flexghost.Teachers pay taxes.
Nurses pay taxes.
Bus drivers pay taxes.
You pay taxes.
The Mormon church is a real estate holding company with a Political Action Committees as a hobby.
Tax them.
Rory@flexghost You would think that they would be using that money to help those in need... Instead, I'm sure that money is going to right-wing hacks... with the promise that if republicans win, those in dire need lose... Are we sure that this Mormon place is a church, and not a MAGA town hall?
Karl Oscar Weber@customer228 @flexghost Hi friends.
I’m LDS, and I looked into this fund. The articles/whistleblower are kind of disingenuous. The church has a savings fund that they’ve been building for something like 50 years.
The church spends billions a year for basically charity stuff. Plus the church has a really comprehensive private welfare system: Food, Clothes, Furniture, Rent.
It’s just kinda silly.
Brian Beeler@Kowfm @flexghost "I’m LDS, and I looked into this fund. The articles/whistleblower are kind of disingenuous."
How are they disingenuous? Please be specific. From what I've read they seem credible. The whistleblower has submitted proof tithing funds were transferred to Beneficial Financial Group (a Church owned company) in 2009 to support it during the 2008 housing crash. That is a direct violation of US Federal law.
Do you think Australia's tax fraud lawsuit is also disingenuous?
@brianbeeler @flexghost no it’s not. It’s not a violation of US Federal law.
I have no idea about an Australian tax fraud lawsuit. But I’m not going to defend it. If you mess up with your books, then you ought a pay.
It’s disingenuous to assume that a church isn’t allowed to have a savings fund. Or that performing a bailout during a financial crisis is improper.
@Kowfm @flexghost "no it’s not. It’s not a violation of US Federal law."
Wait, what? Not-for-profit organizations are required by US Federal law, specifically US Federal tax codes, to only use funds donated to them for charitable purposes. Building temples: legal. Propping up a failing, multi-billion corporation: not legal. The laws are all too clear on this. Saying "It’s not a violation of US Federal law" is irrational.
The 60 Minutes Australia report: https://youtu.be/pFddArTfjhQ
Mormon church accused of ripping off taxpayers by millions of dollars | 60 Minutes Australia
@brianbeeler it’s not illegal. Saying I’m irrational is dismissive.
Now you can make an argument that it is immoral, but legality and morality aren’t the same thing.
The bailout of a life insurance company during an economic crisis, one owned by the church, doesn’t appear immoral.
@Kowfm "it’s not illegal"
"The exempt purposes set forth in section 501(c)(3) are charitable, religious, educational... " and a list of what the IRS considers charitable purposes are listed. Propping up a failing, multi-billion dollar corporation isn't on that list.
"Exemption Requirements - 501(c)(3) Organizations"
Also "The Mormon church in Canada: Where did more than $1 billion go? - The Fifth Estate"
https://youtu.be/NgxGYUyvJio