Day of reckoning for mega-churches?

[Nash B.]

Praise be to Our Lady of Perpetual Exemption.

[slow99]

Ah yes, the old RICO charges.

[bcoop]

Praise be to Our Lady of Perpetual Exemption.

For those that haven't seen it.

[Chili]

Praise be to Our Lady of Perpetual Exemption.

Lol.. I liked that episode.

[black50]

Kenneth Copeland has a nice place

I drive by his compound every Friday Morning....Very impressive

[Frank]

What is to say someone couldn't call themselves a pastor, start a "church" or buy out an existing dead church (and their 501 status...if that is possible) and gather a few friends and business associates as the "congregation". That "congregation" then tithes their parts tax free. Those funds then funneled back into various entities going right back into the congregations pockets. I have my suspicions such a place exists in a nearby town given no one has met at the building in years for services yet they supposedly have a congregation.

[Chili]

What is to say someone couldn't call themselves a pastor, start a "church" or buy out an existing dead church (and their 501 status...if that is possible) and gather a few friends and business associates as the "congregation". That "congregation" then tithes their parts tax free. Those funds then funneled back into various entities going right back into the congregations pockets. I have my suspicions such a place exists in a nearby town given no one has met at the building in years for services yet they supposedly have a congregation.

Nothing is really stopping them from doing that today..

Watch that John Oliver episode bcoop linked. IRS basically ignores them.

[SS Junk]

The sowing seed scheme is based off the verse Luke 6:38:

"Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you."


Christians should listen to God as to how much they should give instead of having a car salesman demand an amount before it's given back. Mike Murdock used to be one of the heavy hitters brought to Daystar late in a telethon to motivate people to keep donating.

[Labora]

What is to say someone couldn't call themselves a pastor, start a "church" or buy out an existing dead church (and their 501 status...if that is possible) and gather a few friends and business associates as the "congregation". That "congregation" then tithes their parts tax free. Those funds then funneled back into various entities going right back into the congregations pockets. I have my suspicions such a place exists in a nearby town given no one has met at the building in years for services yet they supposedly have a congregation.

Would be incredibly easy to do according to a lawyer I have spoken to.

[emg]

Isn't this how Scientology got started, to get out of paying taxes.

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[Chili]

Isn't this how Scientology got started, to get out of paying taxes.

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Partly.. They are a big part of the reason the IRS doesn't fuck with churches regarding tax status. They fought the feds for a long, long time on theirs.

I think they talked about that in the documentary (Going Clear). Anyone who hasn't watched it, should. It's really very interesting, and I can't believe how messed up those people are.

[mstng86]

Partly.. They are a big part of the reason the IRS doesn't fuck with churches regarding tax status. They fought the feds for a long, long time on theirs.

I think they talked about that in the documentary (Going Clear). Anyone who hasn't watched it, should. It's really very interesting, and I can't believe how messed up those people are.

I watched it.

Scientology fought back by threatening the actual IRS agents involved in their case. They all backed off.