Discussion:

Discussion for article #239459

Yes, churches do do a lot of good works…with out tax dollars supporting most of the programs.

Didn’t you mean “with OUR tax dollars supporting their programs”?

NO. The CHURCH does not do “a lot of good works”. The PEOPLE who make up the bulk of the money in the CHURCH do the “good works” and would still do them without the tax-exempt bureaucracy of the Church sucking it’s billions out of the economy.
Churches use billions of dollars in public assets (roads, sewers, power, police, fire depts., etc.) but pay NO TAXES to support the use of those public assets.
Don’t give me the CRAP about “well, their members pay those taxes…”
My Company pays those taxes, and so do my employees. What is the difference?
If we taxed JUST the Catholic Church (not to mention all the shysters, grifters, and TV Bible Thumpers) you would not need to pay ANY property tax. Period. Anywhere in the USA.
And the Church? They would be just fine. They have THEIR OWN BANK and are a Sovereign Country!!!
What other Sovereign Country has TAX EXEMPT STATUS in the USA for anything other than their official Embassies?
I say tax Churches at the same rate as any other BUSINESS. If they can’t afford it, they GO OUT OF BUSINESS. If their “members” can’t afford to pay the taxes, they just don’t “Believe” very much do they?

Robert Tilton was HUGE here in Dallas in the 80s.

And he was especially famous as “Pastor Gas”…

Nobody ever went broke underestimating religious charlatans’ ability to grift money from suckers. The Prosperity Gospel is only for the grifters. Tax free.
Maybe he ran out of time, but Oliver didn’t mention Joel Osteen, grifter extraordianaire.

Don Imus had it nailed years ago:

First Church of the Gooey Death and Discount Center, Del Rio, TX

Mrs. Von Holst is skeptical, but I’ve claimed that if I were to grow a beard, put on “robes”, go out to the raised median by our nearest intersection and holler at passers-by and motorists that I was Jesus Christ, there’d be a definite likelihood that I’d accrue twelve disciples by the next morning. I’ve thought of testing this hypothesis out, but the crucifixion bit is off-putting. On the plus side, Mrs. Von Holst says we can use the fish.

I love John Oliver. He has the best jam packed show on TV, Brilliant

Have you watched the piece? It’s not about “churches” per se, but about the televangelists who are concerned only with enriching themselves. Not a lot of good works going on there.

The Reverends $Cash$ and Pathos are, however, the truest exemplars of Jaysus’ good in and grace on America via your TeeVee’____ Hallelujah! and Praise Juh…eeee…zus…UH!

Ever notice that the CircusMegaChurches declare no particular denomination…?

That’s because they LOVE all denominations…$5$10$20$50$100 and ALL major credit cards.

You need counseling? Be sure to bring your Insurance info…Je$u$ ain’t cheap, ya’ know…

Reverend $Cash$ Money: “Jesus gonna’ forgive you…but he aint’ gonna’ do it for free! Can I get an ‘amen’?”

…AaaaaaaaaaaaMen!!!

The greatest televangelist moments of all time from the greatest TV evangelist of all time…Pastor Gas’!
"God’s cookin’ up sumthin’ good for you sister!"
You’re welcome…and Praise Juh…eeee…zus…UH!

…and Dr Brinkley’s GoatNads for whatever ails you.

Ralph, you’ll either gain followers or get heat exhaustion on that street corner (you did post once that you live in AZ? … so do I. I know about “dry heat”). And the fish won’t smell so good after a while.

Je$u$ loves his FlockFleecers…

"And dear Lord, please bless the televangelist with the private Lear jet, three palatial homes and a fleet of limos that enough of America’s holy flock will send him enough money to continue his ministry to the needy of the world. …amen."

So, did anyone call the number?
Who answered?