wives and kids like everyone else. So they probably spend LESS time praying, studying and thinking about God than many of their protestant parishioners!
But returning to the topic of Catholic-related businesses and services -- CathInfo would also fit into this category. You don't come here because you're a "Matthew" fanboy. My posts make up a small sliver of the content on this forum. The forum is much bigger than me, much bigger than any of us. But someone has to pay the bills, keep everything running smoothly, maintain the server, software, keep out hackers, ban troublemakers, etc.
Nevertheless, one should note I'm
not seeking a full time salary for my CathInfo "apostolate". Actually if I worked a few hours a week at McDonald's I would take home more
profit. CathInfo only covered part of its electricity/Internet expense BEFORE my ad revenue went off a cliff in January 2021.