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originally posted by: Gryphon66
So, let's see, we can define the words "witch," "fire," "burning," "sacrifice" and so forth to mean whatever we wish.
Oh witches aren't witches, and fire doesn't burn, and compelling a church to keep up with its agreement, obey the law, and "render unto Caesar" ... is the same as murder and human sacrifice.
LOL. That faith-based reality is really paying off, isn't it?
Yes, the poor, victimized churches ... being burned at the "state" (that would actually be a little witty if it were intentional) because they're expected to obey the law.
It's good to see that ludicrous exaggeration and outright deception are alive and well.
originally posted by: Hefficide
a reply to: beezzer
The Church has every right to maintain a stance on any issue. What they do not have a right to do is to demand that society obey their chosen or given doctrine. Preaching about their perception of immorality is thier choice - but they run the risk of alienating people who disagree with the message.
History shows, again and again, that the Church will bend it's position on issues when the populace outgrows the dogma. A hundred years ago,for example, divorce was so stigmatic that few people chose the option and many were demonized for doing so.
originally posted by: Gryphon66
originally posted by: SomePeople
a reply to: Gryphon66
Oh what a load of rubbish. The only reason any cults perform charitable activities is because they are scared of the deity they believe in and want to please it so they don't burn and also so they can push their cult on more people.
Religions are businesses.
Are you announcing that your post is a load of rubbish? LOL.
I don't disagree with you (that much) on the reality of what religious organizations actually are, however, the idea of giving these bodies tax-exempt status was indeed originally based in the idea that they were going to provide charitable services to the community ... thus, the tax exemption was a way to acknowledge that and help the process along.
.
originally posted by: beezzer
a reply to: Hefficide
Has politics become the new "church"?
originally posted by: Logarock
originally posted by: beezzer
a reply to: Hefficide
Has politics become the new "church"?
Modern day political theory is the political church. Made and funded by a people that are no longer "jealous for their rights". Their priests are the new robber barons, their prophets prophesy for gold and their seminaries dot the land like a fast food chain that produced debt and ignorance tossed up from the bowels of its visionaries.
originally posted by: beezzer
originally posted by: Logarock
originally posted by: beezzer
a reply to: Hefficide
Has politics become the new "church"?
Modern day political theory is the political church. Made and funded by a people that are no longer "jealous for their rights". Their priests are the new robber barons, their prophets prophesy for gold and their seminaries dot the land like a fast food chain that produced debt and ignorance tossed up from the bowels of its visionaries.
Beautifully put!
Also, if you disagree, you will be branded a heretic!
originally posted by: Logarock
originally posted by: beezzer
originally posted by: Logarock
originally posted by: beezzer
a reply to: Hefficide
Has politics become the new "church"?
Modern day political theory is the political church. Made and funded by a people that are no longer "jealous for their rights". Their priests are the new robber barons, their prophets prophesy for gold and their seminaries dot the land like a fast food chain that produced debt and ignorance tossed up from the bowels of its visionaries.
Beautifully put!
Also, if you disagree, you will be branded a heretic!
Yes I am heretic! And I stand upon the fagots and embrace the flame!
originally posted by: Gryphon66
a reply to: Logarock
You really do just make stuff up as you go along.
If a church applies for tax-exempt status, then it has to obey the rules for tax-exempt status.
There is nothing in the Constitution which says "churches don't have to obey the law" is there?
No, there isn't.
originally posted by: Logarock
originally posted by: beezzer
a reply to: Hefficide
Has politics become the new "church"?
Modern day political theory is the political church. Made and funded by a people that are no longer "jealous for their rights". Their priests are the new robber barons, their prophets prophesy for gold and their seminaries dot the land like a fast food chain that produced debt and ignorance tossed up from the bowels of its visionaries.
“Of all tyrannies, a tyranny sincerely exercised for the good of its victims may be the most oppressive. It would be better to live under robber barons than under omnipotent moral busybodies. The robber baron's cruelty may sometimes sleep, his cupidity may at some point be satiated; but those who torment us for our own good will torment us without end for they do so with the approval of their own conscience.”
originally posted by: Gryphon66
a reply to: Logarock
... And if they want to be political they can choose one of the classifications that allows for that, except they'd have to cough up some of that collection plate if they're going to act as lobbyists.
As pointed out multiple times here that's the real problem .... They want to have their cake and eat it too.
Funny for folks that are supposed to believe in responsibility and honesty how often churches just seem to be focused on money, eh?
The law, passed last June, was criticized because it could be used to allow men to use women's bathrooms, among other objections. Opponents to the law had collected more than 50,000 signatures to place a repeal measure on the ballot this November, far more than the 17,269 required. However, the City of Houston moved to invalidate the majority of the signatures, arguing that some the petition gatherers had not met the legal requirements, thereby invalidating the signatures they gathered. Opponents of the law filed suit, and the city responded by issuing subpoenas against several Houston-area pastors, who were not parties to the lawsuit.
Paul Bettencourt, former Harris County Tax Assessor-Collector and the Republican candidate for State Senate District 7 (replacing Dan Patrick, who is running for Lieutenant Governor), was among many who were outraged by the city's subpoenas. "Mayor Parker and her leftist City Attorney Feldman are on a big government attack of pastors' free speech that would make George Orwell proud! Issuing subpoenas for sermons from pastors, not plaintiffs in a lawsuit, shows this City Administration to be the most anti-religious, anti-free speech in Houston's history."
Joe Slovacek, a prominent area attorney and Harris County Republican Party Treasurer pointed out that the city has another way to get the content of these sermons without compelling them through a subpoena. "If the Houston City Attorney reads the sermons, maybe he will have a change of heart. The sermons are online and readily available to all who wish to view them."