phil1336 0 Posted March 28, 2010 All of the folks that I`ve known that were members of Universalist/Unitarian Churches have been mostly college educated,intelligent (liberal leaning) individuals that could just as easily been Secular Humanists. The few services I was invited to attend did not make me feel uncomfortable whatsoever. Everyone just recited a favourite poem or read a short story. I did not even hear the Minister quote a chapter or verse from the (good book). If I recall, there wasn`t even a large cross attached to the wall either? I guess if I ever felt the need to belong to a faith based group, Universal/Unitarians appears to be a sane selection. No speaking in tongues, passing out, healing hands, threats of fire,brimstone, Lake of Fires, Eternal Damnation, you know, all that good stuff you get with that "old time religion"! Guess most Charismatics would classify these low octane Christians as Socialist/Communist Lefties that are all throw backs to the Woodstock generation. PS One other comment, how about eliminating ALL Federal,State,County, and Local Tax exemptions for All Churches, Synagogues,Temples, Mosques, etc. and make the Membership pick up the Tab for the Taxes. I feel its Unconstitutional to force the general public to supplement the coffers of the Tax base by giving these institutions a free ride. If your a non-believer and going to Hell anyway, why should you have to contribute to the tax base to make up the shortage? I`m sure the fiscally responsible right wing Religious Republicans want to reduce all deficits and this would be a good starting point! Can I have a Amen? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
leroyspuds 0 Posted March 28, 2010 Agreed on all points. The only exception I'd make would be if a religious organization was organized solely for charitable purposes and charitable services such as provision of food, shelter, health care were provided to people in need without strings attached. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LeighaMason 19 Posted March 28, 2010 We're all rotten sinners right out the box. Boy do I love a good pun! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
phil1336 0 Posted March 28, 2010 Agreed on all points. The only exception I'd make would be if a religious organization was organized solely for charitable purposes and charitable services such as provision of food, shelter, health care were provided to people in need without strings attached. Sharon, I`d go along with that! But, by you very description of those "charitable organizations" lets make sure that they can`t Hide under the umbrella of faith,G-d, church, etc to get the exemption. A Temple of Satan doing charitable work would get Tax Free status while a Catholic Church next door would still be required to pay taxes. Allowing Priests to (poke) 8 year old boys and look the other way should not earn Tax Free exemption. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BJean 16 Posted March 29, 2010 (edited) Churches have become bastions of all things political. Church members are told how and why and for whom to vote. Ministers rail against any candidate or policy that goes against their own belief system. And the Pope tells everybody in the Catholic church exactly what they are expected do politically. As long as politics are conducted from the pulpits in America, then they should not be tax free entities. Edited March 29, 2010 by BJean Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Chris_NJ 9 Posted March 30, 2010 Churches have become bastions of all things political. Church members are told how and why and for whom to vote. Ministers rail against any candidate or policy that goes against their own belief system. And the Pope tells everybody in the Catholic church exactly what they are expected do politically. As long as politics are conducted from the pulpits in America, then they should not be tax free entities. I agree if people are using churches for political preaching then they should pay taxes. Kind of like when politicians go to church for speeches. Its wrong imo and done on both sides dems and reps. It drove me nuts election night seeing people at churches having rallies for Obama. Tell me they weren't preaching for him. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Chris_NJ 9 Posted March 30, 2010 Boy do I love a good pun! lmao funny Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BJean 16 Posted March 30, 2010 Nope Chris I can't tell you that there weren't rallies or sermons in churches in support of Obama on election night. Kinda makes you want to toss a bomb in there, doesn't it? You're right, of course it happens on both sides. But Christian and Catholic churches are generally conservative and they have very selfish motives for supporting Republicans. Some Christian churches support Democratic candidates because they have poor and working class congregations. I certainly appreciate you teling us about getting driven nuts on election night by rallies for Obama on election night. It's always good to see both sides of a discussion. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Chris_NJ 9 Posted March 31, 2010 Nope Chris I can't tell you that there weren't rallies or sermons in churches in support of Obama on election night. Kinda makes you want to toss a bomb in there, doesn't it? You're right, of course it happens on both sides. But Christian and Catholic churches are generally conservative and they have very selfish motives for supporting Republicans. Some Christian churches support Democratic candidates because they have poor and working class congregations. I certainly appreciate you teling us about getting driven nuts on election night by rallies for Obama on election night. It's always good to see both sides of a discussion. Toss a bomb in there? Wtf kinda assinine response is that? Yeah sorry I am not a liberal nut job. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tdslf1 0 Posted March 31, 2010 Olive branch came out and the hand got cut off!!Bogus. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BJean 16 Posted March 31, 2010 Well I didn't think that was much of a stretch Chris, in light of your comment. Think about it - church rallies for Obama - making you feel nutty - nut jobs tossing bombs in churches.... not so much of a stretch really. It was said rather tongue in cheek actually because I thought you might want to think about what you had said. Obvioulsy I was wrong and you're not a raging extremist. Oops, tongue might still be firmly planted in cheek. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Humming Bird 275 Posted March 31, 2010 I'm not sure where to post this, but figured this thread was a good place ...........re: all the change with Obama. I was self-pay for my lapband surgery. I financed it and it works like a credit card. My original contract/agreement was 0% interest for the first 6 months and then a fixed interest rate of 9.9% on the remaining balance. I noticed on my monthly bill that it now says my rate is variable. So, I called this credit card company with questions. They told me that the new credit card laws that were effective in Feb. make it so there can be no fixed rates and actually my rate can now go up since it is now variable! This new law may just screw me over. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LeighaMason 19 Posted March 31, 2010 HB--In 2005 I bought a new house and needed dinning room and office furniture. I went to Ashley's, they were having a 0% sale. I bought the furniture on their credit card. 6 months later I got a notice that they were discontinuing the sale and my new rate was 23.95%, I called them because I didn't have any late payments or reason for the card to go up. They told me it was their option, this is why the law was needed the credit card companies have been tricking people like that for years. Luckily I had the cash to pay it. By the way, they could be BSing you now on why they changed it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
phil1336 0 Posted March 31, 2010 By the way, has the Moving Truck pulled up to Rush Limbaugh`s Ocean Front Mansion on Palm Beach yet? He promised to move his fat ass to Costa Rica if and when the Obama Health Care Reform Bill passed. Since I don`t live far from him, I`d be more then happy to drop him off at PBI or FLL Airport so that he can fulfill his threat. PS: Chris _ NJ, you did`nt have to state that your not a Liberal Nut Job, everyone excepts the fact that right wing Republican conservatives are simply raving lunatics and obstructionists. Most of us (including) Obama, forgive them because their mostly white born again evangelicals that are "Saved"! I must note however, I exclude myself from this forgiveness group due to the fact that I "Spend" more then I "Saved"! Poor Sen Jim DeMint,from SC had to drop out of competition with Dancing With The Stars due to a foot fracture and now has another one from attempting to kick the Democrats in the ass with their Health Reform Bill which passed. Hope he can "feel my love"! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites