this depends on if they're a religious organisation that is covered under the Tax code. Not all religions are tax-exempt (the Pastafarians, for example, don't have a 501(c)3 exemption that I am aware of ... yet LMFAO).Their salary is tax free isn't it as well as their housing.
In my first job out of school I worked in a office where the laziest guy there was a religious guy that spent most of his free time going to church "pie socials" and otherwise hanging around the church.this depends on if they're a religious organisation that is covered under the Tax code. Not all religions are tax-exempt (the Pastafarians, for example, don't have a 501(c)3 exemption that I am aware of ... yet LMFAO).
where the laziest guy there was a religious guy that spent most of his free time going to church "pie socials" and otherwise hanging around the church.
He eventually quit his job and somehow got a church of his own
Yeah, I see this a lot. offered imho only, much like the most successful businesspeople, the curch leadership attracts those who like manipulating, dominating and controlling others. The church hierarchy seems to be riddled with it, but is it because it's promoted or because they gravitate towards the positions and manipulate their way into the cush job?was an attention whore. I'm not saying that they weren't believers, they were, but they mainly seemed to be into the attention, free housing, food, people fawning over them, etc.
The second guy I mentioned used to be a dairy farmer, then a real estate guy and then went to a local "Bible School" and he was off and running. Now he has started his own Bible School....serving the Lord.Yeah, I see this a lot. offered imho only, much like the most successful businesspeople, the curch leadership attracts those who like manipulating, dominating and controlling others. The church hierarchy seems to be riddled with it, but is it because it's promoted or because they gravitate towards the positions and manipulate their way into the cush job?
I've seen the occasional study about business and sociopathy or related topics, so I wonder if anyone actually targeted religious leaders?
true sociopaths? probably not.Most successful business people IMO aren't sociopaths (some are).
I have to be honest here: I have a strong bias against religion... not a faith, mind, but religion in general, and very specifically, the codified rules that are usually arbitrarily made up to control and judge others.I think there are more sociopaths in religion (leadership) than in business (and they certainly exist in business).
Those being the major religions - by number - practiced in our culture, they have departments in big mainstream universities and some big schools of their own, and lots and lots of churches, and extensive administrative hierarchies. That doesn't mean non x-tian religions let just anybody off the street minister to their spiritual needs, though Buddhists and Sikhs are less dependent on ordained persons to carry out the rituals. IOW, no preaching. I suppose that makes them less susceptible to accusations of insincerity. But how can you tell?Methodists tend to require a lot of training too, but Methodists and Catholics are just small groups of x-tian's, comparatively speaking. I was speaking more "overall"... and not just of the Abrahamic faith.
I don't see how that relates to whether they can be sincere and intelligent.You can become ordained in the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster, and in a lot of states, this makes you able to marry, give last rites and more. (I didn't look up anywhere else).
again, that really depends on the religion. in the past 30 years, I've seen a major increase in the number of "ministers" and other religious leaders in the Native American belief systems who are teaching the "one way to believe" method (usually a con), which can be shocking to some especially when you're part of a tribe in which the culture is that your religion or beliefs are pretty much your own and no person can tell you which path you must follow (strict individualists in that regard - you can get advice, but no person can tell you what is right or wrong about your beliefs).That doesn't mean non x-tian religions let just anybody off the street minister to their spiritual needs
good question, Jeeves.But how can you tell?
it relates only to the process of ordinationI don't see how that relates to whether they can be sincere and intelligent.
Yes, that varies greatly.it relates only to the process of ordination
not going to argue with that! LOLwe have to face the fact that more weird religious shit happens in the US than anywhere else, because Americans are so open to all manner and weird shit
I have to admit, having worked as a firefighter, that this is so f*cking true. Man, but getting your budget approved and pick up needed safety equipment to do the job is like pulling teeth from a pissed off hungry Tiger's mouth with petroleum jelly all over your hands while he tries to eat your faceand so tax-allergic
You shoulda worked for Exxon.Man, but getting your budget approved and pick up needed safety equipment to do the job is like pulling teeth from a pissed off hungry Tiger's mouth with petroleum jelly all over your hands while he tries to eat your face
We have the crazy religions here in the U.S. while you have the good ones, right? The real ones?Yes, that varies greatly.
And we have to face the fact that more weird religious shit happens in the US than anywhere else, because Americans are so open to all manner and weird shit - and so tax-allergic. I conjecture, without ready-to-hand documentary evidence - that The USA is, and always has been, the most hospitable place for confidence trickery of every kind.
Still, though...
Does it really matter whether the person who "solemnized" your wedding vows went to Harvard? For legal purposes, you need a license anyway; for all other purposes, no holiness of orders can make you keep a promise you don't mean.
Does it matter where and how long your grief counsellor trained, if they have the compassion and understanding to help you through the rough patch?
I'm not a fan of "preaching", but I've heard some quite inspiring sermons (Martin Luther King springs to mind) and some really yawnworthy lectures from professors with degrees up and down the wazoo and some amazing stupid garbage from eminent economists.
Who's "you" and what are "the good and real" religions?We have the crazy religions here in the U.S. while you have to good ones, right? The real ones?
I know what psychiatrists are and what they charge per hour of "helping" and I know that the vast majority of poor people in the world believe in some religion, but have never gotten within new Mercedes-sniffing-distance of a psychiatrist.A psychiatrist is a medical doctor and they are trained to help those though grief or you can just talk to a guy who believes in the supernatural.
I'm aware of that, having done so.You can get married without going to a minister
Yeah, but the churches thought of it long before the government got in on the racket!so going to a minister is just a side racket for the church.
Since I quote you, you means you. My point is there are no "good" religions. They are all crazy.Who's "you" and what are "the good and real" religions?
IOW - whadyoutalkinboutmaan?
I know what psychiatrists are and what they charge per hour of "helping" and I know that the vast majority of poor people in the world believe in some religion, but have never gotten within new Mercedes-sniffing-distance of a psychiatrist.
None of which has anything to do with me or my choices.
I'm aware of that, having done so.
Yeah, but the churches thought of it long before the government got in on the racket!
Apparently, it maybe because the US is outside the '' relatively well-educated parts of London''.We have the crazy religions here in the U.S. while you have the good ones, right? The real ones?
You quoted this:Since I quote you, you means you.
I suggested nothing about good or real religions, nor having any religion at all. Earlier, and several times, I have made that quite clear.while you have the good ones, right? The real ones?
Yes; we understood that to be your strongly-held opinion.My point is there are no "good" religions. They are all crazy.
you know, there is a strong argument that India has the US beat hands down (balls down? *) with regard to weird religious shit happening...And we have to face the fact that more weird religious shit happens in the US than anywhere else
So, I ask again, why the accusatory tone?
offered IMHO only, and speculating about the thread above while just coming from a humour thread that is everything but now that certain people are having a running meltdown...How does that qualify you to judge other people's sincerity or intelligence?
It's a racket in that anyone can lecture as long as they "love Jesus".
So that's 400 religious nuts who won't make any little religious nuts, won't beat any demons out of their children or make them drink poisoned koolaid.warning: I'm feeling quite silly as I've not had a lot of sleep ...
you know, there is a strong argument that India has the US beat hands down
I prefer traffic cones...putting underwear on statues
LMFAOSo that's 400 religious nuts who won't make any little religious nuts,
you're not far enough, bro! You're still American. LOLOkay, you might have a contest going. Might be entertaining --- from a safe distance.