10th February 2010
“The question of whether religious charities receiving any taxpayer monies are permitted to discriminate in hiring depends on the circumstances. There is no such ambiguity when a religious charity wishes to use public dollars, collected by compulsory taxation, to favor only adherents of its own faith. Such subsidization of tax dollars for religious purposes is an unfair, and arguably unconstitutional, advancement of religion.”
J. Brent Walker
February 10th, 2010 at 1:07
Couldn’t agree more with this quote.
February 10th, 2010 at 1:09
But what can be done about it?
Nothing.
February 10th, 2010 at 1:21
When such discrimination can be proved in court they do in fact risk their tax-status or at least their public funds.
A recent example:
http://www.kelowna.com/2010/01/23/advocacy-costly-for-church-fellowship-loses-tax-status-as-charity/
February 10th, 2010 at 2:02
What about all the crap the mormans do?
February 10th, 2010 at 5:22
What can be done?
1. Focus on promoting and electing officials who are rational thinkers.
2. Speak out – it’s not “intolerance” to speak out against religion.
3. Don’t give up.
February 10th, 2010 at 5:37
Agree with the quote and with every comment, especially Cap’n’s and Greg’s. I don’t necessarily speak out against religion :-), but even in my church I speak out often and loudly against government – that is, tax-payer – subsidies of so-called ‘faith-based’ groups. Like Greg says, “Don’t give up.” There are religionists who agree. The wheels of change can grind slowly, but grind they do.
February 10th, 2010 at 5:38
Oh and . . . ka . . . ka . . . ka . . . Bottoms Up!
February 10th, 2010 at 5:44
Drinking a good bottle of wine right now. Gotta love this drinking game!
February 10th, 2010 at 6:17
It’s worth noting that the organization Americans United for the Separation of Church and State is headed by the Rev. Barry Lynn, an ordained minister in the United Church of Christ. The board is comprised of other ministers, a councilor, a rabbi, a couple lawyers and several academics. It’s nice to see an example of such cooperation on a mutually beneficial issue.
February 10th, 2010 at 8:48
That’s some good inf, CapZ.
Night all.
February 10th, 2010 at 12:48
What part of the world do you fellows live in? Sounds like a place I would rather not be. You certainly do have you’re problems. Money seems to really motivate. But you can’t take it with you. You’re so down on Religion. Have a bit of respect for a persons beliefs.Never mind the name calling. You act like a bunch of immature teenagers.
February 10th, 2010 at 13:20
Says the man with the priests in palaces. How much has your religion stolen from us? More than it has ever given.
New link to check out. Avail as mp3 if you have limited downloads like me.
http://patcondell.libsyn.com/index.php?post_category=podcasts
Hope you enjoy. Ka, Ka, Kah!
February 10th, 2010 at 14:34
Somebody tries to mimic my Patented laughs.
February 10th, 2010 at 15:10
THIS SITE IS ONE BIG LAUGH HA HA HA HA. ASK ME IF I CARE. YOU’RE ALL SCAVELLING TO FINE PROOF OF THIS PROOF OF THAT. YOU’RE ALWAYS CRAPPING ON RELIGIONS.YOU DON’T THINK MUCH OF CHRISTIANS.YOU ONLY HAVE TIME FOR YOUR OWN IDEAS. THIS SITE IS LAUGHABLE.
February 10th, 2010 at 16:00
“I contend that we are both atheists. I just believe in one fewer god than you do. When you understand why you dismiss all the other possible gods, you will understand why I dismiss yours”
– Stephen Roberts
February 10th, 2010 at 16:13
tech
Why are you bothering to comment here? You know if I was to hang around a Christian blog and instead of addressing the debate (in this case primed by a quote) at hand, spent my time dissing otherwise intelligent comment, I would expect to be treated as a troll.
So, do you think it is justifiable for a tax exempt or government funded faith based charity to discriminate against peole who do not subscribe to that faith. Do you think such charities should be able to use such funding to proseletyse. Is you do why?
February 10th, 2010 at 16:50
Mr.Atheist MC do you believe in charity? Do you give? If so, do you claim it on you’re income tax?
