Reply #64: So much ignorance and prejudice, so little time [View All]

[Lydia Leftcoast]

Honestly, this topic comes up every once in a while, and it becomes an opportunity for people whose only contact with religion was being brought up by abusive fanatics (or who haven't even had that much contact with religion at all) to vent their uninformed prejudices. (I say "uninformed" because they assume what is true of the megachurches is also true of the historic mainstream denominations.)

Also, you do realize, don't you, that most churches are NOT wealthy? If you haven't actually served on a church governing board, you have no idea of how much trouble most parishes have making income keep up with operating expenses. The charitable programs don't just happen by themselves. Someone has to organize them, and they mostly have to happen in buildings. Supplies need to be stored. Kitchens need to be kept clean and in good repair. We have to buy food, and we can't always get it at a discount or donated. A janitor or other staff member has to be present to clean up and lock up afterward. My church is used every day of the week, not only for church-based meetings and events, but also for charitable activities and outside groups, which use our space either free or for a nominal rent. (A music ensemble gets to use our space for rehearsals and concerts on the condition that they play at our Christmas Eve and Easter services.)

By the way, our clergy do NOT control the church's finances. Nobody's buying a mansion on the proceeds from the offering plate. Not in a mainstream church. The finances are controlled by a board elected from the congregation at large, and the clergy are paid on a scale set by the church's local governing body (diocese, synod, etc.) Clergy are given a discretionary fund to help needy people outside the confines of the church's programs, but they have to account for it at the end of each month. Oh, and I've heard anti-religious bigots claim that clergy's salaries are not taxed. Sorry, folks. Clergy pay income tax like the rest of us, although they pay self-employment tax like a self-employed person instead of FICA.

The worship services are not "useless." They are essential for creating the spirit of community that motivates people to volunteer. The people in a church are willing to volunteer for these community program together because they have created ties among themselves through worship services, study groups, and social activities.

Oh, and we use a room that is technically within the church proper as a daytime drop-in center for the homeless. At times it serves as a social area for youth. Gee, should that be taxed or not?

When people show up, we serve them. We don't ask them what religion, if any, they are. We don't categorize people by race or gender or sexual orientation. They don't have to fill out any forms. They don't have to be referred by anybody. If they're in need, all they have to do is show up at the appointed times.

When there are special needs in the U.S. or around the world, we have fund drives, especially after natural disasters.

Okay, so if churches should be taxed, how about other charitable organizations? How about your favorite secular charity, arts organization, or college?

But don't let an insider's version of the FACTS confuse you. Just keep letting out that pent-up venom from your horrible fundie or Mormon or conservative Catholic upbringing.