This past week many pastors have been busted on fraud charges. Apparently, innocent church-goers who voluntarily tithe, are being used for the pastors' personal means.
Originally, people didn't tithe to worship as church was free for all who came to praise the Lord. Then restrictions within churches began surfacing and as a result, certain church leaders began acting as God themselves.
God says come as you are, then it changed to come with your wallet, come dressed up and by the way if you're gay -- don't come at all.
Originally, people didn't tithe to worship as church was free for all who came to praise the Lord. Then restrictions within churches began surfacing and as a result, certain church leaders began acting as God themselves.
God says come as you are, then it changed to come with your wallet, come dressed up and by the way if you're gay -- don't come at all.
In 1785, our first President George Washington, disagreed with a bill commenting that "Making people pay towards the support of the religion which they profess to adapt is impolitic".
Washington felt that passing such a measure which should have never been proposed, would have disturbed public tranquility.
So what initiated churches to begin taking cash from its constituents, in order to praise their religion of choice?
I've been told the generated funds usually go towards the upkeep and bills of the church. But if pastors are constantly siphoning tithes from the church, how are the church bills being paid? Is there money coming from some other organization that we aren't aware of?
Are churches exempt from filing taxes on the money they receive, so that the IRS can't track the amount of money being brought in?
The only businesses I can think of that are exempt from paying taxes are non-profits, and non-profits are not allowed to take money from people unless it's through fundraising.
Non-profits usually receive assistance from the government, so if the government is paying the church's bills does that mean that the civilian donations are up for grabs?
How can a pastor steal from God's people? Does this not stay on their conscience?
I guess the devil will hide anywhere even in the pulpit, but how do we stop corrupt pastors from entering the ministry?
Maybe we'll never be able to, but there should definitely be oversight to enforce strict rules and regulations don't you agree?
Washington felt that passing such a measure which should have never been proposed, would have disturbed public tranquility.
So what initiated churches to begin taking cash from its constituents, in order to praise their religion of choice?
I've been told the generated funds usually go towards the upkeep and bills of the church. But if pastors are constantly siphoning tithes from the church, how are the church bills being paid? Is there money coming from some other organization that we aren't aware of?
Are churches exempt from filing taxes on the money they receive, so that the IRS can't track the amount of money being brought in?
The only businesses I can think of that are exempt from paying taxes are non-profits, and non-profits are not allowed to take money from people unless it's through fundraising.
Non-profits usually receive assistance from the government, so if the government is paying the church's bills does that mean that the civilian donations are up for grabs?
How can a pastor steal from God's people? Does this not stay on their conscience?
I guess the devil will hide anywhere even in the pulpit, but how do we stop corrupt pastors from entering the ministry?
Maybe we'll never be able to, but there should definitely be oversight to enforce strict rules and regulations don't you agree?
2009 LA
