Oct 25, 2011 -- 5:48PM, Esdraelon wrote:

The mega-churches are obviously exploiting the status. $800 billion in land and property holdings is doing exactly what to serve the furtherance of the dictates of Jesus Christ?

Well... that's by the entire American RC church.

There's a church that's moving off-campus ministries back home - a move that will increase efficiency.  Plans are to build a large food pantry and an auto-repair facility, along with smaller office settings for financial services.  That's going to cost a pretty penny in the short run, and increase net holdings beyond what people think is appropriate for a church.

Oct 25, 2011 -- 6:12PM, Hoppy393 wrote:

Oct 25, 2011 -- 5:48PM, Esdraelon wrote:

The mega-churches are obviously exploiting the status. $800 billion in land and property holdings is doing exactly what to serve the furtherance of the dictates of Jesus Christ?

Well... that's by the entire American RC church.

There's a church that's moving off-campus ministries back home - a move that will increase efficiency.  Plans are to build a large food pantry and an auto-repair facility, along with smaller office settings for financial services.  That's going to cost a pretty penny in the short run, and increase net holdings beyond what people think is appropriate for a church.

I guess it depends upon what one believes is the mission of the church..to further the gospel of Jesus Christ or simply be a social thing...or become cities within themselves....would Christ even recognize such?

A not-for-profit business should not have any profits to pay taxes on.  We could allow putting money away for expansion of the facilities, but that is all.

Oct 25, 2011 -- 5:48PM, Esdraelon wrote:

 

Oct 25, 2011 -- 3:33PM, Esdraelon wrote:

It has been said that the Vatican has accumulated a vast amount of property and other holdings in the United States in excess of $800 Billion, sic, no one knows exactly how much.

'Bishops' of huge 'mega-churches' are showing off their fleet s of Rolls and other exotic automobiles.

All tax free.

All things considered, if the church cannot show that its temporal holdings are not furthering the purpose of the church, should these holdings be taxed?

Oct 25, 2011 -- 5:16PM, Ed.W wrote:

So you want to take away a church's 501(c)3 status once they get enough money to covet?

The mega-churches are obviously exploiting the status. $800 billion in land and property holdings is doing exactly what to serve the furtherance of the dictates of Jesus Christ?

online.wsj.com/public/article/SB11459192...

'Pope Benedict XVI is appealing to a new group of admirers: marketers seeking not blessings but pontifical product placements.

Since his election last year, the pope has been spotted wearing Serengeti-branded sunglasses and brown walking shoes donated by Geox. He owns a specially engraved white Apple iPod, and he recently stirred much publicity with a pair of stylish red loafers that may or may not be from Prada.'

Hmmm

Oct 28, 2011 -- 7:22AM, Kwinters wrote:

Oct 25, 2011 -- 5:48PM, Esdraelon wrote:

 

Oct 25, 2011 -- 3:33PM, Esdraelon wrote:

It has been said that the Vatican has accumulated a vast amount of property and other holdings in the United States in excess of $800 Billion, sic, no one knows exactly how much.

'Bishops' of huge 'mega-churches' are showing off their fleet s of Rolls and other exotic automobiles.

All tax free.

All things considered, if the church cannot show that its temporal holdings are not furthering the purpose of the church, should these holdings be taxed?

Oct 25, 2011 -- 5:16PM, Ed.W wrote:

So you want to take away a church's 501(c)3 status once they get enough money to covet?

The mega-churches are obviously exploiting the status. $800 billion in land and property holdings is doing exactly what to serve the furtherance of the dictates of Jesus Christ?

online.wsj.com/public/article/SB11459192...

'Pope Benedict XVI is appealing to a new group of admirers: marketers seeking not blessings but pontifical product placements.

Since his election last year, the pope has been spotted wearing Serengeti-branded sunglasses and brown walking shoes donated by Geox. He owns a specially engraved white Apple iPod, and he recently stirred much publicity with a pair of stylish red loafers that may or may not be from Prada.'

Hmmm

One wonders if dispensations will become  big business again...especially since the pope has called for a 'one world' bank and central authority to......

"The Vatican called on Monday for the establishment of a “global public authority” and a “central world bank” to rule over financial institutions"

"It called for the establishment of “a supranational authority” with worldwide scope and “universal jurisdiction” to guide economic policies and decisions"

These are some of the quotes from the article. Is this the world financial system out of which the mark of the beast will arise?

www.reuters.com/article/2011/10/2&hellip...

The pope has an extremely comprehensive  understanding of Scripture and prophecy regarding the Woman Riding the Beast of Revelation, the religious system affiliated with the ruling government of the end times.

May just be 'birth pangs', but the Vatican is pushing hell for leather towards fulfillment of this prophecy, almost as if they welcome it....

I would think that the pope has the peoples welfare in mind, but he should know better than call upon a one world system to improve that welfare...