Freedom of Religion

[imported_Shivetya]

A Redford Township church that believes wealth is God's reward is raising eyebrows for buying its pastor a $3.65 million mansion and taking it off the tax rolls.

Separation of Church and State; which occurs no where in the Constitution or Bill or Rights, bites back. Sucks to be those county commissioners. Up front, I don't really think anything but the actual House of God (the physical Church and its immediate grounds) should be immune from taxes this opens a whole new avenue of fun.

I think this guy is fleecing his followers, but this is to be expected as there are many people who buy into the delusion that their position earns them the right to have stuff at other people's expense. Using someone else's faith to accomplish your goals monetarily is pretty lame.

 

[1prophet]

This here is an example of the real reason christianity is failing in America, not abortion, homosexuality, etc.



I don't expect the man or his family to live in the poor house but by taking that house off the taxrolls the municipality will have to come up with the money elsewhere, and usually that is a tax increase since cutting services is not too popular.

 

[mithrandir2001]

The County isn't getting fleeced as much as the church's followers who fell for the Gibert's scheme. This is hysterical. Come on, people: give, give! That mansion could use a Rolls out front.

 

[1prophet]

Jesus He Knows Me (and He knows I'm right)

 

[smack Down]

I don't see anything in the 1st that makes it so churches shouldn't have to pay taxes.

 

[1prophet]

Originally posted by: smack Down
I don't see anything in the 1st that makes it so churches shouldn't have to pay taxes.

If they pay taxes then they can preach politics from the pulpit ( endorse and campaign for political candidates) without fear of the IRS coming after them like it does now.

 

[EagleKeeper]

Originally posted by: 1prophet

Originally posted by: smack Down
I don't see anything in the 1st that makes it so churches shouldn't have to pay taxes.

If they pay taxes then they can preach politics from the pulpit ( endorse and campaign for political candidates) without fear of the IRS coming after them like it does now.

Problem is that, does the IRS really come after them?

So, these religious scammers (from Nigeria?) get the best of both situations.

 

[jrenz]

Originally posted by: smack Down
I don't see anything in the 1st that makes it so churches shouldn't have to pay taxes.

Most non-profit and charitable groups don't pay taxes.

 

[her209]

Originally posted by: 1prophet

Originally posted by: smack Down
I don't see anything in the 1st that makes it so churches shouldn't have to pay taxes.

If they pay taxes then they can preach politics from the pulpit ( endorse and campaign for political candidates) without fear of the IRS coming after them like it does now.

Don't they do that now anyways?

 

[1prophet]

Originally posted by: her209

Originally posted by: 1prophet

Originally posted by: smack Down
I don't see anything in the 1st that makes it so churches shouldn't have to pay taxes.

If they pay taxes then they can preach politics from the pulpit ( endorse and campaign for political candidates) without fear of the IRS coming after them like it does now.

Don't they do that now anyways?

This is what can happen if you do.


The Church at Pierce Creek near Binghamton, N.Y., lost its tax-exempt status in 1995 after the IRS determined it had violated federal tax law by publishing a full-page ad in USA Today in late October of 1992 advising people that voting for presidential candidate Bill Clinton was a sin and soliciting tax-exempt donations to defray the cost of the ad. The church sued in federal court to regain its tax-exempt status, but a federal appellate court ruled unanimously that the IRS was right to revoke the church?s tax-exempt status.

 

[JD50]

Originally posted by: her209

Originally posted by: 1prophet

Originally posted by: smack Down
I don't see anything in the 1st that makes it so churches shouldn't have to pay taxes.

If they pay taxes then they can preach politics from the pulpit ( endorse and campaign for political candidates) without fear of the IRS coming after them like it does now.

Don't they do that now anyways?

Not at any church that I have been to, they actually make an effort to not preach any kind of politics. You could always go to church and find out yourself, I promise that us evil christians won't bite. :laugh:

 

[her209]

Originally posted by: JD50

Originally posted by: her209

Originally posted by: 1prophet

Originally posted by: smack Down
I don't see anything in the 1st that makes it so churches shouldn't have to pay taxes.

If they pay taxes then they can preach politics from the pulpit ( endorse and campaign for political candidates) without fear of the IRS coming after them like it does now.

