And so it begins.....

First of all, let me say that if you're ever in Northern New Jersey, you have to go to the Tabernacle in Ocean Grove it's a wonderful old Victorian building with little cabins set up around it. It's one of the last strongholds of sound doctrines and holiness in the doctrinal trainwreck that is the UMC.

When I was a kid, my youth group used to go there all the time.

Second, good for them. I hope they sue. They'll win in about three seconds.

I just can't get over the idea that it's a United Methodist group that's standing up against gay marriage.

 

Taking a stand for one's principles can be costly - in this case a tax exemption.

 

The Methodists. As I understand the law, the state can't compel them to go against their beliefs by threatening to revoke their tax-exempt status. That's a clear violation of the 1st Amendment.

 

It is good to see at least some Methodists take a stand.

I hope they plow it under and make a parking lot out of it before they allow themselves to be forced to violate Christian precepts.

 

I don't think this is a big deal. Nobody is denying the church freedom of conscience. If you feed at the government trough, you play by the government's rules.

If churches would pay thir own way, there would be no issue. Choose who you serve.

 

It's no big deal to Maggie here that bodies of government are offering tax exemptions based on church doctrine, not on the religious/charitable character of the institution themselves.

 

Serious question...What do you mean by that statement?

Do you think churches ought to pay taxes?

 

It's no big deal to Alkie here that his statement is not at all what I am saying. Please show where I said anything about doctrine.

 

Yes I do. Churches get utility hook ups, fire and police protection, trash pickup, etc., yet we all subsidize that through our taxes...even for religions with which we disagree. We pay for the services for churches, mosques, synagogues, and even covens if they are organized. Let religion pay its own way. I see this as a violation of the First Amendment. Plus it would keep government out of the church's business.

 

I agree with this at least in the case of most churches. If they own so much property that they can't afford the taxes, sell some of it. If they are fiscally in good shape, cut the strings of government. I fought this fight in my church some years ago, but lost, and I suspect that's the case for most churches.

There is a humorousness in listening to a pastor who doesn't really know the rules, and is trying to say something he feels is on the edge.

 

Yes, but you know, hillclimber, the attraction of tax exemption is strong. The pull should be freedom to proclaim and practice the gospel, not to save a few bucks on taxes.

 

I'm betting there will be more and more trouble that comes from the 501c3 status. But leave it in place (as a law) and encourage your church to back out. Good Providence (luck) though.

 

I don't know about your area, but our church pays for trash pickup, utility service, etc, etc.

I can tell you this, if the government starts to tax our church, we will have to fold up. We are a small congregation of mainly lower-class folks. We don't have a yearly budget, and we have never spent more than $10,000 on anything (all bills total) in a single year.

If you want to run small churches like mine into the ground, then push ahead with your idea.

 

Exactly. We agree again.:laugh:

 

Surely a sign of the apocalypse! :laugh: :thumbs:

 

This is why I said most churches up above here. I think the body of believers should step up and stand up for the freedom to preach the whole gospel without fear that their 501c3 status brings, and pony up the taxes, or continue on with increasing pressures that will come.

Bro. James: You don't pay your pastor, or secretary, or have a youth group budget?

 

We're Primitive Baptist. We don't have auxiliaries such as formal "youth groups" or anything. Our Pastor is paid a small amount when he preaches for us the same as any other minister is paid when he preaches for us. His appointments at our church are twice a month. The amount is about enough to pay for his gas and a meal or two. I am the church clerk/secretary, and no, I don't get paid. We don't have a regular staff or anything.