Trump Vows to ‘Destroy’ Law Banning Political Activity by Churches

[Shadow Wolf]

So we're 1920s Germany now?
I don't think so.

Obviously we are not, but parallels and similarities have been growing, and are now frightening.

 

[columbus]

Very relevant.

The pope is not the head of a nation, unless it's some sick twisted nation called Vatican City, where they keep the men and women separated and make no children, produce nothing of value but live like kings. So it's a disgusting show of legalizism to allow the pope to lecture to our congress on the basis of being a head of State.

As much as I love the old monster. ..

The Vatican's status as state is the b@st@rd child of Papal pretension and dictatorial Fascism.
It really needs to be done away with as soon as possible.

Tom

 

[Revoltingest]

Obviously we are not, but parallels and similarities have been growing, and are now frightening.

I say tis best to clear the mind, & ditch the fear.
It's the mind killer, you know.

 

[columbus]

Google "Power Bottom".
Tom

Curious.
The day after I made this suggestion to @Neo Deist , he announces that he has better things to do than bother with RF.
Hmmmm...
Tom

 

[Shadow Wolf]

I say tis best to clear the mind, & ditch the fear.
It's the mind killer, you know.

Says the one who claims Communism is inherently doomed to fail. So why is it history should be the focus in one discussion but not another? After all, we're not 1917 Russia either.

 

[Revoltingest]

Says the one who claims Communism is inherently doomed to fail. So why is it history should be the focus in one discussion but not another? After all, we're not 1917 Russia either.

I haven't brought up communism in this thread.
But it does indeed have a dismal history, surviving only in oppressive fits & starts.

Ya know.....
The left keeps claiming that Trump is the next Hitler because there are some parallels (eg,
both are male, both are white, both use words to say things). And it cannot be disproven.
But by the same rationale, Hillary would be the next Stalin because of some parallels, &
the impossibility to disprove she'll lead using to a Soviet style commie 'paradise'.

 

[Shadow Wolf]

Ya know.....
The left keeps claiming that Trump is the next Hitler because there are some parallels (eg,
both are male, both are white, both use words to say things). And it cannot be disproven.
But by the same rationale, Hillary would be the next Stalin because of some parallels, &
the impossibility to disprove she'll lead using to a Soviet style commie 'paradise'.

Why not address the point? I've not called him the next Hitler. I've been saying the things he tends to do reflects the actions of dictators. Often where you see swells of nationalism and fascism and dictators, you see leaders attacking the media, whipping up a storms of an "us vs them" mentality, harshly demonizing a particular group, and a calloused and cold disregard for the human cost of their policies. Firing someone over a disagreement is not the sign of a leader, it is the sign of, at minimum, a control freak, and that is not good.

 

[Revoltingest]

Why not address the point? I've not called him the next Hitler. I've been saying the things he tends to do reflects the actions of dictators. Often where you see swells of nationalism and fascism and dictators, you see leaders attacking the media, whipping up a storms of an "us vs them" mentality, harshly demonizing a particular group, and a calloused and cold disregard for the human cost of their policies. Firing someone over a disagreement is not the sign of a leader, it is the sign of, at minimum, a control freak, and that is not good.

The "Hitler!' accusation is so popular that even mainstream leftish media do it. But be it
Adolf, Mussolini, or Idi Amin, it's entirely unprovable that Trump will become one of them.
This hysterical fear of an imagined dystopia is leading the left to illusion & violence.

 

[Shadow Wolf]

The "Hitler!' accusation is so popular that even mainstream leftish media do it

I wouldn't say "even mainstream leftish media does it," because that is pretty much the epicenter of it and its source of perpetuation. I've not accused him of Hitler, but I am drawing historical connections.

it's entirely unprovable that Trump will become one of them.
This hysterical fear of an imagined dystopia is leading the left to illusion & violence.

So why is history so important when it comes to Communists, but here it's irrelevant?

 

[Revoltingest]

I wouldn't say "even mainstream leftish media does it," because that is pretty much the epicenter of it and its source of perpetuation. I've not accused him of Hitler, but I am drawing historical connections.

