How to save local governments big money

[GT40FIED]

Originally Posted by JDMFantasy2k

wow interesting thread developing here. I'm not about to dive head first into this, but here's my 2 cents.

Not trying to come off as a religious buff, but steve have you ever truly, given god (or religion) a chance? Like truly, whole-heartedly try and accept it and see what happens? I mean if it truly isn't for you, then surely you've lost nothing. I feel it kinda goes along the lines of "don't knock it till you try it", because religion (and god for that matter) have changed the lives of millions of people for the better. You need to acknowledge god before you can talk t him.

Anyway, my second thought is, even if your "great plan" were to be instituted. What would it accomplish? It's not like every church in america is indulging on society's resources and weakening our economy/government.

Yeah, actually...after my dad died. I was trying hard to search for answers. You know...the age old question of why good men die while bad ones are let alone. I'm sure you can identify better than most with this, Will, seeing as how you were and are in a very similar situation. It's not that I wasn't talking to god, but I got the distinct impression that no one was listening. Needless to say I still don't have my answers. That's not to say I don't believe in anything at all...I just don't claim to be wise enough to be able to quantify it and therefor I won't worship it. This, to me, is where every religion falls short. They claim to have the answers to unanswerable questions. If that helps you sleep at night, that's great. The problem is that a lot of people take those "answers" literally and force their thoughts on other people/government/family pets/school children. Just do a quick google search on Kansas' most hated native son, Fred Phelps, and see what I mean.

My "plan", as it were, is really more a matter of principle than anything I would ever actually intend to do. Put into context, if I don't work I don't expect a paycheck (some people do...fuck them). Churches take in what I'm sure is billions and billions of dollars every year and while they might give back, all I ever see are bigger and "better" churches being built while they get off scott free from the government. Hell...Bush even decided to give them MORE tax free money through "faith-based initiatives". It's just like the took churches in and left everyone else out in the cold. To me, that's just not right.

Like the gospel of St. Thomas says (though most hardcore christians denounce it as gnostic writing to their own gain), god isn't in a "mansion of wood and stone". "Lift a stone and you will find me. Split a piece of wood and I am there". I don't feel the need to congregate to assess my beliefs and I'm not sure anyone else should either. If churches didn't exist, would you stop believing? No one should reap the benefit without paying the man (unless, of course, it applies to everyone else, too).