Religion

cleanhippie

(19,705 posts)

27. Perhaps not as unlikely as one might think.

Wed Mar 12, 2014, 12:44 PM

Mar 2014

Parts of it are already under scrutiny, such as the parsonage exemption. The abuse of tax-exempt status by churches is growing (or perhaps it's just that the public is actually hearing about it more) and public sentiment is changing, much like the general attitude toward organized religion is changing.

Headline events like Osteens church losing $600,000 to theft, and the public realizing that this wa the take for just ONE WEEKEND is causing people to reevaluate the whole scam (my word, my opinion)

Time will tell, but the trend shows change ahead. YMMV.

Edit history

Please sign in to view edit histories.

Recommendations

0 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):

70 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

When it comes to voting re: religious issues, is there a large gap between DU Believers and Atheists [View all] el_bryanto Mar 2014 OP

Despite the best efforts of some, there's no gap. rug Mar 2014 #1

It has long been my position that DU believers and non-believers have legions cbayer Mar 2014 #2

Their position is logical based on where they are coming from el_bryanto Mar 2014 #5

Perhaps not, but the logic of being an anti-theist escapes me. cbayer Mar 2014 #6

I don't want to be critical, but you need to try and look at it from their perspective el_bryanto Mar 2014 #8

And I think that liberal/progressive people have a shared enemy in the cbayer Mar 2014 #11

I am disappointed that you continue to hurl outrageous charges like that at others, cbayer. trotsky Mar 2014 #13

As a brief summary, that is pretty good. trotsky Mar 2014 #12

Strictly societal benefits you might be right; el_bryanto Mar 2014 #14

Technically, those benefits too. trotsky Mar 2014 #17

I can see what you are saying el_bryanto Mar 2014 #37

I would argue that another benefit thucythucy Mar 2014 #53

Are you saying that people without belief in a "higher power" never take courageous stands? trotsky Mar 2014 #63

No, I'm not saying that at all. thucythucy Mar 2014 #64

Sure they were motivated by their beliefs. trotsky Mar 2014 #66

I don't know. thucythucy Mar 2014 #67

There did appear to be a judgment in your initial post, glad you cleared that up. trotsky Mar 2014 #68

Who do you nominate as the atheistic equivalent to MLK Jr.? rug Mar 2014 #69

What I'm saying is that the benefits you believe you get from having a relationship with your god... trotsky Mar 2014 #62

Just wanted to chime in here and say... trotsky Mar 2014 #7

This message was self-deleted by its author cbayer Mar 2014 #3

I am for keeping tax exemot status for houses of worship. hrmjustin Mar 2014 #4

Why? cleanhippie Mar 2014 #9

There is no reason to change the rules. hrmjustin Mar 2014 #10

What if the Church engages in political activity? el_bryanto Mar 2014 #15

As long as they don't endorse candidates then it is not an issue. hrmjustin Mar 2014 #16

No good reason has been given as to why they shouldn't be taxed. cleanhippie Mar 2014 #18

The reason is historical. rug Mar 2014 #19

That may or may not be true but the law will not likeky be changed. hrmjustin Mar 2014 #20

Perhaps not as unlikely as one might think. cleanhippie Mar 2014 #27

Making that much money in a Sunday does not mean it is a scam but I don't trust that guy. hrmjustin Mar 2014 #28

The point of bringing osteen up is to highlight the publics growing awareness of the abuses cleanhippie Mar 2014 #29

You make interesting points and I have to say I was appauled when I heard they brought that much hrmjustin Mar 2014 #31

I think the difference is edhopper Mar 2014 #21

Who "will always act on their beliefs" in that statement? nt el_bryanto Mar 2014 #22

The fundamentalists edhopper Mar 2014 #24

Which beliefs should we be challenging? Young earth creationism or more than that? nt el_bryanto Mar 2014 #36

That edhopper Mar 2014 #38

Progressive/liberal religious leaders do confront that theology and belief set. cbayer Mar 2014 #23

I haven't seen that edhopper Mar 2014 #25

In what way do you mean "ecumenical"? cbayer Mar 2014 #26

Name a religious leader edhopper Mar 2014 #30

Bill Moyers, Eugene Robinson, William Barber, Sister Simone Campbell. cbayer Mar 2014 #32

Bill Moyers and Eugene Robinson are journalists edhopper Mar 2014 #33

Well, since you asked . . . . rug Mar 2014 #34

Really? edhopper Mar 2014 #40

It helps if you read past the headline. rug Mar 2014 #43

I did edhopper Mar 2014 #47

If he has time there might be, but he's 77. rug Mar 2014 #48

John XXIII edhopper Mar 2014 #50

That's true. What he put in motion is still rolling after 50 years of resistance. rug Mar 2014 #51

like the Republicans and edhopper Mar 2014 #57

Please. It is clear that you could find a reason to eliminate anyone I name. cbayer Mar 2014 #35

Read my Post #30 edhopper Mar 2014 #39

Guess you were. But you won't even accept the religious leaders I listed�. cbayer Mar 2014 #41

I'll take your word for it edhopper Mar 2014 #42

I haven't been saying that for years. cbayer Mar 2014 #45

So I'll just go back to my original statement edhopper Mar 2014 #49

This original statement: cbayer Mar 2014 #52

Sure with all those edhopper Mar 2014 #58

Do your own research, edhopper. cbayer Mar 2014 #59

Perhaps if you had said Bishop Gene Robinson as he is commonly known edhopper Mar 2014 #61

You went to the google and got it wrong. cbayer Mar 2014 #65

Eugene Robinson okasha Mar 2014 #44

He wants quotes. cbayer Mar 2014 #46

When it comes to the law, I do not want to mix church and state. Ever. shenmue Mar 2014 #54

More similarities than differences. Oakenshield Mar 2014 #55

Welcome to the religion group, oaken shield. cbayer Mar 2014 #56

Thanks for the welcome. Oakenshield Mar 2014 #60

I think the recents threads on the WTC cross LostOne4Ever Mar 2014 #70