If you take a dim view of "megachurches" you will enjoy this ariticle...

[Fausto]

http://www.ajc.com/news/state-investigates-alleged-fraud-1206762.html

State investigates alleged fraud of church investors

The U.S. Secret Service has confiscated laptop computers from Bishop Eddie Long’s Lithonia megachurch, and the Georgia secretary of state is investigating an investment company and its former chief executive for possible securities violations involving investments sold to Long church members.

Also, 10 members of the New Birth Missionary Baptist Church on Wednesday sued the pastor, the church, three investment companies and others over an alleged scheme the parishioners say bilked them of $1 million.

One of the investment companies, City Capital Corp., and the firm’s former chief executive, Ephren Taylor -- whose financial dealings were endorsed by Long to his members -- are the targets of the state investigation, according to the secretary of state.

This on the heels of Long paying millions in what was effectively hush money to young men who accused him of turning a mentoring relationship into a sexual one. I really hope this concludes with bankruptcy and jail time.

 

[dawp]

I think all those megachurches should loose their tax exempt status. All they are are just money making machines for those that run them. They are a business and should be treated as such.

 

[Fausto]

i think all those megachurches should loose their tax exempt status. All they are are just money making machines for those that run them. They are a business and should be treated as such.

amen brother.

 

[rudder]

I think all those megachurches should loose their tax exempt status. All they are are just money making machines for those that run them. They are a business and should be treated as such.

I remember back in the day when i was in college. Trinity Broadcasting would park their jet in the hangar where I worked. Damn thing had gold plated sinks... it probably rivaled Donald Trump's jet in lavishness. not something you would expect from a tax exempt entity.

Definitely a big racket but people still throw money hand over fist at them.

 

[PokerGuy]

Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. By their fruit you will recognize them.

Scripture provides ample warnings of these charlatans, but people continue to fall for the scams.

 

[DesiPower]

Religious organizations are great for money laundering, things get ugly when people get too greedy :biggrin:

 

[BoomerD]

I think all those churches should loose their tax exempt status. All they are are just money making machines for those that run them. They are a business and should be treated as such.

I fixed that for accuracy...ALL churches are in business to take your money. Some are just MUCH better at it.

 

[Ausm]

I think all those megachurches should loose their tax exempt status. All they are are just money making machines for those that run them. They are a business and should be treated as such.

:thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup:

 

[piasabird]

This has nothing to do with mega churches. This is one of the oldest scams on record. Some church backs some investment pyramid that sounds too good to be true and people invest every dime they have including Church money that was collected. This is one reason that churches should not be allowed to invest or endorse any business or product or even a political party or person running for office.

This is just fraud and a few other Federal crimes.

This is just greed in action.

Mahdoff was doing the same thing, he Made off with everyone's money because investors got too greedy!

 

[Ausm]

This has nothing to do with mega churches. This is one of the oldest scams on record. Some church backs some investment pyramid that sounds too good to be true and people invest every dime they have including Church money that was collected. This is one reason that churches should not be allowed to invest or endorse any business or product or even a political party or person running for office.

This is just fraud and a few other Federal crimes.

This is just greed in action.

Sounds like Religion to me 😉

 

[PokerGuy]

I fixed that for accuracy...ALL churches are in business to take your money. Some are just MUCH better at it.

There's a difference between organizations that take in money and actually put it to use to provide for those who need help, and those who take in money so the "leaders" can buy mansions and drive in a rolls.

The rules should be such that if a church (or any charity) can't show that xyz percent of the money they bring in actually makes it to the end recipient they should no longer get preferred tax treatment. If they can, then they are doing good work and should get preferred treatment.