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. church charities don't come with strings attached like most other charities... they don't preach either like your misguided stereotypical rhetoric favors... I don't think the church is excused for paying taxes, but I don't pretend to have some select favorites of what other people think to be exempt.
Thous doest protest too much. If you read my posts you'd see my concerns about Islam, Scientology and the like - ALL "Churches" in the sense of this post.
As to "doing work with no strings", the local Salvation Army species that a homeless person must not be "on" booze or drugs to eat and sleep there.
MANY churches has "strings" of 10% and more than they require people who attend to pay.
I mean, if you really feel strongly that gold plated temples to Vishnu, Private Jets, 10+ Million dollar houses (Osteen) and the like should be "tax deductible", you have to make the case for it.
As I have already expressed, we should use criteria. If a Church does true charity work - and helps society in an efficient manner, that portion of money may be applicable for a tax break.
But giving Scientologists one for their charging of Celebrities MILLIONS to achieve "clarity" is not something the Constitution give Congress taxing (or de-taxing) power over...IMHO.
I don't get a tax break when I do lots of things for friends and society.
Thous doest protest too much. If you read my posts you'd see my concerns about Islam, Scientology and the like - ALL "Churches" in the sense of this post.
As to "doing work with no strings", the local Salvation Army species that a homeless person must not be "on" booze or drugs to eat and sleep there.
MANY churches has "strings" of 10% and more than they require people who attend to pay.
I mean, if you really feel strongly that gold plated temples to Vishnu, Private Jets, 10+ Million dollar houses (Osteen) and the like should be "tax deductible", you have to make the case for it.
As I have already expressed, we should use criteria. If a Church does true charity work - and helps society in an efficient manner, that portion of money may be applicable for a tax break.
But giving Scientologists one for their charging of Celebrities MILLIONS to achieve "clarity" is not something the Constitution give Congress taxing (or de-taxing) power over...IMHO.
I don't get a tax break when I do lots of things for friends and society.
Are you saying Olsteen didn't pay taxes on his income from his books or salary (if he gets one) or pay property taxes on his home?
Lower corporate tax rates to 0% which would make the US unbeatable in exports to world markets while guaranteeing job and income growth for all Americans.
Thing is if the economy is going full out throttle government handouts aren't needed.
Are you paid by the Kochs or Waltons?
It's really hard for me to imagine a regular citizen pushing for more debt and deficit at the expense of the working person...and that is certainly what you are doing.
Why not, on the other hand, eliminate ALL taxes on working Americans and raise them on Corporations? This would be more in keeping with the ideals of our founders (who didn't believe in BS theories they read on web sites, etc.).
You are making up your "unbeatable" BS from thin air. Vast numbers of corporations pay ZERO in tax and they are not "unbeatable" and somehow making our debt and deficit disappear. 40% of the Fortune 500 had at least one year recently when they paid ZERO in tax.
C'mon - at least put forward a reasonable argument. I think I'd have to end my life if I honestly thought the working man was so brainwashed as to push for Corporations to benefit while he suffers. Where the heck did this come from? What normal person wakes up in the morning and thinks "If only Apple paid zero in taxes that would make things better for me and everyone else"?
The US is already "unbeatable" in certain places - for example, Boston (life sciences), Silicon Valley (everything), S. Cal (entertainment, aerospace) and MANY other areas. Surprise - ALL of these areas are highly taxed. Evidence shows just the opposite of what you claim...
Are you saying Olsteen didn't pay taxes on his income from his books or salary (if he gets one) or pay property taxes on his home?
I was lead to believe that Lakewood Church does not pay him a salary his holdings come from the book and media sales to those members and others who watch on TV. Partners is the term used by those big media ministries
I was lead to believe that Lakewood Church does not pay him a salary his holdings come from the book and media sales to those members and others who watch on TV. Partners is the term used by those big media ministries
I guess he didn't take a Vow of Poverty eh?
This is ALL funny money. He is using the Church and it's tax deductible status to raise money and fame - and then taking the results of that privately....which, if true, is even worse than if it were a Parish House.
Isn't he supposed to be helping the weak and feeding the hungry with such $$$?
These are the perfect examples of why Churches should be taxed. As one posted noted - let's look at the houses they live in and decide whether they need a break or not.
My friend, who is a Priest, iives in a row house in a poor area with other priests...not because he lacks "talent" like Osteen, but because that is what being spiritual means.
If one has a Bible and reads "easier for a camel though eye of needle than rich man enters the Kingdom" - that should explain it all right there. The government would be doing Churches a great spiritual favor by taxing them.
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