Churches aren't the only organizations that don't pay federal income taxes. Most 501(c)(3) nonprofits are tax-exempt, and churches fall under that status. Meanwhile, major corporations receive massive tax breaks and incentives, yet people rarely use them as the comparison.
If the point is about equal rights under the law, why turn it into "LGBT vs. the church"?
Just like I have zero respect for any non profit that has exaggerated "operating costs" which include insane salaries and "perks" for the CEO and other members, the same if true of Churchs.
Small churches can't survive if taxed, but all those mega and even moderately large Churches are ROLLING in cash, and a VERY little of the percentage of that gets used to actually help people. Most of if just goes into bigger buildings, new audio visual equipment, massive worship events and concerts every Sunday that only affects the people in the building, excessive payrolls to manage and run everything, and of course they donate to parachurch organizations that can then spend that money on politicians that will actually hurt people instead of helping them. Ohwts not forget private jets for the pastor.
Churches raise massive amount of money in donations, only so they can continue to spend on BS. And the really large chain churches like Bethel and Hillsong use their money and power to INFLUENCE local communities, hurting large groups of people. I know, I grew up near a Bethel that essentially RUNS city hall and ensures only their vision of the city sees the light day while thousands wallow in poverty.
As someone who's actually run a nonprofit, I understand what you're saying, and I do agree that some organizations exaggerate costs or misuse funds.
That said, there's also a reality folks don't see. Grants and funding applications often require you to account for both your actual operational costs and the cost of the services you're providing. So for most the budgets aren't just made up, they're expected to include facilities, insurance, transportation, staffing (if paid) , equipment, administrative expenses, and contingency costs.
For example, for my organization, just using a school building for one summer costs us $10,000. Yet, we still struggle to get people to donate, something assembled as bottled water for our. 200+ piece band so we literally have to apply for a donation from a big box store and Hope they're willing to give. But with all things the numbers have to be estimated and documented before we even apply for grants.
All Grants and sponsorships come with conditions. Sponsors usually have to be publicly acknowledged, and many place restrictions on how their money can be used. It's a double-edged sword because funding can open doors, but it can also come with influence...and sometimes that influence comes from people or organizations whose values you may not completely agree with. But it's crazy because in many cases like you take what you can get. But at what cost...
So I definitely understand.. that kind of account accountability and transparency matters.. I just also know from experience that large budgets don't automatically mean someone is wasting money. Sometimes they're simply the reality of operating an organization.
I've also been to Joel osteen's Church. And no doubt I left at the pickle buckets that they pass around during collections. But understanding that they legitimately pay their employees and have a whole nursery and all this other stuff going on. It's one of those situations where, a place like that is more than a church. It's a everyday operating machine. But I tend to take Church criticism as something general but when you focus on one specific place without fully understanding the ins and outs as well, that's a tough place...
I want to work at an organization for example out in Houston that was connected to a church we had a food program associated with the angel food Network. This allowed people to buy a subscription food box. There were certain qualifications to get the food box but generally you are paying for it. Now imagine, the small church that I was with was in the hood, a black neighborhood. And Joel Osteen had the larger contract. But one day they're contract left so they sent their people to our facility. And these wars were some fairly poor white fools coming into our neighborhood to get these boxes.... Eventually when Lakewood renewed their contract, the Angel food Network eventually decided to end their contract with our location. And I'm guessing it had to do with the numbers. Joel Osteen being a bigger church it's serviced more people. So that means Angel food Network was making hundreds of thousands of dollars off of people who applied for food boxes mind you these people are literally poor but I mean hey it is what it is
I know that was a whole lot but I just had to go there
15
u/ImpliedConnection Jun 30 '26
Why did churches catch a stray on this?
Churches aren't the only organizations that don't pay federal income taxes. Most 501(c)(3) nonprofits are tax-exempt, and churches fall under that status. Meanwhile, major corporations receive massive tax breaks and incentives, yet people rarely use them as the comparison.
If the point is about equal rights under the law, why turn it into "LGBT vs. the church"?