How long would religions propagate if followers stopped doing one thing?

Quote: SOOPOO

I was stunned a decade or so ago when a local temple was trying to fire a rabbi, but contractually would still have to pay out the remainder of his salary. The salary was over $100k a year! I had of course heard of the mega church pastors making 7 figures, but thought priests/rabbis/pastors were lowly compensated. I’m not saying they don’t deserve it, but it was surprising to me.

Sorry, I didn't see your post until now.

It makes me think a vow of poverty (priest, nun, etc.) is more important than I previously thought.

It also makes me think of Jerry Lewis telethons on TV for Saint Jude Hospital children.

Then I recall Robert Tilton hitting the airwaves, similarly on TV.

Then Joel Osteen's wealth.

Then Tim Cook of Apple voluntarily lowering his annual compensation from $100M and the board agreeing (Gee, thanks).

And lastly, the outrageous salary of Jamie Dimon.


I'm disgusted at the disparity of the lowest employee's salary relative to the highest employee's salary.

Quote: missedhervee

They should not be tax exempt, that is stupid and unfair to we atheists.

I tend to agree about being unfair.

It could be because of the Declaration of Independence wording.

A well-spoken white, crooked priest in the USA could make a lot of money fleecing the flock.

I've not been to chuch in decades, but when I went the ushers passed around a wicker collection basket two or three times per service, and people put CASH money in it.

Presumably the money was given to the officiating priest after the flock left the church; without any checks or balances a bent man of god could siphon off a LOT of cash to be used for child porn, gambling, booze, crack...whatever.

Let's not forget businesses that pretend to be a religion just for the massive tax breaks
$cientology

The larger contributions can be sent in through pre-printed envelopes once per month.

They are then sent to a central location for accounting purposes, if there is one, like a diocese.

The petty cash of bills is likely on an honor system, usually performed by a local accountant.

Each town has elders that distribute money to the needy.

It's mostly done without media attention.

Even normal church members aren't aware of it.

An example is if a family is driving through your town and gets stranded.

They eventually ask a person for help and word gets around to the ones that have the authority to spend the cash.

Quote: SOOPOO

I was stunned a decade or so ago when a local temple was trying to fire a rabbi, but contractually would still have to pay out the remainder of his salary. The salary was over $100k a year! I had of course heard of the mega church pastors making 7 figures, but thought priests/rabbis/pastors were lowly compensated. I’m not saying they don’t deserve it, but it was surprising to me.

I would agree a decade or so ago $100k was a very good salary, today I would not say that.

Quote: DRich

I would agree a decade or so ago $100k was a very good salary, today I would not say that.

It may not be good for you, but you are obviously out of touch. Only 18% of Americans make 6 figures. MOST Americans would be ecstatic to make $100k.

Yeah, buying power is different than gross income.

So it's possible a person can make more and be able to buy less.

It can work like an illusion.

And the purpose of that illusion is to increase the labor supply for collateral of public debt ($32T?).



Religious contributions might be good for an atheist because helping the needy doesn't come out of the US Treasury (increase debt).

So it could help offset the disadvantage for an atheist as it pertains to religious tax deductions.

Since the transition to the Socialism system and away from the Religion system of helping the needy, we could see more tent camps and food banks.

I don't recall seeing so many folks in desperate living conditions.

Quote: SOOPOO

It may not be good for you, but you are obviously out of touch. Only 18% of Americans make 6 figures. MOST Americans would be ecstatic to make $100k.

Yes, my experience may be different but I guess I am comparing to people of a similar age to me (old). I am also probably biased as most of my friends are "professionals" who work in a corporate world. Also, as I have said before, many service workers in Las Vegas make large money because of tips. My daughter who is a food server at a breakfast/lunch restaurant in Las Vegas that is a locals restaurant and not a tourist place makes money that shocks me. I try to convince her to put her business degree to use but she would probably take a 50% pay cut if she did.