The 700 Club. 700 What??! Grifters?

[DonRedwood]

I just turned the tv on (home sick, cough cough) and the 700 Club was on (though I didn't know what it was at first). They were doing a story on a family that lost everything a few years ago. Her job, Their house, they moved from 4000 square feet with their kids down to 1000. Their marriage was faltering but then they remembered what would save them, what would keep Jesus in their hearts! THey figured out how they could save themselves!!

The last part I saw was the man writing a check as the voice over says "They made the decision to keep on paying their monthly tithe."

Yes, their kids have no food, they've moved to a shack, the dad is working two jobs and, most importantly, Jesus still loves them because they gave they 700 Club (not their local church, not the pastor who might actually be able to help them) but the 700 club a chunk of their income.

Because, let's face it...limousines and Armani Suits don't pay for themselves. And Jesus' friends at the 700 Club really, really, really need those things!

(and,no, this is not an anti-religious message...it is an anti-grifters message).

[Dawson Leery]

1. Megachurches are ALL shams.

Joel Osteen live in a 10 million dollar house.
Tax em'!

[DonRedwood]

2. No taxes paid on the houses?

[sharp_stick]

6. Of course not

it belongs to the church not the preacher.

Don't know about Osteen individually but the old tactic of having all the taxable property belonging to the church is almost as old as the original grift itself.

[DonRedwood]

9. Property should be taxed

if it goes over a certain value. I'm OK with the country church not being taxed or a city orphanage run by nuns. But if the church owns a $10,000,000 house...well, they can afford to pay taxes on it.

And don't get me started on the Pope's robes with their gold threads. I know poor Catholics. The world is full of poor Catholics paying tithes so the Pope can wear gold thread. C'mon new Pope! Give up the gold thread and feed some kids!

[longship]

7. Google "parsonage exemption"

You'll find out how badly pastors can go in shearing their flocks for luxury living styles.

R&K

[DonRedwood]

12. I have a feeling that this is really going to piss me off!

[longship]

17. Maybe, my friend. Maybe.

[magellan]

8. Evidently they're allowed to deduct property taxes

...as well as mortgage interest.

http://www.clergytaxnet.com/Clergy%20Tax%20Facts/top10.htm

Mortgage interest and property taxes

You can deduct the mortgage interest (not the principal) that you pay on a loan secured by your primary residence or a second home. To claim the deduction, you must be obligated to pay the debt and you must actually make the payments.

You can also deduct any taxes you pay on real estate you own. If you have a mortgage on the property, the annual mortgage statement (Form 1098) you receive from the bank should include both the amount you paid in real estate taxes for the year and the interest and points you paid for the year (your mortgage interest deduction).

[Bobbie Jo]

19. I'm familiar

A local "mega church" bought my home for their pastor about a year ago. I was underwater on the mortgage for nearly $10,000. I actually had to bring a check to the closing.

They paid cash.

[Initech]

3. To quote the late great George Carlin:

"God is all knowing, all powerful, but he just can't handle money!!!! God has a big money problem!"

Fuck the 700 Club.

[backscatter712]

10. You've got to have the whole clip!

[Initech]

20. This is the bit I was referring to:

[valerief]

4. Sometimes I wonder what happened to the brains of people who give $$ to charlatans like them. nt

[olddots]

5. That stuff makes me semi suicidal

We have about 17 stations that show these scam artists the number seems to rise .

[DonRedwood]

14. It comes on after the morning weather...and I always get pissed

when I hear it start up. Lol..I don't want it on for even a minute!

[backscatter712]

11. I think I hear a song coming on!

[Mnemosyne]

13. Say it isn't so, Don! I am shocked, I tell ya', shocked. nt

[lapislzi]

15. My husband calls them Sky Grifters.

I have yet to hear a better term.

Don, you and I are obviously in the wrong line of work

[DonRedwood]

16. I think so!!

[LeftInTX]

18. Don't forget: "Give money and Jesus will heal you"

And the old Romper Room trick, "God is tell us there is a woman watching who is trying to get pregnant but can't conceive and God just told us another viewer was just diagnosed with breast cancer".