Churches are hardly the only tax exempt institutions. Hospitals, universities, charitites. I get that it makes the post stand out, but it's not like they're the only ones.
They're tax exempt. I work for a nonforprofit school and its very different. all funding going to the church can be kept by the church. if you want to see how badly some people take advantage of that system look up, "John Oliver churches" on YouTube.
Or look at creflo dollar he has two Rolls-Royces, a private jet, and real estate such as a million-dollar home in Atlanta, a $2.5 million home in Demarest, New Jersey, and a $2.5 million home in Manhattan, which he sold for $3.75 million in 2012
The only reason churches aren't taxed is to keep up the appearance of separation of church and state. If churches were taxed, then the argument could be made that the government is getting between the people and spiritual practices.
I didn't criticize him, I'm just saying that a life without knowing God, for me personally, would just be confusing, because I would have no idea what the heck I'm doing. I didn't say he was wrong, no need to spit fire
I probably sounded bad too in this... Sometimes I just get super defensive when people talk about God and all because people are usually making fun of me and my beliefs. I would never make anyone feel like that on purpose though
I would kind of appreciate it if you didn't say religion is a "scam". I'm not telling you that you're stupid for not believing, so why should you say that I am for believing?
Well, it's not exactly required, but
Matthew 28:18-20 says "And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.""
Aka, go make places of worship/places to educate others of their religion
(Like churches)
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· 8 years ago
Ohhhhhh okay
But why should people get paid for such? I get donations and sponsers and such, but the pastors should only do that out of the kindness of their hearts.
They get paid? Who the fuck pays them??
I'm not even religious but I have read both the bible and the Quran
(My logic: if you're going to make an argument you might as well be familiar with both sides of things)
It's kind of like different clubs you may go to. It's not required, but you like it, so you go. Plus if you didn't go to volleyball practice (just an example) you wouldn't be very good at it over time. If there wasn't a church, you would start forgetting your values and you wouldn't be as good at remembering that God is the ultimate creator. There probably wouldn't be as much kindness in the world (I'm not saying there wouldn't be any, just not as much)
Some pastors do get paid, along with the rest of the church staff. Also, you don't need a church to preach about God/divine beings. You would probably get more out of it if you were surrounded by nature. Going to a holding and sitting in uncomfortable chairs while quoting verses from The Bible over and over does not allow you to focus properly. You should go out into the world, and get a different perspective while learning about God/divine beings.
At least in my experience, pastor's get paid through tithe and offerings to the church. And at my church, even though it's a pretty big church, its not like they're getting paid glorious amounts of money. Plus, pastors don't only preach, they're there for counseling and such. They get a degree in religion, you can't expect someone to pay for a degree and then work for free.
Of course pastors get paid. What kind of ignorant bulls**t is this? It isn't like they do it in their free time. Being a pastor is their *job*.
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· 8 years ago
novelus gets what I mean.
I don't wanna get into a stuffy suit and tie and sit in a chair and read the Holy Bible. I wanna wear casual clothes and go out with a group people and bond with them while learning about Jesus Christ.
It takes so much time, effort and preparation for a pastor, so I can understand getting paid, and thanks fruitcakecat!!! Honestly, if I didn't go to church, I wouldn't read my Bible, because there is no one to push me or help me understand the blessing that may come from reading and obeying. Church may not be for everyone, but it sure makes me a better person
My church actually does that too. It's not just a Sunday service, it's additional help to make you understand the goodness of God and gospel. In fact, most of the time, I wear jeans to activities and just wear nice clothes on Sundays in the chapel
I believe in a more worldly approach. Not sitting in buildings. Walking around town, or sitting at a a park, while discussing the Bible and God. That's what I like to do. I have more informative and educational talks about Christianity like that.
If there weren't any priests or pastors, or prophets or whatever, almost nobody would actually read this book about God. It would just be another book on the shelf that may or may not be true. Sure, people would maybe read it and discuss it with their friends, just like another book, but not many, because it is hard to understand and most people wouldn't have the desire without knowing more about how wonderful it is. I'm not saying not to do that, I'm just saying I sure wouldn't read the bible without my church. I might have owned a copy and just never read it after realizing it's not modern language, but that's it. Church is just my preference. Maybe when I'm older and I know enough, I might not go as much, but I need someone to help teach and inspire until then
It makes sense to pay a pastor who is a full-time pastor, but a lot of them, (especially in the US and Western countries) get paid way too much. They should have a salary they can live on, not a salary they can get wealthy on. I'm not saying they all get paid too much. Just that a bunch of them do and it totally goes against everything the bible teaches about not loving money and loving others first and giving to others to help others.
I admittedly didn't read all of this, but I got to the point with the link detailing a pastor's mean salary, and I can say that while a Pastor might indeed get paid that much, a Priest, on the other hand, gets paid only enough for basic necessities of life. He lives on the campus of the church, and his work is his preaching. His home is literally the church, and to tax the church would be to require payment from a person who's pretty much doing volunteer work more or less. And this would cause the priest to no longer be able to preach, due to loss of the land, church, and home, and would thus be an infringement on the freedom of religion.
(I legit have no clue that's why I'm asking)
he/she can believe what they want
why do you care?
sorry if i sounded shitty
When was the last time the Bible required you to make a place for worship?
Matthew 28:18-20 says "And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.""
Aka, go make places of worship/places to educate others of their religion
(Like churches)
But why should people get paid for such? I get donations and sponsers and such, but the pastors should only do that out of the kindness of their hearts.
I'm not even religious but I have read both the bible and the Quran
(My logic: if you're going to make an argument you might as well be familiar with both sides of things)
http://www1.salary.com/Pastor-Salaries.html
Aye,instantlyme, that's a much better way of putting it
I don't wanna get into a stuffy suit and tie and sit in a chair and read the Holy Bible. I wanna wear casual clothes and go out with a group people and bond with them while learning about Jesus Christ.