Lynn Gets Religion’s Number

8 03 2009

Churches — a humble godsend blessing our communities, or right up there with Wall Street at arrogant, unregulated and even untaxed money grabs? You decide.

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7 responses

8 03 2009
Nance Confer (10:18:53) :

Is there any proof of harm from these towers?

I’d rather not see them. I’d be happy to have the giant concrete column at the end of my street hidden in some clever way.

I don’t see why there shouldn’t be a public announcement if they are on public land, like a school, but a church is a private business on private property. Unless there is a health issue — beyond speculation — that would effect the neighboring area.

I’d also be happy to have churches pay their share of taxes, like every other private business, but that’s another issue. 🙂

Nance

8 03 2009
JJ (10:30:46) :

We-ell, it’s part of this issue too, as in taxing the “private” income derived from it just as if there were any other for-profit business being operated on that private property? For example, from one of Lynn’s links is this NYT regional brief today:

The township of Bloomfield is suing a Roman Catholic church so it can collect taxes on the six cellular phone towers the church houses in its steeple. Bloomfield is acting under a newly changed state law that allows governments to tax churches and other religious institutions for the portions of their facilities leased to profit-making ventures. St. Thomas the Apostle Church rents space to VoiceStream Wireless, and is in litigation with the township over how much of a value should be placed on the tower rentals.

8 03 2009
Nance Confer (17:54:07) :

Well, that sounds like a good thing.

Nance

8 03 2009
JJ (18:24:40) :

Now if we can just find a way to tax all the political money sloshing around in religion, for things like Prop 8! 🙂

8 03 2009
JJ (18:26:03) :

About the health concerns and proof of harm, though — that took me by surprise too. I haven’t seen any of the science (or the propaganda as the case may be) on that — not that I’ve looked — and it’s not what makes me crazy about all this. . . yep, for me for once, it’s all about the money.

9 03 2009
boremetotears (12:58:05) :

My latest comment [rolling eyes]:

Fascinating stuff, especially since my church has been looking into this option.

I just sent a link to one of the pastors. Good stuff to be aware of. Thanks for sharing!

~Luke

9 03 2009
boremetotears (13:06:01) :

re: “money sloshing around in religion, for things like Prop 8!”

Uh, don’t remind me… I saw a bit of the televised Supreme Court hearings recently… I feel rage in my future…

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