08-20-2007, 08:37 AM | #46 |
Makes some feel uncomfortable
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Churches sell redemption, forgiveness of sins, the path to Heaven. They should be taxed.
I would have more compassion for churches were it not for how those who attend weekly service, but don't "donate" are treated.
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08-20-2007, 10:29 AM | #47 |
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If churches were taxed this would be the natural outcome?
I can't see it either Ibram. Except for homeless shelters and Salvation Armys here I see no community benefit. I figure 30% of my income to the government is enough of a give that even before I left the church I stopped tithing my babys milk money away. |
08-20-2007, 11:28 AM | #48 | |
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Rkz, I'd like to know if you see any differences between a non-profit community theatre troupe and a non-profit church. Should the non-profit theatre troupe be taxed as well? |
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08-20-2007, 11:31 AM | #49 |
why so serious
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I believe there are several churches whose expenditures may be questionable - most of those are larger churches, as in 500 & up in congregation. However, smaller churches, most of the pastors have a secular job to help support their families, because "the giving" pays just the basic bills. As stated earlier, you can't possibly group "all" churches or even other non-profit organizations into one lump sum - they are not all the same and as such are not "run" the same.
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08-20-2007, 12:01 PM | #50 | ||
I think this line's mostly filler.
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08-20-2007, 12:07 PM | #51 | |
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I'm not saying there aren't abuses of the system by churches. I'm troubled by the attitude that seems to be prevalent here that "religion is bad; churches should be abolished." I don't like organized religion myself, but that's because my spirituality is private--between the gods and myself. But I mean, come on-- to say they serve no purpose or provide the community no benefit is inaccurate.
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08-20-2007, 12:09 PM | #52 | |||
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Do not abuse children with ideas about eternal torture, child abuse of any kind should be prosecuted by law at all times. Do not go door-to-door or phone unsolicited, this should be illegal for anyone, not just religion. The tax thing, honestly I poorly worded the title of this thread now that I see that churches are only about half of those that need their tax exempt status removed. Being "active in" and qualifying as an Actual Charity are two things that do not meet anywhere in the middle. I have been active in charity my whole life. I have also BEEN a charity, for three months out of the year for three years in a row... trust me... they are NOT the same thing, not by a LONG SHOT. Quote:
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08-20-2007, 12:09 PM | #53 | |
Makes some feel uncomfortable
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Then what does a church do? On Sunday morning, you goes in, you pays your money, you're forgiven and on track to heaven. I wasn't talking about indulgences, I was talking about fee for service. You pay your donation, and in return, you get......what? Our church gave us a statement of our donations at the end of every year, so it was by no means anonymous, and they printed the previous week's total take in the current week's program.
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08-20-2007, 12:13 PM | #54 | |
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You should be aware though that the Salvation Armys and homeless shelters are Christain organizations. I've done plenty of missions in my youth where we helped out in shelters. |
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08-20-2007, 12:16 PM | #55 |
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Exactly, even though the Salvation army and some of the foreign aid organizations have had their problems, most of them, now, have very good books and would have any issue with this.
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08-20-2007, 12:17 PM | #56 | |
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08-20-2007, 12:20 PM | #57 |
We have to go back, Kate!
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Unless as a nation you are prepared to do what it takes to resolve problems like homelessness, drug-abuse, poverty and assorted other ills, I suggest you allow some of those churches to continue their outreach work. They take up a lot of the slack in the system. There are no doubt many are deserving of greater scrutiny, but just as the Church has historically been a force for obedience and acceptance, it's also often been the one organisation that has sought to ameliorate some of the worst conditions for poor communities.
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08-20-2007, 12:26 PM | #58 | |
Makes some feel uncomfortable
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08-20-2007, 12:32 PM | #59 | |||
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The "fee for service" is actually a valid idea--you are paying for the weekly comfort, the marriage ceremonies, the funerals, the marital counseling, the childcare while you participate... you are also contributing to some amount of direct charity work, though how much varies widely with each church, as rkz has been pointing out. But forgiveness is absolutely not a function of church attendance or monetary donation, in the Protestant faith at any rate. |
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08-20-2007, 12:37 PM | #60 | |
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