Don't they do that now anyways?

Not at any church that I have been to, they actually make an effort to not preach any kind of politics. You could always go to church and find out yourself, I promise that us evil christians won't bite. :laugh:

No no... I'm talking about churches that have politicians come make speeches during mass.

 

[JD50]

Originally posted by: her209

Originally posted by: JD50

Originally posted by: her209

Originally posted by: 1prophet

Originally posted by: smack Down
I don't see anything in the 1st that makes it so churches shouldn't have to pay taxes.

If they pay taxes then they can preach politics from the pulpit ( endorse and campaign for political candidates) without fear of the IRS coming after them like it does now.

Don't they do that now anyways?

Not at any church that I have been to, they actually make an effort to not preach any kind of politics. You could always go to church and find out yourself, I promise that us evil christians won't bite. :laugh:

No no... I'm talking about churches that have politicians come make speeches during mass.

Oh ok. That is a good point, but both sides do it so thats probably why its not such a big deal. I have no problem with a politician speaking at a church, as long as they aren't talking about politics.

 

[dmcowen674]

Originally posted by: Shivetya
A Redford Township church that believes wealth is God's reward is raising eyebrows for buying its pastor a $3.65 million mansion and taking it off the tax rolls.

prosperity theology has a strong following among some fundamentalist and nondenominational churches.

It's gained popularity among mega-church ministries of such well-known national pastors as Joel Osteen, T.D. Jakes and Pat Robertson.

I'm sure many of the resident pundits in here belong to these churches.

 

[her209]

Originally posted by: JD50

Originally posted by: her209

Originally posted by: JD50

Originally posted by: her209

Originally posted by: 1prophet

Originally posted by: smack Down
I don't see anything in the 1st that makes it so churches shouldn't have to pay taxes.

If they pay taxes then they can preach politics from the pulpit ( endorse and campaign for political candidates) without fear of the IRS coming after them like it does now.

Don't they do that now anyways?

Not at any church that I have been to, they actually make an effort to not preach any kind of politics. You could always go to church and find out yourself, I promise that us evil christians won't bite. :laugh:

No no... I'm talking about churches that have politicians come make speeches during mass.

Oh ok. That is a good point, but both sides do it so thats probably why its not such a big deal. I have no problem with a politician speaking at a church, as long as they aren't talking about politics.

But if they happen to, who gets in trouble?

 

[smack Down]

Originally posted by: jrenz

Originally posted by: smack Down
I don't see anything in the 1st that makes it so churches shouldn't have to pay taxes.

Most non-profit and charitable groups don't pay taxes.

I don't think any other non-profit could get away with buying an employee house and expect not to pay taxes on it.

 

[shira]

The church won't have to pay taxes on this property, just as religions don't pay taxes on any chuch-owned real estate. But if the Pastor is living in that house rent-free, the IRS (and presumably the state) will require that he pay income tax on the fair market value of the rent for such a house (excluding the rent for portions of the house used primarily for church pusposes).

I'm guessing a big mansion like that would rent for at least $12,000 a month. Let's say the "pastor's quarters" represent a third of that. Then the pastor should be taxed on $48,000 of waived rent per year.

 

[tomywishbone]

Dudes... the house is in Detroit (sort of). Why would the preacher choose to live in hell?

 

[blackangst1]

First, churches have been tax exempt for awhile, so thats not news.
Second, there's nothing un-Biblical about prosperity. Dunno why you all get up in arms about it. Looks to me like yet another reason to bash Christianity.

 

[her209]

Originally posted by: blackangst1
First, churches have been tax exempt for awhile, so thats not news.
Second, there's nothing un-Biblical about prosperity. Dunno why you all get up in arms about it. Looks to me like yet another reason to bash Christianity.

Greed or the hoarding of material objects is one of the seven deadly sins.

 

[ericlp]

Another reason to bash cristianity? How many reasons do you need? hahahaha Your joking right?

Did you even read the artical? This isn't a church this is 4 million dollar home... Hey, maybe they can do a blessing on my 6 acre ranch and I won't have to pay any taxes??? I can call it a parsonage too!!! Tho, no bible reading or religious BS allowed on my property... Bible thumping is OK! You know every time you open the thing up your get thumped with a bible!!!

