General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsTexas churches suing FEMA, they want that taxpayer provided money.
Last edited Thu Sep 7, 2017, 06:14 PM - Edit history (1)
From jaunitajean.com
The only difference is that the heathen next door pays taxes.
The churches claim they are being denied their first amendment rights because FEMA is discriminating against them.
The Texas churches that sued are the Rockport First Assembly of God in Rockport, which lost its roof and steeple and suffered other structural damage, and the Harvest Family Church in Cypress and Hi-Way Tabernacle in Cleveland, which were flooded.
I suggest they do what thousands of other folks pestered by Harvey do put on some boots and a face mask, grab a shovel, starting digging crap Harvey left behind, and pay your damn taxes you welfare queens.
http://juanitajean.com/holy-crap-fix-this-edition/
Someone asked downthread if churches were even eligible. They are not:
p12. Facilities established or primarily used for political, athletic, religious, recreational, vocational, or academic training, conferences, or similar activities are not eligible (see Table 3).
https://www.fema.gov/media-library-data/1496435662672-d79ba9e1edb16e60b51634af00f490ae/2017_PAPPG_2.0_508_FINAL(2).pdf
Bad Thoughts
(2,514 posts)drmeow
(4,996 posts)Its a violation of my religious beliefs to have to pay to support these f**kers
Edit to add - I wish a mosque would sue
workinclasszero
(28,270 posts)God struck Houston because they had a gay mayor? See here:
Ann Coulter says storm Harvey is more likely Gods punishment for Houstons lesbian mayor than a result of climate change
Divine retribution for a lesbian mayor makes more sense than climate change, provocateur says
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/ann-coulter-harvey-climate-change-god-punishment-more-credible-tweet-a7919301.html
Maybe he was going after apostate prosperity/dominunist churches instead?
Also if you claim to be exempt from paying taxes where do you get off demanding taxpayer money to rebuild your Randian $$$ profit center?
OldHippieChick
(2,434 posts)but we did have insurance. Maybe Texas has different laws, in which case, this church should sue the State, not the feds. Needless to say our church had out-of-pocket expenses, but other churches chipped in as did the congregants. Perhaps the First Assembly people ought to consider suing the Lord.
phylny
(8,353 posts)because they don't pay taxes, or is there another reason?
dixiegrrrrl
(60,010 posts)I have no idea what rules FEMA uses.
but...in the past...individual homeowners got FEMA money so they could get back on their feet.
businesses did not get it.
dixiegrrrrl
(60,010 posts)From: Public Assistance Program and Policy Guide
FP 104-009-2 / April 2017
https://www.fema.gov/media-library-data/1496435662672-d79ba9e1edb16e60b51634af00f490ae/2017_PAPPG_2.0_508_FINAL(2).pdf
p12. Facilities established or primarily used for political, athletic, religious, recreational, vocational, or academic training, conferences, or similar activities are not eligible (see Table 3).
Lawyers they can afford, but repairs not?????
phylny
(8,353 posts)UTUSN
(70,497 posts)When there's turnover from Dems to Repukes in government, the Repukes slash programs/services and then ballyhoo about "volunteerism" to cover the gaps (nowhere close to covering). I don't begrudge them the deductions, just dispute their self-congratulation.
Even in their Fundie "giving" they are refuted by their own scriptures that say "works" (good works) will not save them.
Here's an overlooked Lib voice, Andy RICHTER: "The RW insistence that no one can believe in humanitarian virtue w/o receiving personal benefit just reveals their own shabby moral code."
ProfessorGAC
(64,427 posts). . .the charitable giving of most the parishioners is giving to the church. So, they're giving to a charity that directly benefits them. Some charitable donation!
MineralMan
(146,192 posts)their buildings, I truly think the local governments should step in to help. They can have their public works department come right in with dozers, skiploaders and dumptrucks to demolish the damaged buildings and haul the debris away for public safety reasons. No charge. It would be a public service for the benefit and safety of the community..
dixiegrrrrl
(60,010 posts)I like how your mind works.
maxrandb
(15,193 posts)These are the fuckers that are going to save the poor, sick, elderly and infirmed when they destroy the Social Safety Net.
Hey fucksticks!!!! You shouldn't be asking for money, you should be helping the devastated.
I think Napoleon had it right when he said; "Organized Religion is what keeps the poor from eating the rich"
Soxfan58
(3,479 posts)Orrex
(63,086 posts)I don't care if it's a mega-church or a mom-and-pop prayer tent. If you receive taxpayer money, then you are directly violating my First Amendment rights by forcing me to subsidize a religious institution.
Fuck them.
dixiegrrrrl
(60,010 posts)Hopefully we will hear a counter argument on that point, one way or another.
Orrex
(63,086 posts)I'd guess that there's a good chance that they're already working on something.
IronLionZion
(45,269 posts)God is clearly smiting these people for their sinful ways
tiptonic
(765 posts)They should leave the union. That way, they won't have to put up with the injustice, any longer.
Delmette2.0
(4,143 posts)But not for insurance or building repairs.
Mr. Evil
(2,749 posts)NBachers
(17,007 posts)Jim Lane
(11,175 posts)If a church that doesn't pay taxes catches fire, then the municipal fire department, supported by other people's taxes, shows up and puts the fire out. That's proper.
Per the link found by dixiegrrrrl, FEMA generally excludes churches AND all similar secular noncommercial activities. That's what makes it proper. If churches were the only nonprofits (nontaxpayers) excluded, that would probably be a violation of the Establishment Clause. One implication of the Establishment Clause is that the government may not favor nonreligion over religion.