Is Organized Christianity a racket?

[ChristineM]

Yes, but again higher taxes cuts into what they can help with charity-wise, and we have non-profit laws here in the States for that reason.

If only they spent it all on charity as non profit laws dictate then threads like this would not exist.

 

[robocop (actually)]

That sounds like a scandal of its own.

Prefer not to talk to you about my religion because you just want to trash it at it's core.

 

[Shadow Wolf]

Prefer not to talk to you about my religion because you just want to trash it at it's core.

That's not trashing it to its core. It's a legit thing to ponder. Only a handful at the top get some money but no one else does? Without good explanation, yes, that seems like a scam.

 

[robocop (actually)]

That's not trashing it to its core. It's a legit thing to ponder. Only a handful at the top get some money but no one else does? Without good explanation, yes, that seems like a scam.

I made an agreement with someone to not talk to Satanists online.

 

[Shadow Wolf]

I made an agreement with someone to not talk to Satanists online.

You don't see that as bigotry?

 

[InChrist]

At least from my experience in the States.
I was born into church. In my early teens, I surrendered to become a missionary at my church. They got me started in Bible College, did a semester of that.
But I lost heart.
You see... I realized that church was a giant racket!
There are more churches in town that are more flagrant with their wealth. Churches where they charge kids for attending Sunday school or else they are kicked out. That church I’m thinking of didn’t even let my grandma park in their parking lot because her car was old and beat up. I’m not kidding.
Anyways back to my old church.
First, I saw that everyone was on a payroll. The pastor, assistants, secretary, deacons, they were all paid by the cash collected by the tithe. Pastor would dedicate whole sundays to preaching about tithing, wagging his finger at us telling us we need to give more. Pastor had a nice car, perhaps he was behind on payments.
Then, I found out that my little Baptist church was part of a large organization of churches. We received funding from them, as long as we agreed to their doctrine. I’m not sure on all the fine details, but my church wasn’t in charge really.
Anyways, after my semester of Bible college, I saw that Christian churches in America were set up like businesses. They have financial goals they have to meet. Quarterlies. People in the pews are the customers, and the product is a bunch of horse caca if I say so meself. I was disheartened and left Bible college. Eventually left church altogether.
I don’t think that Christians should be obligated to give 10% of their income to church. The Bible says give it to God, so, is church God? No!
Give your money to charity instead. Hell maybe charity is a racket too idk but I know for sure church is.
Church just wants your money. They are a business in the field of racketeering. They sell you snake oil, and declare that God has said to give them ten percent of your income.
Do you agree that organized Christianity is a scam for your money? Churches are definitely set up like that imo.

There are plenty of terrible churches around; places where people are scammed, used or abused. But those are not a reflection of Jesus Christ. Do you remember the account in the Bible where Jesus overturned the tables of the money changers at the temple because they were taking monetary advantage of people, as well as disrespecting the sacredness of the temple? Paul spoke often in the scriptures warning about wolves in sheep’s clothing who would infiltrate the church. Why would there be so many wolves doing damage in churches? Because satan hates the bride of Christ, whom Jesus loves.
There are plenty of sincere, committed churches were people truly love Jesus Christ and live out His love toward others. I am sorry you did not experience such sincerity and love.

 

[PearlSeeker]

At least from my experience in the States.

Then you should change the thread title.

 

[Exaltist Ethan]

Reminds me of what George Carlin said about religion.

 

[paarsurrey]

That is incorrect.

"The second coming hasn't happened yet."

Basically, evil and good will become more divided and we're saving up to help defend the good from the evil. If you don't think evil and good can get more divided, Idk maybe read the news. Saving for a rainy day.

This is not an official answer.

" second coming hasn't happened yet "

What has been one's methodology to investigate it, please? Right?
Are the LDS not investigating lest they don't have to pay $100 billions they have amassed, please? Right?

Regards

 

[robocop (actually)]

" second coming hasn't happened yet "

What has been one's methodology to investigate it, please? Right?
Are the LDS not investigating lest they don't have to pay $100 billions they have amassed, please? Right?

