Kenr, with all due respect you are the one that believes in separation of church and state, so you will have to believe that my simple answer to your query about churches not paying taxes is valid. Churchgoers' tithes and offerings are tax exempt as they should be...the same as other charitable contributions. You can't not tax those contributions, then turn around and tax the corporate church on those same contributions they receive. That seems to be a form of double jeopardy. If the government receives money from the church, then the church is supporting the government. Where's your separation of church and state now?Kenr6583 wrote: ↑February 8, 2020, 7:00 amThen please explain to me why churches don't pay taxes and evangelist preachers fly around in privately owned jets and ride around in limousines and live in mansions? Is that a liberal thing?semperfiguy wrote: ↑February 7, 2020, 9:40 am
There is no such thing as the separation of church and state. It's a liberal talking point, a twisting of the words and a misinterpretation of the original intent of the constitution.
For the second part of your question, there are estimated to be 167,000,000 Christian adults in America and multiple thousands of evangelists and preachers. My guess is you would be hard pressed to name even a handful of those that are living the lifestyle of the rich and famous as you have noted above. These people do exist and they are wolves in sheep's clothing as should be expected and are found in any branch of religion. I think you will agree that you can't paint all of us with the same brush for the sake of your argument that all of us Christians are hypocrites. Rather than concern yourself with the misdeeds of others, I would strongly encourage you to focus on the condition of your own soul and what you are going to do with Jesus. There will come a day when you will stand before Jesus and give an account for every idle word that has ever proceeded from your lips, even your posts on this forum. Jesus is knocking on the door of your heart and is ready to forgive you of your transgressions against Him and extend to you the free gift of eternal life, but you must turn from your sin and change what you believe about God. Otherwise, the wrath of God abides on you even now, but the Good News is "there is now no condemnation to those who have submitted their lives to the Lordship of Jesus the Christ". I am praying for you my friend! Thanks for your questions.