Tom Cruise Is freaking nuts...watch this Scientologist video

[HATEFACE]

Also do you have any thoughts of it increasing cult worship?

I don't see much of a connection. Poor churches would function as non-profits, large churches would hire tax attorneys and create shelters, the Catholic Church could even conceivably declare itself a foreign entity not subject to taxation. The main effect would be transparency. BTW, the primary reasoning behind doing it in the first place is that by law churches are forbidden to engage in political campaigning as part of their tax exemption, but they do it anyway. So basically I wouldn't even have to pass any laws, I would just enforce the existing ones.

Why, you're as mad as a hatter friend! You're fooling yourself to think a politician would obey the rule of law or not bend to the will of the religious right, money, corruption, or special interest. e.g. Clinton Administration's don't ask don't tell policy. Sure he could of been stubbern and stuck his guns but no, now we have that debate. Thanks a bunch!, sincerely America.

[Veilan]

This is obviously aimed at the huge for profit evangelical churches which are barely about religion at all, though the Catholic churches would get hit pretty hard too.

It seems to be a recurring theme with you that Protestants are about money and profit, and Catholics are somehow morally superior in that aspect.

I'm really curious where that misconception comes from, or whether it is really that way in the States.

A first glance at the Vatican's assets and businesses should be a good indicator that it's in fact a multinational, giant corporation. But, let's look at the layman level.

Tithes are higher for Catholics (the "Tenth" that Protestants have to pay is 1/10th of the income tax over here, not 1/10th of the income). In a Catholic church, you have to pay for everything and anything, and be it lighting a candle. There are even donation boxes in front of every little idol. The Catholic church blows a load more money into services, the joke about paying for the communion wine comes from that fact that Catholics actually use wine, while with Protestants it's just grape or even apple juice. Of course, both churches do a lot of humanitarian work, where Catholics focus more on Catholics around the world though, while the Protestants are more likely to fund non-confessional projects, especially through the Diakonie.

The Protestant (evangelical) church is a result of protest against the greedy, money-centered ways of the papal church. While I'm sure they have their own corporate interests, in present-day Germany this is still very obvious across the Protestant church.

[Grand Fromage]

Mulu's specifically talking about the megachurches, which are giant profit machines. It's not to say the Catholics aren't all about the money too, but that the Protestants have made huge strides and caught up, if not overtaken them in the US.

Look up megachurches and you'll see what he's talking about.

[JaydeMoon]

The REAL Tom Cruise Scientology video!!!

You make watch!

[Mulu]

Why, you're as mad as a hatter friend! You're fooling yourself to think a politician would obey the rule of law or not bend to the will of the religious right, money, corruption, or special interest.

I never once said this was actually possible....

We're in Mulutopia, remember?

[HATEFACE]

Why, you're as mad as a hatter friend! You're fooling yourself to think a politician would obey the rule of law or not bend to the will of the religious right, money, corruption, or special interest.

I never once said this was actually possible....

We're in Mulutopia, remember?

Unfortunately, I tend to live in the real world more than Mulutopia. Looks like whoever wins will leave some or more troops in too protect our vital "interests." Maybe if you believe hard enough, Mulutopia will one day be possible. Now go forth and vote for your yesmen bobble heads.

[Mulu]

Worth a second post.