February 10th, 2010 at 16:56
Tech – you say ” YOU’RE ALL SCAVELLING TO FINE PROOF OF THIS PROOF OF THAT.” I’m not “scavelling” for anything, whatever that might mean. But I am waiting, patiently, for the people that keep trying to assert god into existence to provide something more than unhinged rants.
P.S. Best not to comment after you’ve had a few. I “fine” my writing goes downhill.
P.P.S – Heretic – that’s one of my all-time favorites but I’m afraid the logic of it is lost on Tech.
February 10th, 2010 at 18:16
Captain, who’s to assert God into existence. God always was and always will be.I personally don,t feel the need provide you with anything.If you don’t believe, its fine with me. Choose to dismiss Him if you like.He still holds your life in the palm of His hand.Every breath you take He gives you.
February 10th, 2010 at 18:18
February 10th, 2010 at 18:19
sorry forgot to close the blockquote
February 10th, 2010 at 18:22
Tech – I read a quote in the National Secular newsletter (UK) last week that made me smile and fits your post well.
“If you don’t want us to make fun of your beliefs, don’t have stupid beliefs.” (James H. Jones).
February 10th, 2010 at 18:25
He came to this earth as a savior and was rejected by many. He was lead as lamb to the slaughter, but when He returns again He’ll return as King of Kings and Lords of Lords.Be ready.
February 10th, 2010 at 18:29
Atheist MC I do give on a regular basis.
February 10th, 2010 at 18:33
Whoa, slow down tech. You’re getting pretty worked up here. Captain has asked you a direct question based on the AQOTD and you completely ignore it.
Let’s make the question even more simple: should ANY charity be allowed to discriminate against anyone who does not subscribe to that charity’s beliefs? Should they receive tax-exempt status if they do?
You also asked MC whether or not he believes in charity or if he claims a tax deduction for it. This is completely irrelevant to his question.
Charity shouldn’t be provided with expectations or viewed as an opportunity to convert people into believing what you believe. That is not charity. That is called advertising.
I give hundreds of dollars every year to various charities – all to non-faith, non-profit groups – and expect that the money will be used to help people in need, not proselytize about the non-existence of god or the benefits of one political agenda or another. It’s about helping people in need, not promoting agendas.
I get upset when I see “missionairies” in places where people are vulnerable because I believe they’re not there for the right reasons. If it wasn’t for their belief in god they wouldn’t be there, and this is wrong, in my view. If you want to provide charity, do it because you WANT to help someone, not because your god or church EXPECTS you to do it.
February 10th, 2010 at 18:35
Peb, Just the kind of remark I have come to expect from you. If its not your belief or your thoughts proven by science, then its got to be stupid.
February 10th, 2010 at 18:54
My answer to the captains question is No. All charities should receive tax- exempt status. I totally agree with you Greg on the last part of your post.
February 10th, 2010 at 20:21
It was MC, not me that asked/answered the question regarding charitable giving.
February 10th, 2010 at 21:14
tech
Sorry if I’m being a bit dim but I didn’t really get your answer. Are you saying all charities should be tax exempt even if they discriminate on the recipients?
February 10th, 2010 at 21:32
I think you will all enjoy this:
http://www.disinfo.com/2010/02/stephen-fry-the-intelligence%C2%B2-debate/
I’d watch the entire debate. It was brilliant. But Mr. Fry was great on his own.
February 10th, 2010 at 21:58
No they should not discriminate against the recipients,if so and proven ,they should loose their tax exemption.
February 10th, 2010 at 22:11
tech
Good, a well considered and rational answer. (in my opinion 🙂
Cap’n
That is bloody brilliant. Stephen Fry has always been a bit of a hero of mine, he just became a f**kin’ god… no wait, maybe not quite 🙂
February 10th, 2010 at 22:40
Hey Tech – We agree one something! Now that’s progress…or a sure sign of the coming apocalypse. Ka ka ka.
February 11th, 2010 at 1:42
Nice CaptainZero1969 a refreshing and very true vid