Pope Jeopardizes U.S. Tax-Exempt Status of Church

[StupidScript]

Originally Posted by John Scott

The Ten Suggestions given to Moses specifically prohibit abortion. So I think the Catholics are pretty safe.

Speaking of the "Suggestions", I think the Pope would have made a greater impact (and a lot more headlines) if he called on all politicians who support killing other people to excommunicate themselves. Actually, isn't that the basis of his abortion remark? Why stop there?

[Ferre]

Originally Posted by StupidScript

Speaking of the "Suggestions", I think the Pope would have made a greater impact (and a lot more headlines) if he called on all politicians who support killing other people to excommunicate themselves. Actually, isn't that the basis of his abortion remark? Why stop there?

That's correct, but knowing that hypocricy and genocide are advocated in that manual of theirs it's not such a surprise that he doesn't address mass killings.

[G10]

Originally Posted by Ferre

That's correct, but knowing that hypocricy and genocide are advocated in that manual of theirs it's not such a surprise that he doesn't address mass killings.

I don't think that thats the reason dude.

Religion and politics are basically married and it's a marriage of convenience.

Governments want their religious leaders to pray for their soldiers whilst they go out there and kill (and they do pray) and then they ask them to keep out of political situations.

I just wish that these people would learn to read the book and realise that religion has no place within politics.

btw - I thought they were supposed to follow the laws in the New Testament as the old were overridden by the new covenant, no?

[Ferre]

Originally Posted by G10

btw - I thought they were supposed to follow the laws in the New Testament as the old were overridden by the new covenant, no?

We had this discussion before, the answer is still 'no'.

That's a misconception carefully guarded by the RCC to keep the sheep supporting them and to keep the sheep brainwashing their children into their doctrines, morals and acceptance of 'the word of god', which is written in the first testament.

If the old testament was supposed not to be 'valid' anymore it wouldn't even be present in their manual today, specially not when knowing it's a manual for genocide, racism and hatred towards all non-abrahamic cultures.

When people are curious what those laws-of-god are that their imaginary friend Jesus tells them to obey, they'll have to look into the old testament for references. Even the ten commandments are written in the old testament, but the 'do not kill' rule only applies to fellow abrahamic teaching followers, all the rest need to be killed according to the 'law-of-god'

Most people just don't graps that, they are too blinded by the word 'love' that is used by the new testament to distract from the real nature of those teachings.

Besides that, Jews, Muslims and most other abrahamic (christian) cults/sects do not recognize the old testament being over-ridden by the new one and see it for what it is, an agenda to distract the sheep from the real message; Kill everyone who doesn't submit, and obey the word of god unconditionally.

..and of course, you may love those who joined.

Btw Gio, did you ever notice that nowhere in the bible it's written that people should educate themselves. The word 'educate' is non existing in that manual for brain control, there's not even a mentioning of it.

[G10]

Originally Posted by Ferre

We had this discussion before, the answer is still 'no'.

Actually, the answer is yes

The old testament remains as part of the bible to help show people the lineage leading up to Jesus and also to show that he was the New Covenent that was fortold in the old testament.

Originally Posted by Ferre

When people are curious what those laws-of-god are that their imaginary friend Jesus tells them to obey, they'll have to look into the old testament for references. Even the ten commandments are written in the old testament, but the 'do not kill' rule only applies to fellow abrahamic teaching followers, all the rest need to be killed according to the 'law-of-god'

When asked by his disciples as to all the commandments, which of the commandments was most important, Jesus gave the answer and this is in the New Testament.

btw - Isn't the leader of Christian faiths supposed to be the Christ? In that case, if they are not following what he says, then yes, they are blinded and following it blindly and subjectively.

[Brian]

Originally Posted by John Scott

The Ten Suggestions given to Moses specifically prohibit abortion. So I think the Catholics are pretty safe.

Why does everyone always leave out #11, thou shalt not move to Nebraska

[Brian]

Had Romney as my state Governor. He plays both sides. And he makes it obvious too, as if we're stupid.

Example.

Signed a 2004 measure issuing a permanent ban on assault weapons in Massachusetts (+1)

Before declaring his candidacy in 2008, he joined the NRA.

Example.

In 1994, pro abortion.
Now in 2008, anti abortion.

Don't get me started on his anti gay rights, but then again don't get me started on most politicians.

Not trying to pick on Romney, I just feel obligated since his face has been plastered on my TV since 2002.

What it comes down to is... everyone that the media is covering (eff the media) in their run for the Presidency is someone who has no grip on a true reality.

Rambo for president, 2008.

[hyperspace]

That new pope gives me the creeps. He looks like he might eat you, given half a chance.

