Freethought & Rationalism Archive

Ron Garrett · 09-04-2002, 12:05 PM

I am well familiar with Saddleback Church in Orange County. 17 piece stage band, complete with mariachis, that would make Elton John jealous. Some of the big fundy churches in Orange County like Calvary Chapel, Saddleback, Harvest, Vineyard, Calvary Church, have megabucks and some of the pastors have been given millions in residential property including one multi-million home on Balboa that I know of and another on Catalina. They have high rise office buildings, bookstores, schools, publishing houses, record companies, you name it. It's definitely a racket.

brighid · 09-04-2002, 12:13 PM

Wow � I thought Christian ministers were supposed to take some sort of vow of poverty, or at least modesty � a $360,000 home! Damn � I need to become a minister, or perhaps (if I had a penis) a Catholic Cardinal. The mansions those men live in are absolutely decadent and the nuns quarters that are attached are drab, cold and 20 nuns must live in a space 1/10 the size a single Cardinal and a few others must live in �

Brighid

ohwilleke · 09-05-2002, 03:25 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by brighid:
<strong>Wow – I thought Christian ministers were supposed to take some sort of vow of poverty, or at least modesty – a $360,000 home! Damn – I need to become a minister, or perhaps (if I had a penis) a Catholic Cardinal. The mansions those men live in are absolutely decadent and the nuns quarters that are attached are drab, cold and 20 nuns must live in a space 1/10 the size a single Cardinal and a few others must live in …

Brighid</strong>

Only Catholics have to vow poverty. Protestants just view wealth as a sign of God's favor.

ohwilleke · 09-05-2002, 03:30 PM

If Chemersky can get standing, I think that the case on the merits for the housing allowance is very weak. It is one of the few provisions in the tax code that is religion specific as opposed to being for all nonprofits.

4th Generation Atheist · 09-09-2002, 04:47 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Ron Garrett:
<strong>I am well familiar with Saddleback Church in Orange County. 17 piece stage band, complete with mariachis, that would make Elton John jealous. Some of the big fundy churches in Orange County like Calvary Chapel, Saddleback, Harvest, Vineyard, Calvary Church, have megabucks and some of the pastors have been given millions in residential property including one multi-million home on Balboa that I know of and another on Catalina. They have high rise office buildings, bookstores, schools, publishing houses, record companies, you name it. It's definitely a racket.</strong>

Yeah, but a Xtian racket, so that makes it all right. [/sarcasm]

Imagine if it was the Hare Krishnas making this demand. Yeah, right. They too are a well-moneyed racket/cult, much like the one described here, but b/c the decor in their temples is different the law is applied differently. Somehow, if it's a cross above the front door you're allowed to just go and do these things....

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09-04-2002, 12:05 PM	#11
Ron Garrett Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: United States Posts: 1,657	I am well familiar with Saddleback Church in Orange County. 17 piece stage band, complete with mariachis, that would make Elton John jealous. Some of the big fundy churches in Orange County like Calvary Chapel, Saddleback, Harvest, Vineyard, Calvary Church, have megabucks and some of the pastors have been given millions in residential property including one multi-million home on Balboa that I know of and another on Catalina. They have high rise office buildings, bookstores, schools, publishing houses, record companies, you name it. It's definitely a racket.

09-04-2002, 12:13 PM	#12
brighid Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: somewhere in the known Universe Posts: 6,993	Wow � I thought Christian ministers were supposed to take some sort of vow of poverty, or at least modesty � a $360,000 home! Damn � I need to become a minister, or perhaps (if I had a penis) a Catholic Cardinal. The mansions those men live in are absolutely decadent and the nuns quarters that are attached are drab, cold and 20 nuns must live in a space 1/10 the size a single Cardinal and a few others must live in � Brighid

09-05-2002, 03:30 PM	#14
ohwilleke Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Denver, Colorado, USA Posts: 4,834	If Chemersky can get standing, I think that the case on the merits for the housing allowance is very weak. It is one of the few provisions in the tax code that is religion specific as opposed to being for all nonprofits.

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