Tax, Wealth & Christ-stain Hypocrisy - Page 3

Stargazer · 03-20-2012, 02:31 PM

And what about all the valuable manuscripts they're hiding in the Vatican supposedly to "preserve" them, but I suspect because what they say contradicts the Bible?

Only recently have they allowed scientists to study the Dead Sea Scrolls at all.

Kinich Ahau · 03-20-2012, 09:01 PM

That's right! Especially the Leprechaun Gospels and Jesus' Sports Betting Book.

Stargazer · 03-21-2012, 03:09 AM

Quote:

Kinich Ahau wrote

That's right! Especially the Leprechaun Gospels and Jesus' Sports Betting Book.

When are they EVER going to release those so Ghoulslime can translate them for us?

Can you imagine what life would be like then?

Smellyoldgit · 03-22-2012, 06:02 AM

Looks like the god-botherers in Korea could well be paying tax on their bullshit before too long.

Quote:

Minister of Strategy and Finance Bahk Jae-wan reignited the old debate over taxing religions. “Religious people should in principle pay taxes as well,” he said. There is no legal base for the tax exemption for religious groups and members. Yet they enjoyed venerable tax status out of customs and tradition.

About time tax free privilege was ditched worldwide methinks.

Eternal · 03-22-2012, 01:39 PM

More good stuff. The pressure is mounting and this time not just in their bowels.

Stargazer · 03-22-2012, 02:57 PM

Quote:

Smellyoldgit wrote

Looks like the god-botherers in Korea could well be paying tax on their bullshit before too long.

About time tax free privilege was ditched worldwide methinks.

First Italy, now Korea. Hopefully the US will be next. Think of the revenue. It will totally pull us out of the deficit problem.

Smellyoldgit · 03-23-2012, 06:01 AM

These little stories seem to crop up all over the place.

Quote:

Pope Benedict XVI has appointed a German bishop who had been accused of financial irregularities and hitting children to the Vatican's health care council.

Hitting kids and fiddling the books must take an extra special sort of dodgy prick dontcha think?

Kinich Ahau · 03-23-2012, 07:25 AM

At least he's not hitting the books and fiddling the kids.

I wonder if they report that on the site.

Stargazer · 03-23-2012, 03:45 PM

Quote:

Smellyoldgit wrote

These little stories seem to crop up all over the place.

Hitting kids and fiddling the books must take an extra special sort of dodgy prick dontcha think?

That's because there is no one with a clean record to appoint.

Davin · 03-26-2012, 08:15 AM

That is probably true.

Smellyoldgit · 03-31-2012, 11:29 AM

Our good ol' Church of England launches an e-whinge in an attempt to avoid paying more tax on its property repairs.
I might not object if they were opening their buildings to provide services that more ordinary folk would appreciate - like 24 hour pubs, brothels, pot cafes and a few porn cinemas. Perhaps I'll launch my own petition ......

Stargazer · 03-31-2012, 02:12 PM

Quote:

Smellyoldgit wrote

Our good ol' Church of England launches an e-whinge in an attempt to avoid paying more tax on its property repairs.
I might not object if they were opening their buildings to provide services that more ordinary folk would appreciate - like 24 hour pubs, brothels, pot cafes and a few porn cinemas. Perhaps I'll launch my own petition ......

One service ordinary folks would appreciate: assistance to the poor that doesn't come with a price - pressure to convert. It would be nice to see the church fulfill its self-imposed charitable function without any reference to God or Jesus whatsoever. Just provide help.

Bet that won't fly.

dogpet · 03-31-2012, 02:48 PM

Quote:

Smellyoldgit wrote

Our good ol' Church of England launches an e-whinge in an attempt to avoid paying more tax on its property repairs.
I might not object if they were opening their buildings to provide services that more ordinary folk would appreciate - like 24 hour pubs, brothels, pot cafes and a few porn cinemas. Perhaps I'll launch my own petition ......

The Romans will be okeh, because their pikeys will replace a few slates cash in hand, & they never swipe any lead off the virgin's church

All the cofe builders must be so plastic.

Smellyoldgit · 04-02-2012, 05:28 AM

Jayzus Bollocking Christ - how many more stories like this will it take for the happless mass of duped fools to realise just how much of a ride they're being taken for?

Quote:

Preachers in the eye of a storm

They say they are doing God's work, but a lawsuit alleges that the charismatic founders of a Christian TV network have frittered millions on jets, cars and a motor home for their dogs

For me, the seemingly unregulated, uncontrolled criminal activities of these theiving scumbag pricks is the primary reason this "god's work" horseshit propagates. Tax the fuckers up to their bollocks and we might get something semi-decent back on our teles.

Irreligious · 04-02-2012, 10:25 AM

My responses to some pullouts from the article to which Smelly linked:

Quote:

(Ministrywatch's founder, Rusty) Leonard cites TBN as one of the world's 30 worst
ministries, and argues that its style of fundraising is antithetical to Christian beliefs. "Prosperity theology turns the gospel upside down," he says. "Jesus didn't live a wealthy lifestyle. He was the exact opposite. To see God as some kind of Santa Claus is just completely bogus."

Always wondered why some Christians see Christianity as a monolith when it is so obviously not the case.

Christian beliefs are quite varied and very malleable, providing psychological comfort to a wide array of people, from the slave to the slave master, who live disparate realities, are focused on meeting different needs and tethered to a multitude of competing interests.

I think it could be argued that the religion's longevity and pervasiveness are owed, in large part, to the fact that Christianity has the potential to be all things to all people (those who are willing or compelled to buy into it, that is).

In a world where the deprived are often despised by "those who have," some Christians may feel in desperate need of a celestial Santa Claus. But how do you convince some admittedly grownup people that there is no Santa Claus, just a plethora of very earthbound, cynical and highly motivated Grinches who are adept at amassing sheep and fleecing the flock?

Quote:

Like many televangelist organisations before it, TBN has survived its share of legal difficulties. In the 1990s, Paul Crouch secretly paid an accuser $425,000 to keep quiet about an alleged homosexual encounter. When the payment was revealed, he denied the sexual allegations, saying he settled to avoid a costly trial.

What a cliche.

I sometimes wonder if these folks' obsession with demonizing gay sex is nothing more than an attempt at deflection from their own sexual behavior.

Quote:

Regarding the substance of (former TBN Finance Director Brittany Koper's) allegations, made in a legal action in which TBN is not a defendant, (TBN lawyer Colby May) admitted that the network does own two private jets. However, he argued that these are essential for its day-to-day activities. "Because Dr and Mrs Crouch are public figures and receive regular death threats, public aviation and travel is impossible for them," (May) argued.

Interesting that the Crouches don't seem to trust their god to protect them from harm. The Jesus of the Bible did not require bodyguards or a gilded fortress to operate his ministry. The character in the Gospels had only the power of his convictions. That is, his faith. Well, that and omniscience.