swamp
Community Leader
THEY’RE EATING THE DOGS!!!!!!!
Joined: Dec 19, 2010 16:03:22 GMT -5
Posts: 45,622
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Post by swamp on Sept 7, 2017 13:34:55 GMT -5
He gets paid actors to "testify". "I was about to lose my house and become homeless. I sent for the Miracle Water and God deposited $226,000 into my bank account!" God has online banking? <<snort>>
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movingforward
Junior Associate
Joined: Sept 15, 2011 12:48:31 GMT -5
Posts: 8,386
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Post by movingforward on Sept 7, 2017 13:44:53 GMT -5
I'm an atheist, but I believe SOME churches do give back to the folks who tithe to them. They are communities first and foremost, which means some are supportive, some not, but they are all different from each other in various ways. There's no reason to believe that they are all leeches preying on the beliefs of their congregations. I am also an atheist and agree. I have seen a few churches in my area (typically the more liberal ones) step up and help quite a few people, both members and non-members of their congregation. Unfortunately, I have seen more churches that seem to take rather than give. Obviously, these are only observations I have witnessed in the community or experienced through friends as I stopped going to church myself eons ago.
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zibazinski
Community Leader
Joined: Dec 24, 2010 16:12:50 GMT -5
Posts: 47,912
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Post by zibazinski on Sept 7, 2017 14:09:21 GMT -5
I'm an atheist, but I believe SOME churches do give back to the folks who tithe to them. They are communities first and foremost, which means some are supportive, some not, but they are all different from each other in various ways. There's no reason to believe that they are all leeches preying on the beliefs of their congregations. I know that DH's temple does. Even helps non Jews.
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zibazinski
Community Leader
Joined: Dec 24, 2010 16:12:50 GMT -5
Posts: 47,912
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Post by zibazinski on Sept 7, 2017 14:10:07 GMT -5
So.....in a round about way, I spoke to my sister this morning about this. She told me she is volunteering her time rather than money. I do feel better that she is at least is handling her own living expenses first. I'm good with that.
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zibazinski
Community Leader
Joined: Dec 24, 2010 16:12:50 GMT -5
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Post by zibazinski on Sept 7, 2017 14:16:24 GMT -5
I'm just curious as to how you get to the hospital if the bridge is closed. The helicopter can't fly obviously. I get that you need to care for what's there already but people having babies or heart attacks are going to have to stay on the mainland and go to the awful other hospital. That would scare me into a heart attack just thinking about that.
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weltschmerz
Community Leader
Joined: Jul 25, 2011 13:37:39 GMT -5
Posts: 38,962
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Post by weltschmerz on Sept 13, 2017 12:43:03 GMT -5
I was flipping through channels last night and came across a paid program on CBS called Uncommon Seed, a religious scam. "Just send $696.00 to ME, to sow the seed of faith! If you don't have it, borrow it! God wants your obedience and God wants you to send me this money!"
I can't understand how this type of scam is even legal.
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Waffle
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 12, 2011 11:31:54 GMT -5
Posts: 4,391
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Post by Waffle on Sept 13, 2017 13:09:50 GMT -5
I was flipping through channels last night and came across a paid program on CBS called Uncommon Seed, a religious scam. "Just send $696.00 to ME, to sow the seed of faith! If you don't have it, borrow it! God wants your obedience and God wants you to send me this money!" I can't understand how this type of scam is even legal. John Oliver did a few great segments about how easy it is to legally start a church in the U.S. and all of things you can legally say. He would say something outrageous and they say "And I still haven't broken any laws". It was both hilarious and sad.
If you don't have time to watch the whole series - try starting at about 13:55 of this one: link
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weltschmerz
Community Leader
Joined: Jul 25, 2011 13:37:39 GMT -5
Posts: 38,962
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Post by weltschmerz on Sept 13, 2017 13:24:31 GMT -5
I was flipping through channels last night and came across a paid program on CBS called Uncommon Seed, a religious scam. "Just send $696.00 to ME, to sow the seed of faith! If you don't have it, borrow it! God wants your obedience and God wants you to send me this money!" I can't understand how this type of scam is even legal. John Oliver did a few great segments about how easy it is to legally start a church in the U.S. and all of things you can legally say. He would say something outrageous and they say "And I still haven't broken any laws". It was both hilarious and sad.