Regards

The Bible and LDS scriptures are chock full of signs, but no one knows the time, not even the angels.

 

[idea]

Basically, evil and good will become more divided and we're saving up to help defend the good from the evil. If you don't think evil and good can get more divided, Idk maybe read the news. Saving for a rainy day.

This is not an official answer.

This is one thing most religious groups do - see in binary, good/evil, right/wrong, no grey. It is a fear-mongering technique to isolate members. We're good - everyone else is evil. (Rather than balanced everyone has both good and evil)
One example - cults like the Mormon church send missionaries out with a message that guarantee doors slam in their face to create an environment of - everyone rejects you but us, you are only safe with us. JW's do this too.

The church has given billions to charity regardless of religion.

I was a member, I know what the church does from the inside, and no, they do not spend billions.
No half-way houses
No medical care (you know how Catholics have all those hospitals? Not Mormons - any chronic condition is looked down on - only "temporary" minimal assistance is provided.
No licensed therapists for those who were abused by Mormon high priests. No support for victims (only support for abusers - aka - "addiction" support groups - that enable abuse to continue, do not report abuse - volunteers not paid by church that have no clue what they are dealing with and make life added hell for kids being abused

I had an abused homeless girl living with us who came to church for help. My bishop told me "people like that, give them money for gas, and get them out of my area". I helped them on my own dime.

Abused kids- members refused to come to court to protect kids, refused to divulge what happened in support groups, allowed abuse to continue for years and years and years - 18 years of videotaped abuse by high priest in my case. Thank God for good detective and non-member help (he's in jail the rest of his life - no probation under Jessica's law).

No charity.
Indoctrination BYU school is NOT charity.
Member volunteer work is not church charity (what individuals do on their own - what I did on my own that was discouraged by church). I volunteered on my own dime - NOT supported by church, encouraged by church leaders to avoid homeless people.. Missionaries are NOT charity.

Refusing to assist mentally ill, refusing to help those with cancer etc - anything that is not temporary is not supported by church, they will only give a little of your tithing back if they see it as a temporary condition. If it is not temporary - no assistance.

Temple work - is NOT charity. Great and spacious buildings, that now stand empty, cannot get enough patrons - this is what $ is spent on - indoctrination, pr, real-estate, NOT charity.

I was there, I saw, I experienced the lies around church "charity".

 

[idea]

Yes, many churches are much as you say. But here and there are examples of decency. As I understand it, the Quakers are still largely in good repute, for example.

Salvation Army is good.

 

[idea]

Churches have charitable status, and I think it's fine for charities to be exempt from tax provided they can prove they are committed helping people in need, and not operating a business for profit. Clearly a lot of churches - and probably other charities - are profiteering, so perhaps the definition of a charity needs to be clearer, and the standards more rigorously enforced.

I agree. Any non-profit needs to be 100% transparent with funds, independently audited (NOT self-audited), and "charity" needs to be defined clearly.
Not prostelizing, not real-estate/church buildings, not paid clergy.
It should only include things like homeless shelters, hospitals etc.

 

[Sand Dancer]

Salvation Army is good.

I think they are anti-LGBT.

 

[robocop (actually)]

This is one thing most religious groups do - see in binary, good/evil, right/wrong, no grey. It is a fear-mongering technique to isolate members. We're good - everyone else is evil. (Rather than balanced everyone has both good and evil)
One example - cults like the Mormon church send missionaries out with a message that guarantee doors slam in their face to create an environment of - everyone rejects you but us, you are only safe with us. JW's do this too.



I was a member, I know what the church does from the inside, and no, they do not spend billions.
No half-way houses
No medical care (you know how Catholics have all those hospitals? Not Mormons - any chronic condition is looked down on - only "temporary" minimal assistance is provided.
No licensed therapists for those who were abused by Mormon high priests. No support for victims (only support for abusers - aka - "addiction" support groups - that enable abuse to continue, do not report abuse - volunteers not paid by church that have no clue what they are dealing with and make life added hell for kids being abused

I had an abused homeless girl living with us who came to church for help. My bishop told me "people like that, give them money for gas, and get them out of my area". I helped them on my own dime.