[Brian]

I think my last reply in this thread was in the wrong thread, hahah!
oh well.
too late to worry about

[shirker]

Originally Posted by John Scott

The Ten Suggestions given to Moses specifically prohibit abortion. So I think the Catholics are pretty safe.

The Commandments given to Moses were valid only for the Jews, jentiles may have been treated absolutely differently.

[G10]

I think they were valid to whomever joined them as there were also other settlers or foreigners with them, not just Jews

[StupidScript]

his face has been plastered on my TV since 2002

Good news, Brian! They're spending their dough on your local outlets. We haven't seen any Romney commercials (note the difference between "commercials" and "position pieces") in California. I'm sure he would be idolized in the Land of the Flip Flop ... so he better get something going, out here.

G, I do wish Rambo were running, instead of hearing so much about the possibilities of the Terminator running, as we do, out here. We should have a decent crop of celebrities-turned-politicians, tho'. (In all fairness I should note that Fred Thompson was a politician before he was an actor ... just like Jerry Springer was ... )

[shirker: it's Gentiles. And at that point in time, there was little difference ... but of course, California hadn't been discovered, yet.]

[KeithCash]

Originally Posted by hyperspace

That new pope gives me the willies. If I had to choose between lunch with him and Gollum I'm leaning towards Gollum. Am I Right?

You are right. Mr. VP

[ellswo16rthsnjqv]

What tax exempt status? Tax income and capital gains. Churches don't have income and capital gains. Besides where in the us Constitution is the irs authorized? not. Besides it supposed to be govetment forr the people and who wants to tax giving to poor people duh?

[bytech]

Originally Posted by ScriptMan

Personally I think we should take away tax exempt status all all property owed by all churchs.

Not to mention that the money the church receives tax free is then recycled back into building political influence. Indeed, most 1st world country issues could be eliminated through taxing the church like all others are. Even better, tax the church and have our governments fulfill and maybe for once exceed the commitments made to 3rd world countries.

[StupidScript]

Churches don't have income and capital gains.

Not sure what planet you're from, but Welcome to Earth!

The Catholic Church is one of the wealthiest enterprises on the planet. If they weren't, then they would not be able to afford all of the multi-million dollar payouts they've been making to priest abuse victims over the past 5 years or so (the Boston archdiocese paid over $40million to victims by mid-2002). Or the huge cathedrals they've been building (Los Angeles archdiocese paid nearly $190million for theirs by the time it was done in 2006).

No income? No capital gains? Phst. I wish I had theirs.

[ellswo16rthsnjqv]

Originally Posted by StupidScript

Not sure what planet you're from, but Welcome to Earth!

Thanks. All the satellite dishes here that are looking for intelligent life are pointing outward

Originally Posted by StupidScript

The Catholic Church is one of the wealthiest enterprises on the planet. If they weren't, then they would not be able to afford all of the multi-million dollar payouts they've been making to priest abuse victims over the past 5 years or so (the Boston archdiocese paid over $40million to victims by mid-2002). Or the huge cathedrals they've been building (Los Angeles archdiocese paid nearly $190million for theirs by the time it was done in 2006).

No income? No capital gains? Phst. I wish I had theirs.

I would say that Jewish synagogues collectively make more. Just a hunch. Muslims could be also but I don't think they believe in interest.

If a car salesman is excused 50 years later by a man for touching him does the CEO of GM get sued? Strange.

The Catholic Church is people. Catholics worked and made investments and paid taxes to your Caesar. With what was left they pooled their money and built meeting places and helped the poor and sick. Why do you want to tax them twice and then give it to Boosh and his oil companies?

[StupidScript]

I believe everyone should contribute to support their communities (i.e. the country they live in). Arguments are made all the time that the Catholic church does this by providing for the poor and yadda yadda yadda. Fine. But there are laws that say, "If you want to not pay taxes as a 'church' in America, you can't be involved in political issues." I didn't write it, but I agree with it. In many cases, the church's statements are far more influential than even a parent's. They must be kept from turning the U.S. political system (such as it is) into a Catholic system.

When the Pope calls on legislators to vote anti-anything or lose their ability to worship in the church, that's a distinct violation of the law. It is essentially extorting votes from political leaders by threatening them with damage to their soul if they don't do what the church wants. It's perfectly fine to preach the same message using non-political terms, and even to impose the same punishment on individuals who stray from the teachings, but that's not what happened. The Pope explicitly threatened legislators in anticipation of the matters they will be voting on.

I haven't heard any Jewish or Muslim (or whatever) leaders calling for the same ... just the Pope. The Pope. The single leader of one of the largest churches in the world. Jewish and Muslim faiths do not have anything like that (a single, dominant worldwide leader), so they can only jeopardize their individual synagogue or mosque by making such statements.

The Catholic church is, indeed, people ... except for the Pope, who holds special status with members of his flock. And there lies the rub ...