28 replies to this topic

[Vigile]

I doubt the tax write off has much to do with it. Most who send money probably just claim the standard deduction to begin with and can't use the write off. People give to the church because they are suckered into doing so, not because they get a tax deduction.

[LivingLife]

I vaguely remember one TBN church pastor using this tax aspect to encourage folk to give and pretty much summarised as the gubment gonna take it anyway, might as well give it to us.

In my wooish days I tithed direct out of the business and the book keeper was able to field it as a donation. I ended up paying very little tax b/c of this. I did not expect it to be written off but I did not complain.

[Vigile]

IRS Standard deduction table:

http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=255120,00.html

Single $5,800
Married Filing Jointly $11,600
Head of Household $8,500
Married Filing Separately $5,800
Qualifying Widow(er) $11,600

That means you would have to have at least this many write offs, including tithes in order to deduct your tithes. If you have less, you just take the standard deduction. Many people can deduct more, but your typical TBN watcher probably isn't among this group that can claim more than standard. Just my guess based on observation.

[FeelHappy]

Sounds like the Paul Crouch gay scandal from a few years ago. Why anyone would still give them money I don't understand (well actually I do).

I believe a lot of it is fraud not protected by speech and religious protection. No one yet has the balls to go after it though.

People who give them money are like my best friend's poor Mexican grandmother who couldn't leave the house due to health issues and who would send part of her SS check to TBN because they appealed to her emotional needs. The nation's attorney generals are failing at their duty to protect helpless people like this sweet old lady.

I know too much about this, my wheelchair bound grandparents having no way to work and living off of social security always found a way to give and gave to TBN always believing that god would one day reward them, its utter crap, and I'm so glad to be out of that cult. I abhor the prosperity gospel.

[mwc]

Would jesus fly coach or have his own plane?

Jesus flew solo without a plane.

mwc

Edited by mwc, 29 June 2012 - 04:31 PM.

[MrsRoper]

Would jesus fly coach or have his own plane?

Jesus flew solo without a plane.

mwc

I believe Jesus flew on a dragon.

[mcdaddy]

Would jesus fly coach or have his own plane?

Jesus flew solo without a plane.

mwc

I believe Jesus flew on a dragon.

Jesus was one fly mofo. Some would say, pterodactyl fly.

[jensjam]

Confession time: I at one time worked for a company-telemarketing company that took calls for TBN network especially their "Prayer-a-thon". I am ashamed I took those calls after the fact because all they cared about was getting the money. They would encourage people to "Sow a Seed" of $1000.00 that people could give them monthly and we where forced to ask for 2 credit card payments and two check by phones Electronic check before sending them a pledge card.


That place is such a scam and should be shut down. To me it is one thing for a person who is religious minded to give because they want to BUT when you have a "CORPORATION" --Yes, I look at these "CHURCHES" and TV stations is nothing more than a Corporate business that perhaps is the most evil considering they are able to use Tax exempt clauses that "REAL" religion gets.

They all need to go to jail.

[FeelHappy]

In all honesty TBN was the start of my apostasy, I watched it a bunch at first but then started to question the morality of asking for this and that from old women....

but before that I almost sent Benny Hinn my entire tax return one year.