If you don't have time to watch the whole series - try starting at about 13:55 of this one: link
I did see it. It was absolutely hysterical!
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Deleted
Joined: Oct 15, 2024 9:28:33 GMT -5
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Sept 13, 2017 13:29:50 GMT -5
I was flipping through channels last night and came across a paid program on CBS called Uncommon Seed, a religious scam. "Just send $696.00 to ME, to sow the seed of faith! If you don't have it, borrow it! God wants your obedience and God wants you to send me this money!" I can't understand how this type of scam is even legal. John Oliver did a few great segments about how easy it is to legally start a church in the U.S. and all of things you can legally say. He would say something outrageous and they say "And I still haven't broken any laws". It was both hilarious and sad.
If you don't have time to watch the whole series - try starting at about 13:55 of this one: link
Churches are also exempt from filing the annual 990 tax return that every other 501 3 c non-profit has to file to maintain their tax exemption.
Churches are a financial black hole with zero accountability. I think we would be shocked to know how many of them could not actually meet the non-profit requirement.
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weltschmerz
Community Leader
Joined: Jul 25, 2011 13:37:39 GMT -5
Posts: 38,962
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Post by weltschmerz on Sept 13, 2017 13:43:44 GMT -5
...and it wasn't "Just send me five dollars or whatever you can." It was specifically $696.00, because he "crunched the numbers and that's what it ways in the bible." Yowza!
May he be perpetually infested with body lice and his extremities rot and fall off so he can't scratch.
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thyme4change
Community Leader
Joined: Dec 26, 2010 13:54:08 GMT -5
Posts: 40,788
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Post by thyme4change on Sept 13, 2017 14:10:48 GMT -5
I was flipping through channels last night and came across a paid program on CBS called Uncommon Seed, a religious scam. "Just send $696.00 to ME, to sow the seed of faith! If you don't have it, borrow it! God wants your obedience and God wants you to send me this money!" I can't understand how this type of scam is even legal. Try and stop it and 1st amendment, religion rights groups would materialize to rally against any law trying to protect people. A certain group of people would insist the secular, liberal government was trying to put a barrier between people and God. They would twist that so fast, a whole bunch of people would believe them and be mad as hell. Anyone watching the LeAnn Remini Scientology thing? They had a guy on there who lobbied the New Zealand government to change the laws around the tax free status of religions. It is basically a review of the audited financial statements that show the religion is benefiting many, not just a few - but better stated than that.
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swasat
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 13, 2011 9:34:28 GMT -5
Posts: 3,735
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Post by swasat on Sept 13, 2017 14:32:27 GMT -5
Oh no weltschmerz! You resurrected the thread! Now you have done it......care for another (or few pages) of rant from the some people I fear someone will have an apocalyptic fit
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swamp
Community Leader
THEY’RE EATING THE DOGS!!!!!!!
Joined: Dec 19, 2010 16:03:22 GMT -5
Posts: 45,622
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Post by swamp on Sept 13, 2017 14:44:38 GMT -5
...and it wasn't "Just send me five dollars or whatever you can." It was specifically $696.00, because he "crunched the numbers and that's what it ways in the bible." Yowza! May he be perpetually infested with body lice and his extremities rot and fall off so he can't scratch. I'd be more impressed if he said to send him $666.
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swamp
Community Leader
THEY’RE EATING THE DOGS!!!!!!!
Joined: Dec 19, 2010 16:03:22 GMT -5
Posts: 45,622
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Post by swamp on Sept 13, 2017 14:45:20 GMT -5
Oh no weltschmerz ! You resurrected the thread! Now you have done it......care for another (or few pages) of rant from the some people I fear someone will have an apocalyptic fit I'm waiting with my popcorn.
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Chocolate Lover
Distinguished Associate
Joined: Dec 17, 2010 15:54:19 GMT -5
Posts: 23,200
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Post by Chocolate Lover on Sept 13, 2017 14:51:10 GMT -5
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swasat
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 13, 2011 9:34:28 GMT -5
Posts: 3,735
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Post by swasat on Sept 13, 2017 14:51:37 GMT -5
Yeah swamp, us 40-60 yo women will have to stick together, with all our falling teeth and gossipy tongues and no care about burning in hell I have a permanent spot in hell, so I don't even care a damn who I piss off.
