General Discussion

Ilsa

(64,408 posts)

73. Precisely. I wouldn't care how much they brought in

Fri Apr 10, 2015, 09:23 PM

Apr 2015

every week if they paid their bills and salaries and benefits, and then used the remainder for actual charitable work, such as providing for basic needs for the poor, medical missions, etc. There would be nothing left to tax after that.

Far too many of these places are doing it for the money they can reap from desperate souls. They are selfish and despicable leaders.

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Highlight:

Joel Osteen's church theft opens can of worms: Jaws drop as folks do the math [View all] KamaAina Apr 2015 OP

sad, the number of people who believe in such a bullshit artist Skittles Apr 2015 #1

Posting the "Quotes of Joel Osteen" gets you an auto unfriend on FB or Twitter ScreamingMeemie Apr 2015 #4

Meanwhile cindi lauper's Go Fund Me campaign yeoman6987 Apr 2015 #53

Yes, this may be a lot of money but so far i have not heard him ranting about Thinkingabout Apr 2015 #2

He is anti-gay. Laffy Kat Apr 2015 #10

The first time ann--- Apr 2015 #11

Hey, you never know. KamaAina Apr 2015 #16

*cough*Tony Perkins*cough* Arugula Latte Apr 2015 #17

I thought he was pretty much out KamaAina Apr 2015 #18

Not Norman Bates. Not that Tony Perkins. Manifestor_of_Light Apr 2015 #35

With that kind of money, I expect him to jump into the race any day now. Major Hogwash Apr 2015 #3

For fuck's sake, Jamastiene Apr 2015 #54

If you compare it to the $534 billion 2014 US military budget it does not look so big guillaumeb Apr 2015 #5

When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and asked, "Who then can be saved?" FrodosPet Apr 2015 #47

They don't follow that part of the Bible. Jamastiene Apr 2015 #55

They also like the Book of Revelation guillaumeb Apr 2015 #65

It's the world's oldest profession, bar none. hobbit709 Apr 2015 #6

yep, there is more dignity in the "other" oldest profession. m-lekktor Apr 2015 #72

What the fuck does he do with all this money? craigmatic Apr 2015 #7

I wonder if the tax exemption for churches extends to his personal draws on the money? Cleita Apr 2015 #13

No, his salary is taxed just like anyone's. NaturalHigh Apr 2015 #23

A minister's housing allowance is excludable from gross income for income tax purposes progressoid Apr 2015 #40

Even that's subject to self-employment tax. Igel Apr 2015 #41

Outlier? progressoid Apr 2015 #56

Benny Hinn owns 7 mansions, worth a total of $29 Million dollars. Major Hogwash Apr 2015 #63

I think it's more complicated than you suggest struggle4progress Apr 2015 #68

Fleecing of the flock is big business.. SummerSnow Apr 2015 #38

Wonder what pittance of that amount .....actually goes to charitable work... VanillaRhapsody Apr 2015 #8

...and that has exactly what to do with this conversation?... ScreamingMeemie Apr 2015 #22

Everything.....because that is what a Charitable Organization does.... VanillaRhapsody Apr 2015 #24

It has absolute zip to do with this conversation, but you could start a thread on it. ScreamingMeemie Apr 2015 #29

In your humble opinion right? VanillaRhapsody Apr 2015 #51

"and that has exactly what to do with this conversation?" BeanMusical Apr 2015 #62

There are many kinds of charitable work. Igel Apr 2015 #43

Let them pay taxes ann--- Apr 2015 #9

It the money for profit? Doubt it is. Thinkingabout Apr 2015 #12

Hard to make a profit when you take so much of the cashflow for yourself. Zynx Apr 2015 #15

Being from the Houston area TexasMommaWithAHat Apr 2015 #71

Huh, and churches don't have any required transparency like other nonprofits are required to do. Cal Carpenter Apr 2015 #14

That may have changed. Igel Apr 2015 #44

Rupert Murdoch paid Pat Robertson $1.9 Billion for Family Channel Octafish Apr 2015 #19

Well, you know...we just ignore most of the significant news now. Rex Apr 2015 #57

It's why people can't tell Democrats from Repuglians these days. Octafish Apr 2015 #67

Well it takes focus of clarity, you remember how much there was on DU1 and DU2. Rex Apr 2015 #69

"Prey TV looks like pay TV to me; it's just a curse on the human race." ~ Pete Townshend Journeyman Apr 2015 #20

Thread winner malaise Apr 2015 #26

There was a weird science fiction/horror series called Prey. They left it hanging after 13 episodes: freshwest Apr 2015 #61

Apalling! hrmjustin Apr 2015 #21

That kind of money... NaturalHigh Apr 2015 #25

I like to imagine that the money was stolen by none other than Jesus himself... arcane1 Apr 2015 #27

I missed that one! KamaAina Apr 2015 #28

Well I bet he'll get a front row seat in heaven ! logosoco Apr 2015 #30

religion LOL n/t KG Apr 2015 #31

if this shit was taxed olddots Apr 2015 #32

Scam artist extraordinaire...nt joeybee12 Apr 2015 #33

As with most grifters, I wonder how much REALLY got stolen Capn Sunshine Apr 2015 #34

It's a racket, pure and simple, selling hopeless people the hope of pie in the sky Warpy Apr 2015 #36

The movie "Marjoe" was excellent. Manifestor_of_Light Apr 2015 #49

It's on You Tube, or was about 6 months ago Warpy Apr 2015 #52

Now everyone is expected to donate double until further notice. lpbk2713 Apr 2015 #37

How do they wire that money up to heaven so god can have it? cui bono Apr 2015 #39

A nation full of stupid suckers tabasco Apr 2015 #42

I've read that he doesn't draw a paycheck madville Apr 2015 #45

wow. Liberal_in_LA Apr 2015 #46

Most ministerial positions pay rather badly. kwassa Apr 2015 #48

That's the whole point, Osteen went into it to become rich and powerful. Rex Apr 2015 #59

I think he just did what he did .. kwassa Apr 2015 #60

Collection plates have a CC/Debit card reader installed. L0oniX Apr 2015 #50

$32 million? Why am I reminded of Reverend Lovejoy from The Simpson's? Initech Apr 2015 #58

Has anyone noticed how many Christian mega-churches there are and how few mega-charities? n/t BobSmith4152 Apr 2015 #64

Precisely. I wouldn't care how much they brought in Ilsa Apr 2015 #73

Are these people asleep under rocks these day? My God onecent Apr 2015 #66

$32 million and they pay zero taxes on it? Where's the IRS? Initech Apr 2015 #70

Busy watching Rockwell? KamaAina Apr 2015 #75

Do they get any "faith-based 'government' money"? Trillo Apr 2015 #74

Tax. Free. nt valerief Apr 2015 #76