Creflo Dollar Megachurch minister (Atlanta) asks for $60 million to purchase a jet. (Clayton: costs, shops)

[Saintmarks]

Originally Posted by AnsleyPark

Indeed. I know churches do not pay income tax. But will they pay sales tax on such a purchase?

They don't pay income tax on the tithes, offerings and gifts given, no, nor is property taxed. But they do pay income tax on pastor and staff salaries just like any other business. They pay sales tax on everything purchased for use by the church. Same with non profits and there are plenty of non-religious non profits with head honchos making pretty good salaries as well.

I know some of these big names do not take a salary from their church as they are millionaires on book sales alone. Any time Joel Osteen puts out a book it is a best seller. Can't vouch for sure, but I believe he doesn't take a salary from the church. Doesn't need to.

[samiwas1]

Originally Posted by -thomass

Sami, you can't get into heaven unless you buy rev dollar a jet.

Well, I have no plans to end up there anyways, so I don't think I'll be sending him anything. Maybe he can help me catch up with my kid's Autism therapy bills first.

Originally Posted by Saintmarks

The fact that he has a booming church that has been around for a couple of decades or more, you must give the guy more credit than that. If he were nothing more than a snake oil salesman, the church would not be what it is. It's obviously made believers out of enough that it has become what it is. Not your cup of tea? That's fine. Not really mine either. But give the guy some credit. If people want to help him buy a plane, all power to him and them. I won't be sending a check, but I don't begrudge nor judge anyone who does.

I'll give the guy credit for being extremely convincing, apparently. Sorry, but I just don't buy the act from someone who owns multiple multi-million dollar mansions, multiple Rolls Royces, private planes, and God knows what else, while refusing to offer any transparency as to the actual financial workings of his ministry, and while claiming that he's out to help people.

I work from time to time with one of these types. Even the people who cannot stand him get caught up in his ability to just charm everyone around him, and those who don't know better think he is just an absolutely amazingly talented person. When he's in front of you, you are the world. When you leave the room, you're nothing more than the dirt making up that world. Every time a new project is started, management says that "this time, there will be no bowing to him and we will keep him under control. He is not to have any contact with vendors or contractors." Yet, every single time, he ends up charming his way in. And he, too, has been doing it for the better part of two decades.

Nope...don't buy it. But people of faith tend to get caught up in such things. That's why they call it "faith".

[toll_booth]

Originally Posted by arjay57

Nobody raises an eyebrow when billionaires, corporate CEOs and arab sheiks zoom around in expensive jets. Why should a mega preacher be any different?

Because they are equally useful?

[ahope1980]

The point is that Creflo and the other pastors mentioned are not following Jesus. Born to a carpenter, lived in poverty, never owned a home, pretty much the antithesis of what these men and women are doing. It's disgusting and not a representation of true Christianity. If the prosperity gospel was true, Africa would be the most affluent continent in the world. Listen to pastors who preach Scripture in context and study for yourself. Just hate that Christianity is represented to many by these false teachers. Rant over.

[JPD]

Originally Posted by Atlwarrior

after 29 years of ministry in little ole College Park, it is still standing without no sex or IRS auditing non-profit financial scandal.

True. Creflo's been too busy beating his kids to get involved in financial scandals.

[arjay57]

Originally Posted by samiwas1

CEOs work for for-profit companies who "pay" taxes (when they aren't avoiding or evading them).

Creflo Dollar runs a non-profit, mostly tax-free ministry under the guise of helping others. He claims he's collecting money to change the world, but instead seems to buy himself a whole lot of luxury items, including one of the single most lavish private jets available.

Those two things are very different. Surely you know that.

By the way, plenty of non-profit employees make $1 million a year or more.

These 9 Nonprofit Executives Made Over $1-Million - TheStreet

Higher Ed Association Paydays

[samiwas1]

Originally Posted by arjay57

By the way, plenty of non-profit employees make $1 million a year or more.

These 9 Nonprofit Executives Made Over $1-Million - TheStreet

Higher Ed Association Paydays

Yeah, and? Do you think I agree with all that, too, and I'm just singling out Dollar? I don't discuss political-type issues on this board too often, as I save that for a different one (NOT the city-data brain-rotting politics forum...my brain couldn't handle the idiocy there), but I am pretty much not a fan of super-huge salaries, especially for some non-profits. Goodwill, really?

But someone who makes a million or two a year probably isn't the owner of multiple mansions, extreme luxury cars, and $65 million aircraft. Especially in the name of Jesus and helping people.

[arjay57]

Originally Posted by samiwas1

Yeah, and? Do you think I agree with all that, too, and I'm just singling out Dollar? I don't discuss political-type issues on this board too often, as I save that for a different one (NOT the city-data brain-rotting politics forum...my brain couldn't handle the idiocy there), but I am pretty much not a fan of super-huge salaries, especially for some non-profits. Goodwill, really?

But someone who makes a million or two a year probably isn't the owner of multiple mansions, extreme luxury cars, and $65 million aircraft. Especially in the name of Jesus and helping people.

I'm not fighting with you and I'm not saying they deserve it.

I just made the observation that Rev. Dollar is not out of line for megapreachers and other bigwigs -- including nonprofits -- from many walks of life.

[Clayton white guy]

Above all, Jesus called His bishops (pastors) to be humble. My pastor is a noted speaker and flies all over the United States weekly: commercial. Usually Delta, it is the hometown airline.

[SAAN]

How about he just fix the current jet!!!

If Delta, American, United, etc has an engine failure, they replace the engine and continue to fly the plane, not just give up on a 50-200 million dollar plane and buy a new one.

I wonder if they were even maintaining this jet properly or it was just a freak accident.