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This is why I hate organized religion


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2020 Dec 16, 10:54am   1,121 views  18 comments

by Bd6r   ➕follow (2)   💰tip   ignore  

https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/religion/article/Joel-Osteen-s-Lakewood-Church-got-4-4M-in-15800887.php

Some point to the multimillion dollar loans received by large religious institutions and churches, including Joel Osteen’s Lakewood Church, as evidence that the federal government should require more financial disclosures from those receiving money through the first-of-its-kind program.

Lakewood was among the at least 60 religious institutions in Texas that received more than $1 million in loans through the stimulus package, according to new data released by the Small Business Administration.

At $4.4 million, the Houston megachurch’s loan was just ahead of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston, which received about $4 million. The Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese also received about $4.5 million.

Why would State help organization that pays not taxes? And why is gubbermint directly funding religion?

An added bonus in money to Catholic church. Apparently they need extra funds to molest kids more efficiently.

Comments 1 - 18 of 18        Search these comments

1   Onvacation   2020 Dec 16, 11:02am  

Reminds me of Jim and Tammy Baker. My great Aunt and Uncle in east Texas were dedicated dues paying members to those charlatans.

Beside the point. There is only one true religion; Mine!
2   Bd6r   2020 Dec 16, 11:06am  

yeah, Osteen's wife elbowed stewardess because of spilled coffee. Sounds extremely Christian to me.

One thing I don't understand is why people give money to such entitled fucks.
3   Onvacation   2020 Dec 16, 11:22am  

I was raised in a southern Baptist family that seldom went. "You are all sinners, there is nothing you can do but accept Christ's forgiveness, and donate to the plate here."

We moved a lot and our parents sent us to the local Christian church for Sunday school though they never went. I remember one X-mas when my parents came to see the Christmas show we had been practicing and at that point we started going to a new church because they didn't like the message.

I studied religion in college and visited many different churches. One of the most useful experiences was a beginners meditation class at the Zen center in San Francisco. It's good to be able to connect with that centered place of peace that we all have. After the lesson some famous Buddhist scholar from Tibet or some such was giving a talk. I was listening near the back of the room and our meditation class teacher with wide eyes whispered to her colleague, "That's not what Buddha said" in response to one of the scholar's comments.

Great teachers come into the world with lessons on how to live. Con artists start churches to worship these teachers instead of following the lesson. Fools follow.

If Christ came back to the world I suspect that most Christian religions would crucify him.

Having said all that I think many churches, including the catholic, do a lot of good in the world that probably far outweighs the harm of the few sociopaths that are just using religion to make a buck.
4   Dholliday126   2020 Dec 16, 11:23am  

How much did Sierra Club, Greenpeace, Southern Poverty Law Center, ACLU, Planned Parenthood get??

Church's are businesses. Just like all those tax-exempted "charities" above. Why would you assume they don't need payroll help or a loan?
5   Bd6r   2020 Dec 16, 11:30am  

Dholliday126 says
How much did Sierra Club, Greenpeace, Southern Poverty Law Center, ACLU, Planned Parenthood get??

Church's are businesses. Just like all those tax-exempted "charities" above. Why would you assume they don't need payroll help or a loan?

None of them should have gotten a red cent.
6   Dholliday126   2020 Dec 16, 11:38am  

Dbr6 says
Dholliday126 says
How much did Sierra Club, Greenpeace, Southern Poverty Law Center, ACLU, Planned Parenthood get??

Church's are businesses. Just like all those tax-exempted "charities" above. Why would you assume they don't need payroll help or a loan?

None of them should have gotten a red cent.


