re: Will The Gay Marriage Issue Result In Churches...

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Why do you need these beautiful built and designed structures to worship god?

I have seen even the smallest churches just stocked full of decorations I can't think about affording.

Does god get upset if you gather your flock in a park under a tree?

Seems like a lot of church money could be better spent on the flock as opposed to all the trappings for the various religions. And be sure, all religions are guilty of this. They need to be taxed. There is nothing non-profit about any church in this country.

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So any non profit that has a building is actually a for profit? stupid. Many of what you call decorations were either donated by a specific member, or were paid over time after being purchased as part of the building loan. Admittedly the church has no business spending money in some the ways it does. however in this day and age to bring people through the doors you have to appeal to them. Through technology, modern buildings, etc. Its sad but we are a shallow people, especially the millenials.

The average fulltime pastor gets paid less than $40,000/yr. Fulltime Youth pastor? $24,000. Fulltime Music Pastor? $20,000. The average church has roughly 75 members. With 75 they run food banks, some do housing projects, etc. If you were to tax their income not only would it prevent work from being done in the community, it would literally kill 95% of churches in America.

I get it, you hate the church. However the church deseves its non profit status. only about 5% "make a profit". Which in general is turned around to be pumped back into the community outside of the .01% of churches which are trying to make a profit. Which I do not deny exist. The church is not immune to evil doers(obviously).

Basically, you are making a misguided assumption from a semi educated outide observation.