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weltschmerz
Community Leader
Joined: Jul 25, 2011 13:37:39 GMT -5
Posts: 38,962
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Post by weltschmerz on Sept 13, 2017 15:00:31 GMT -5
Oh no weltschmerz ! You resurrected the thread! Now you have done it......care for another (or few pages) of rant from the some people I fear someone will have an apocalyptic fit Lol! Let him have a fit. Makes no nevermind to me.
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weltschmerz
Community Leader
Joined: Jul 25, 2011 13:37:39 GMT -5
Posts: 38,962
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Post by weltschmerz on Sept 13, 2017 15:00:59 GMT -5
...and it wasn't "Just send me five dollars or whatever you can." It was specifically $696.00, because he "crunched the numbers and that's what it ways in the bible." Yowza! May he be perpetually infested with body lice and his extremities rot and fall off so he can't scratch. I'd be more impressed if he said to send him $666. I know, eh?
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Post by The Walk of the Penguin Mich on Sept 13, 2017 15:07:47 GMT -5
Yeah swamp , us 40-60 yo women will have to stick together, with all our falling teeth and gossipy tongues and no care about burning in hell I have a permanent spot in hell, so I don't even care a damn who I piss off. I'm going to have excellent company!
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dannylion
Junior Associate
Gravity is a harsh mistress
Joined: Dec 18, 2010 12:17:52 GMT -5
Posts: 5,214
Location: Miles over the madness horizon and accelerating
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Post by dannylion on Sept 13, 2017 17:48:41 GMT -5
Yeah swamp , us 40-60 yo women will have to stick together, with all our falling teeth and gossipy tongues and no care about burning in hell I have a permanent spot in hell, so I don't even care a damn who I piss off. I'm going to have excellent company! I was thinking the same thing! I recall once seeing a remark (don't remember by whom) to the effect that since hell is probably full of "godless" scientists and engineers, it's probably air conditioned by now. We'll be fine.
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Gardening Grandma
Senior Associate
Joined: Dec 20, 2010 13:39:46 GMT -5
Posts: 17,962
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Post by Gardening Grandma on Sept 13, 2017 17:52:47 GMT -5
Yeah swamp , us 40-60 yo women will have to stick together, with all our falling teeth and gossipy tongues and no care about burning in hell I have a permanent spot in hell, so I don't even care a damn who I piss off. I'm going to have excellent company! Move over, you guys. Make some room...
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chiver78
Administrator
Current Events Admin
Joined: Dec 20, 2010 13:04:45 GMT -5
Posts: 39,512
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Post by chiver78 on Sept 13, 2017 17:57:02 GMT -5
I'm going to have excellent company! I was thinking the same thing! I recall once seeing a remark (don't remember by whom) to the effect that since hell is probably full of "godless" scientists and engineers, it's probably air conditioned by now. We'll be fine. I remember freshman year in college. my guy friends lived on an "engineering floor" where all residents were frosh engineers. I guess the thinking was if they all lived together, that's ready made study buddies. it did work some. anyway, their RA was a political science major, but every year he would ASK for the engineering floor. we gave him shit about it, and his answer was that the guys would always customize his room for him and the return favor was letting shit slide. win-win. smart guy, definite politician in the making.
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Lizard Queen
Senior Associate
103/2024
Joined: Jan 17, 2011 22:19:13 GMT -5
Posts: 14,659
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Post by Lizard Queen on Sept 16, 2017 10:15:22 GMT -5
Let's compare Osteen to this guy: www.today.com/parents/millionaire-marc-bell-opened-his-home-70-kids-after-irma-t116372"On Monday when the power went out at one of the hurricane shelters in Boca Raton, Florida, the sheriff asked everyone to leave. That’s when the panic set in for the staff of the SOS Children’s Villages Florida. They had been staying there with 70 foster children and didn’t know where else to go. That’s when the executive director called Marc Bell. “She said ‘Marc we have a problem. The sheriff threw us out of the shelter and we have nowhere to go,’” Bell told TODAY. “I said ‘Bring them here to the house.’ Thirty minutes later they were walking through the door.” Never miss a parenting story with TODAY's newsletters! Sign up here Bell — a former executive for the adult magazine Penthouse, who sits on the board of SOS — knew his home, a $30 million, 27,000-square foot mansion, could handle a big group. And, he and wife, Jennifer, felt they had to help these children."
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