Ah...agreed
7   MisdemeanorRebel   2020 Dec 16, 12:14pm  

My answer to atheists who want to remove the tax-exempt status of churches is: "Fine, as long as there's no tax exemptions for BLM/1000 Currents, ACLU, etc."
8   FortWayneAsNancyPelosiHaircut   2020 Dec 16, 12:38pm  

a problem with financial incentives is that once there is money, lots of people go for it. they'll pretend to even be religious in order to get it. we have a local group here that promotes religion to lgbt (to the fucking homos), why? Because there is money in doing it, purely a business play.
9   Bd6r   2020 Dec 16, 1:54pm  

NoCoupForYou says
My answer to atheists who want to remove the tax-exempt status of churches is: "Fine, as long as there's no tax exemptions for BLM/1000 Currents, ACLU, etc."

And limit nonprofit salaries to salary of US Prez. If someone wants to make money, they should go into for-profit business.
About tax exemptions, they are prob abused left and right in nonprofits. Basically, profits of non-profits are paid out in the salaries for DEAR! LEADER!
10   EBGuy   2020 Dec 16, 2:14pm  

Dbr6 says
And limit nonprofit salaries to salary of US Prez.

Now that's an interesting idea. I've never understood why something like that hasn't taken off.
11   Bd6r   2020 Dec 16, 2:25pm  

EBGuy says
Dbr6 says
And limit nonprofit salaries to salary of US Prez.

Now that's an interesting idea. I've never understood why something like that hasn't taken off.

While we are at it, do it also for any State employees. I don't see why a taxpayer-funded college president should earn 3 times as much as US Prez...
12   clambo   2020 Dec 16, 2:28pm  

The USA taxpayers should not be giving a dime to churches.
Actually, Joel Osteen is avoiding taxes for his self help enterprise by claiming it is a sermon.
Tax them all.
At least Tony Robbins doesn’t claim to be a “preacher”, so he might pay some taxes.
A pox on them all.
13   Blue   2020 Dec 16, 3:44pm  

Religious orgs don't do any good than any real business. Most of the constitutions around are influenced by f. religions to grab stuff from hard working folks both legally and illegally. Religion is s... t since there's no f. god exists.
14   Dholliday126   2020 Dec 16, 3:51pm  

Blue says
Religious orgs don't do any good than any real business. Most of the constitutions around are influenced by f. religions to grab stuff from hard working folks both legally and illegally. Religion is s... t since there's no f. god exists.


Everyone has a religion or you just a nihilist? Some would say atheism is a "religion". Because it's a belief, no diety although some would argue you become the diety...
15   SunnyvaleCA   2020 Dec 16, 4:17pm  

Dholliday126 says
Blue says
Religious orgs don't do any good than any real business. Most of the constitutions around are influenced by f. religions to grab stuff from hard working folks both legally and illegally. Religion is s... t since there's no f. god exists.


Everyone has a religion or you just a nihilist? Some would say atheism is a "religion". Because it's a belief, no diety although some would argue you become the diety...
Sure, everyone can have a "religion." However, the IRS disallows tax benefits for some. Otherwise, I'd be starting my "Church of Income Tax Salvation."
16   Bd6r   2020 Dec 16, 4:21pm  

SunnyvaleCA says
Otherwise, I'd be starting my "Church of Income Tax Salvation."

if your tithes are lower than income tax I'd join in a second!
17   clambo   2020 Dec 16, 5:52pm  

I’m starting a church in Riviera Beach based on ass worship.
“Baptism” is having baby oil (“holy water”) drizzled on the female ass and the high priest slaps it ; “you are welcome in our ass church.”
Acolytes are hot chicks with a big azz.
It will be on TV 24/7 like Jimmy Swaggart.
Dudes pay admission to attend the “Azz Church”
Mo money, mo money.
There have been sillier ideas for a church.
18   Patrick   2022 Feb 3, 2:09pm  

https://www.dailywire.com/news/how-the-federal-government-used-evangelical-leaders-to-spread-covid-propaganda-to-churches?source=patrick.net


How The Federal Government Used Evangelical Leaders To Spread Covid Propaganda To Churches


(paywall)

This is another reason to be suspicious of organized religion. They quickly become puppets of the oligarchy. They always have.

I'm for DISorganized religion, with no hierarchy. Just people who may or may not get together.


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