Abused kids- members refused to come to court to protect kids, refused to divulge what happened in support groups, allowed abuse to continue for years and years and years - 18 years of videotaped abuse by high priest in my case. Thank God for good detective and non-member help (he's in jail the rest of his life - no probation under Jessica's law).

No charity.
Indoctrination BYU school is NOT charity.
Member volunteer work is not church charity (what individuals do on their own - what I did on my own that was discouraged by church). I volunteered on my own dime - NOT supported by church, encouraged by church leaders to avoid homeless people.. Missionaries are NOT charity.

Refusing to assist mentally ill, refusing to help those with cancer etc - anything that is not temporary is not supported by church, they will only give a little of your tithing back if they see it as a temporary condition. If it is not temporary - no assistance.

Temple work - is NOT charity. Great and spacious buildings, that now stand empty, cannot get enough patrons - this is what $ is spent on - indoctrination, pr, real-estate, NOT charity.

I was there, I saw, I experienced the lies around church "charity".

I'm sorry that's your take on us.

 

[robocop (actually)]

This is one thing most religious groups do - see in binary, good/evil, right/wrong, no grey. It is a fear-mongering technique to isolate members. We're good - everyone else is evil. (Rather than balanced everyone has both good and evil)
One example - cults like the Mormon church send missionaries out with a message that guarantee doors slam in their face to create an environment of - everyone rejects you but us, you are only safe with us. JW's do this too.



I was a member, I know what the church does from the inside, and no, they do not spend billions.
No half-way houses
No medical care (you know how Catholics have all those hospitals? Not Mormons - any chronic condition is looked down on - only "temporary" minimal assistance is provided.
No licensed therapists for those who were abused by Mormon high priests. No support for victims (only support for abusers - aka - "addiction" support groups - that enable abuse to continue, do not report abuse - volunteers not paid by church that have no clue what they are dealing with and make life added hell for kids being abused

I had an abused homeless girl living with us who came to church for help. My bishop told me "people like that, give them money for gas, and get them out of my area". I helped them on my own dime.

Abused kids- members refused to come to court to protect kids, refused to divulge what happened in support groups, allowed abuse to continue for years and years and years - 18 years of videotaped abuse by high priest in my case. Thank God for good detective and non-member help (he's in jail the rest of his life - no probation under Jessica's law).

No charity.
Indoctrination BYU school is NOT charity.
Member volunteer work is not church charity (what individuals do on their own - what I did on my own that was discouraged by church). I volunteered on my own dime - NOT supported by church, encouraged by church leaders to avoid homeless people.. Missionaries are NOT charity.

Refusing to assist mentally ill, refusing to help those with cancer etc - anything that is not temporary is not supported by church, they will only give a little of your tithing back if they see it as a temporary condition. If it is not temporary - no assistance.

Temple work - is NOT charity. Great and spacious buildings, that now stand empty, cannot get enough patrons - this is what $ is spent on - indoctrination, pr, real-estate, NOT charity.

I was there, I saw, I experienced the lies around church "charity".

By the way, just one thing.Doors slamming in our faces - we do a lot more Internet missionary work.

 

[robocop (actually)]

They are required to report abuse to the law, there is a lot of charity and you can call temple work what you want.

 

[robocop (actually)]

I worked salvation army 8 years.

 

[9-10ths_Penguin]

The church should be tax exempt but the profiteering needs addressing.

Why should churches be tax exempt?

The ones that really are non-profit would have no profits to tax, and the ones that are charitable enough in their activities to qualify as a legitimate charity don't need a special category carved out for churches.

 

[9-10ths_Penguin]

In the church of Jesus Christ of latter-day saints, the top 15 get 5 figures for travel and devotion. Every other leadership position is done for free.

And we've never had a financial scandal.

The LDS Church owns a giant for-profit real estate empire. It should be taxed.

LDS Church has Most Valuable Private Real Estate Portfolio in the US, Evidence Suggests