http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/politics/la-na-prosperity12nov12,1,6526447.story?coll=la-news-politics-national&track=crosspromo
http://www.abcnews.go.com/GMA/story?id=3850403&page=1
And why would a minister call "uncovering the truth" unjust?
http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5iOKXMgCgOk27s6L7DNeilGZlpB9wD8SS3ALG1
2007-11-12 03:46:34 · 16 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
If my name was Creflo A. Dollar I'd expect to get audited and would take the trouble to actually obey tax laws.
And to answer your original question, I don't know if he's on to anything. I'm still waiting for the evidence to come out, although I have expectations as to what that evidence will imply.
2007-11-12 03:49:54 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 5⤊ 0⤋
He probably is. I believe that churches and ministers should "render unto Caesar" just like the rest of us. I'm OK with the tax-exempt status of a church for it's ministerial and charitable outreach purposes. But if they're engaging in business enterprises, like selling books, DVDs, or renting out hallways, then to level the playing field, they should be treated like regular businesses. I also believe that a church should be able to pay its minister whatever it wants, as long as that income is reported and the individual minister is taxed. Should they be building marble commodes or providing luxury cars for their ministers? Probably not. In St. Paul a school superintendent used her transportation allowance to buy a jaguar. Is that right? I don't think so, nor do I think it would be OK for a minister either. Let them drive a Saturn or take the bus.
2007-11-12 04:00:52 · answer #2 · answered by colder_in_minnesota 6 · 4⤊ 0⤋
This is a matter that should be extended. One theory behind a tax exemption for religion was that it would keep government from using tax laws in order to impose a specific form of Protestant Christianity on the country. That is, it was realized that smaller religious groups were more vulnerable to tax shenanigans than would be a large group that could insulate itself.
These laws are now being abused. It is time to re-examine them and whether or not they are necessary.
2007-11-12 04:42:01 · answer #3 · answered by Hoosier Daddy 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
He's definitely on something. All the organizations listed for invesitgation are 'Word of life' churches. This is blatant discrimination in it's most scandalous form. No buddhist,Islamic,Hindu,or Catholic organizations are mentioned. Grassley is conducting a political feud which is an abuse of power. He needs to be investigated for this himself. It is an attempt to steal power away from christian word of life churches and eventually from all churches. The constituition says,' Congress shall make no law pertaining to an establishment of religion, NOR PROHIBITING THE FREE EXERCISE THEROF'. Multi-billion dollar corporations receive tax write-offs for reinvesting in research,asset depreciation(even though those assets may actually be appreciating), and other accounting maneuvers. Executives receive 7 digit bonuses and fly around in leer jets to their mansions while blue collar workers struggle to pay bills. Where is the congressional investigation of these people. Profits from cars ,computers,movies, and much more are sent to support socialism. Where is the investigation on this. The bible says God's throne is a sapphire stone. Is Grassley going to investigate that too. A senator Chambers from Nebraska wants to sue God because He disagrees with some judicial discrepancies. I'm sure if we investigated Grassley we would find that his house is probably not in order either. In fact does anyone believe we have a totally honest government? Excuse me while I laugh out loud. Grassley owes these churches an apology. They are helping people with health issues,social problems,prison inmates,faith,homeless,and many things that are good for America. This is a political year and Grassley has stooped to a new political low. That is why the constituition also guarantees us the right to bear arms. The founders were intelligent about governing issues. George Washington said,'It is impossible to rightly govern the world without God and the bible.' Go home Grassley. You need a break.
2007-11-12 04:27:43 · answer #4 · answered by JesusIsTheAnswer 4 · 0⤊ 3⤋
In America Churches are the only institution that have no reporting requirements at all.
The temptations for criminals are far to high. If you were looking for a way to launder money you would not be able to find a more ideal method.
Anonymous contributions and no requirement to report on revenues or expenses. If I was a drug dealer I would have a church to deal with the money.
2007-11-12 04:05:55 · answer #5 · answered by Y!A-FOOL 5 · 4⤊ 0⤋
On the surface, it's a great start, but really, I doubt much comes from it. The government just wants its cut from the biggest offenders. The snake oil salesmen will just have to howl a little louder to make up the difference...
At least they might be able to tax some of the smaller fish in to non-existance, but I doubt it. As P.T. Barnum noted, there's a sucker born every minute....
2007-11-12 03:55:01 · answer #6 · answered by ? 4 · 5⤊ 1⤋
I really don't care if these guys get rich off of their parishioners - but I do feel sorry for the ignorant masses who give these guys clowns money every Sunday.
How can they be that gullible? They freely give, knowing that it is going to this guys mega-expensive luxury material items.
2007-11-12 04:11:19 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
One allegation or one hundred, it is all they are - allegations. i will accuse you, as an occasion, of all kinds of vile habit, yet that doesn't make you to blame. How's approximately enable's only enable the investigations to run their course, on the same time as you and that i pay interest to the flaws we've the flexibility to alter - our own behaviors?
2016-10-16 06:06:29 · answer #8 · answered by esquinaldo 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Churches are big businesses. And they should be taxed. As far as I'm concerned, churches that get police and fire protection for free is the same thing as taxed-supported religion.
2007-11-12 03:55:47 · answer #9 · answered by The Doctor 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Yes, he is. Those people's (the parishioners) trusts are obviously being violated. The law is being broken, both human and their god's. They should be punished here and hereafter (by whatever punishment system they believe in).
2007-11-12 03:58:00 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 6⤊ 0⤋