Tax free, huh?

[theHandpuppet]

Tell me, has a case against the tax exemptions for churches ever come to federal court? Has anyone ever calculated just how much our government gives away by these exemptions? (The figure would probably scare me.) This shit is getting ridiculous.

One on 1 Profile: The Rev. A.R. Bernard Ushers His Megachurch Following Into the 21st Century
By: Budd Mishkin
07/21/2014

(excerpt)
...There's also a sight you might not associate with a religious institution: ATM machines.

"This is a matter of convenience," Bernard says. "People come, they're going to the cafe, they're going to the bookstore, we're maybe selling tickets for a concert or whatever, and instead of them having to go somewhere in the neighborhood to try to find, we put it here."

Bernard's followers can also find him on his radio and television shows...

...Bernard briefly considered a run for mayor in 2013. He's a rare breed: an influential African-American pastor, and a Republican....

MORE at http://www.ny1.com/content/shows/one_on_1/212596/one-on-1-profile--the-rev--a-r--bernard-ushers-his-megachurch-following-into-the-21st-century/

[Bryce Butler]

1. ...

"Has anyone ever calculated just how much our government gives away by these exemptions?"

The Yearly Cost of Religious Tax Exemptions: $71,000,000,000

[Curmudgeoness]

2. That is incredible

and I wonder if it is on the low side. I have been critical of religious tax exemptions for years, but I feel like the last dodo...very lonely.

[theHandpuppet]

3. Wow.

I feared I didn't really want to know.

Can you imagine what we might be able to do with an extra $71,000,000,000? The mind boggles.

[DetlefK]

4. Remember the bishop of "Bling", the bishop of Limburg, Germany?

The diocese of Limburg has a total net worth of €909 million.

[FiveGoodMen]

5. Drive that machine out with a whip!

[theHandpuppet]

6. Here's another example of this bullshit

It's not like Kentucky could use that tax money. After all, they used special funds earmarked to help develop jobs in Appalachia to rebuild Rupp Arena. Why not build a biblical theme park with municipal bonds and millions in tax incentives? By the way, I think this is the same outfit that built the Creation Museum, which has been losing money and attendance for years now.

Tax incentives sought for Noah's Ark theme park
Tom Loftus, 6:43 p.m. EDT July 25, 2014

FRANKFORT, Ky. – Ark Encounter will return to Frankfort on Tuesday to seek — for a second time — state approval of tax incentives for its proposed Noah's Ark theme park in Grant County.

Three years ago, the group won approval of incentives for its entire $172.5 million project, but because of funding problems it withdrew that application and now is seeking approval for a $73 million first phase of the biblical theme park.

And it expects preliminary approval Tuesday from the Kentucky Tourism Development Finance Authority and plans to break ground next month.

"We can begin construction as soon as we get preliminary approval," said Mike Zovath, Ark Encounter's project coordinator. "And we expect to get that because the project fits all the criteria for the tourism act.".... much MORE, unfortunately

http://www.cincinnati.com/story/life/faith/2014/07/25/tax-incentives-sought-noahs-ark-theme-park/13182649/