In this country we value rock stars, movie stars and athletes. They can have a lavish lifestyle, and a pastor who restores lives that were broken shouldn't? When our value system elevates a man who can put a ball in a hole and not a man who does God's work, something is wrong. hahahaha Are these people nuts? Yeah, the only difference between Rock and Movie stars they have to pay taxes on their 4M dollar estates....

Detroit World Outreach Church isn't apologizing. In fact, members say the mansion is proof God has blessed them. Haha, yeah, now hurry up and pay your taxes....

 

[dyn2nvu]

Peter Popoff's miracle water will cure all...hehe.
Hallelujah!

 

[blackangst1]

Originally posted by: ericlp
Another reason to bash cristianity? How many reasons do you need? hahahaha Your joking right?

Did you even read the artical? This isn't a church this is 4 million dollar home... Hey, maybe they can do a blessing on my 6 acre ranch and I won't have to pay any taxes??? I can call it a parsonage too!!! Tho, no bible reading or religious BS allowed on my property... Bible thumping is OK! You know every time you open the thing up your get thumped with a bible!!!

In this country we value rock stars, movie stars and athletes. They can have a lavish lifestyle, and a pastor who restores lives that were broken shouldn't? When our value system elevates a man who can put a ball in a hole and not a man who does God's work, something is wrong. hahahaha Are these people nuts? Yeah, the only difference between Rock and Movie stars they have to pay taxes on their 4M dollar estates....

Detroit World Outreach Church isn't apologizing. In fact, members say the mansion is proof God has blessed them. Haha, yeah, now hurry up and pay your taxes....

Yes, I read the article. And I will say again, prosperity is NOT un-Biblical. So whats your problem with a man of God being prosperous?

Quit with your hate speech.

 

[smack Down]

Originally posted by: blackangst1

Originally posted by: ericlp
Another reason to bash cristianity? How many reasons do you need? hahahaha Your joking right?

Did you even read the artical? This isn't a church this is 4 million dollar home... Hey, maybe they can do a blessing on my 6 acre ranch and I won't have to pay any taxes??? I can call it a parsonage too!!! Tho, no bible reading or religious BS allowed on my property... Bible thumping is OK! You know every time you open the thing up your get thumped with a bible!!!

In this country we value rock stars, movie stars and athletes. They can have a lavish lifestyle, and a pastor who restores lives that were broken shouldn't? When our value system elevates a man who can put a ball in a hole and not a man who does God's work, something is wrong. hahahaha Are these people nuts? Yeah, the only difference between Rock and Movie stars they have to pay taxes on their 4M dollar estates....

Detroit World Outreach Church isn't apologizing. In fact, members say the mansion is proof God has blessed them. Haha, yeah, now hurry up and pay your taxes....

Yes, I read the article. And I will say again, prosperity is NOT un-Biblical. So whats your problem with a man of God being prosperous?

Quit with your hate speech.

I think the problem is them not paying tax.

 

[blackangst1]

Originally posted by: smack Down

Originally posted by: blackangst1

Originally posted by: ericlp
Another reason to bash cristianity? How many reasons do you need? hahahaha Your joking right?

Did you even read the artical? This isn't a church this is 4 million dollar home... Hey, maybe they can do a blessing on my 6 acre ranch and I won't have to pay any taxes??? I can call it a parsonage too!!! Tho, no bible reading or religious BS allowed on my property... Bible thumping is OK! You know every time you open the thing up your get thumped with a bible!!!

In this country we value rock stars, movie stars and athletes. They can have a lavish lifestyle, and a pastor who restores lives that were broken shouldn't? When our value system elevates a man who can put a ball in a hole and not a man who does God's work, something is wrong. hahahaha Are these people nuts? Yeah, the only difference between Rock and Movie stars they have to pay taxes on their 4M dollar estates....

Detroit World Outreach Church isn't apologizing. In fact, members say the mansion is proof God has blessed them. Haha, yeah, now hurry up and pay your taxes....

Yes, I read the article. And I will say again, prosperity is NOT un-Biblical. So whats your problem with a man of God being prosperous?

Quit with your hate speech.

I think the problem is them not paying tax.

So the church exemption should be revoked?