For what purpose?

So why is history so important when it comes to Communists, but here it's irrelevant?

History doesn't tell us what Trump will become.
There are innumerable examples of hated politicians becoming benign.
But 100% of attempts at communism have been unmitigated disasters.

Mass murder & famine are communism's perennial bedfellows.
The old Soviet joke....
What are the 4 problems with agriculture?
Spring, summer, fall, & winter.

 

[9-10ths_Penguin]

Trump Vows to ‘Destroy’ Law Banning Political Activity by Churches

Churches were taxed by the Federal government before the Johnson Amendment in 1954. Johnson worked out a deal -- unwise, in my opinion -- that churches would not be taxed if they did not engage in political endorsements. In recent years, this agreement has been dishonored by the Religious Right, who want tax exempt status along with the right to make political endorsements.

Johnson should have seen -- as clearly as his conservative rival Goldwater did -- that you cannot trust the Religious Right to be honorable. Goldwater condemned the Religious Right as fanatics who refused to compromise, and it's arguable that he would never have been so foolish as to attempt to cut a deal with them. Now Trump, catering to the Religious Right, wants to overturn the compromise, but while allowing the churches to keep their tax exempt status.

Your thoughts? Rants?

The US has a long history of special legal treatment for churches and religions. The proposal to exempt churches from the normal restrictions on charities fits right in with the exemption that church-run daycares have (in some states) from the child safety rules that normal daycares have to meet.

 

[9-10ths_Penguin]

But 100% of attempts at communism have been unmitigated disasters.

Not exactly true. There are plenty of examples of thriving communist groups. They tend to be small and religion-based (e.g. the Hutterites).

 

[Revoltingest]

Not exactly true. There are plenty of examples of thriving communist groups. They tend to be small and religion-based (e.g. the Hutterites).

Exactly true in the context, ie, countries.
I'm aware of & have long advocated for small scale voluntary communism.

What's interesting is that most people who advocate communism don't
join such voluntary groups. If it's such a great idea.....

 

[suncowiam]

I'm the Alpha, that's all that matters.

You believe you are an alpha which could be a far cry from reality. But then again, your beliefs is all that matters so good for you.

 

[suncowiam]

Curious.
The day after I made this suggestion to @Neo Deist , he announces that he has better things to do than bother with RF.
Hmmmm...
Tom

Who needs Google when you're the "Alpha" with a capital A.

 

[Nous]

Perhaps all church income should be taxed, but get a rebate on all audited money spent on charitable work. The rebate going directly in to the ring fenced charitable account. So it become additional to the charitable spend, not into anyones pockets.

That sounds like a good way to do it. Some of the expenditures of churches are for very important charitable purposes.

 

[fantome profane]

The "Hitler!' accusation is so popular that even mainstream leftish media do it. But be it
Adolf, Mussolini, or Idi Amin, it's entirely unprovable that Trump will become one of them.
This hysterical fear of an imagined dystopia is leading the left to illusion & violence.

I predict that soon people will stop comparing everybody they don't like to Hitler, and start comparing everybody they don't like to Trump. We are already seeing this happen in Canada.

 

[Shad]

Very relevant.

The pope is not the head of a nation, unless it's some sick twisted nation called Vatican City, where they keep the men and women separated and make no children, produce nothing of value but live like kings. So it's a disgusting show of legalizism to allow the pope to lecture to our congress on the basis of being a head of State.

Again dismiss laws when it does not favour your religion, nothing more.

It is ironic to see an American complain about the use of legalism.

 

[McBell]

I predict that soon people will stop comparing everybody they don't like to Hitler, and start comparing everybody they don't like to Trump. We are already seeing this happen in Canada.

Trump is the new Hitler?

 

[Shad]

No one should acknowledge the Vatican as a state. At best, it deserves the reputation as a modern day Alsatia, a cesspool of fugitives of the law and those who harbor them.

So I can use such standards to reject Palestinian statehood since it does the above as well. Heck I can use this standard for many states. Your standard is arbitrary.