reclegend22;1486075 wrote:Having grown up in a Pentecostal church, I can assure you that the some sects of the Christian faith do not teach its followers to think of gay individuals as less than normal human beings. Rather, it teaches its followers that the act of homosexuality itself does not follow the way of the scripture.

You don't believe that to be the case. That's fine. You are entitled to that opinion. As are people who believe the opposite of you.

I Wear Pants;1486077 wrote:FTFY

gut;1486032 wrote:The tax-exempt status is somewhat of a non-starter for me. For the most part, a charity is not going to incur tax liability, anyway, assuming they spend all their revenues to provide goods and services (no different than a business that operates at a loss or fails to generate a profit). I imagine they do carry some reserves, and there could be a nominal "profit" that might be taxable in a given year...but small potatoes.

Manhattan Buckeye;1486123 wrote:I agree generally, but I've heard arguments from non-church types that all local funding issues would go away if they weren't tax-exempt and had to pay property taxes. I disagree with that, it would be hard enough to value a church property and it isn't as if most churches are rolling in cash.

reclegend22;1486075 wrote:Having grown up in a Pentecostal church,i.

reclegend22;1485817 wrote:Based on what is written biblically, then this is unquestionably true. And, having been brought up in an evangelical household -- though not a regular church attendee anymore -- I agree.

Manhattan Buckeye;1486123 wrote:I agree generally, but I've heard arguments from non-church types that all local funding issues would go away if they weren't tax-exempt and had to pay property taxes. I disagree with that, it would be hard enough to value a church property and it isn't as if most churches are rolling in cash.

Raw Dawgin' it;1486170 wrote:Quotes where it says no gay sex please. Also - there was a talking donkey in the bible, so not sure how credible it is.

wkfan;1486171 wrote:I can also tell you that, if this were to happen, that most of the charitable work that most legitimate churches do in their communities would dry up.

In the Church that I attend, appx $250,000 per year goes to mission (read: charitable) work. The rest goes to keep the lights on, maintain the building, etc. This money would leave the local community, food back, work with homeless, disaster relief aid, etc and go straight to our esteemed government...exactly where we do not want it to go.

Me?;1486183 wrote:Uhh...no. Can't believe this is a serious question. And I'm sad to know there are people who would probably say yes. I would love to hear an argument (even though I didn't read the entire thread).

I'm not religious, at all. I have gay friends, and they're fine. I really have no problem with gay marriage. However, I have to say, gay people are stupid. I think many generations down the road, people will look back and think this discussion is stupid not because they've accepted gays, but because they'll finally realize how stupid being gay is. The bottom line is, we're just animals. The species survives by reproducing first and foremost. Being gay isn't "wrong", it's just dumb.

Me?;1486183 wrote:Uhh...no. Can't believe this is a serious question. And I'm sad to know there are people who would probably say yes. I would love to hear an argument (even though I didn't read the entire thread).

I'm not religious, at all. I have gay friends, and they're fine. I really have no problem with gay marriage. However, I have to say, gay people are stupid. I think many generations down the road, people will look back and think this discussion is stupid not because they've accepted gays, but because they'll finally realize how stupid being gay is. The bottom line is, we're just animals. The species survives by reproducing first and foremost. Being gay isn't "wrong", it's just dumb.

Tiernan;1486185 wrote:Brings up an interseting question...are homo sapiens the only animals that practice gay sex? I wonder if any studies on this have ever been done? Never saw any pics of monkeys giving each other a hummer but I'm thinking it might be possible I guess.

Me?;1486183 wrote:Uhh...no. Can't believe this is a serious question. And I'm sad to know there are people who would probably say yes. I would love to hear an argument (even though I didn't read the entire thread).

I'm not religious, at all. I have gay friends, and they're fine. I really have no problem with gay marriage. However, I have to say, gay people are stupid. I think many generations down the road, people will look back and think this discussion is stupid not because they've accepted gays, but because they'll finally realize how stupid being gay is. The bottom line is, we're just animals. The species survives by reproducing first and foremost. Being gay isn't "wrong", it's just dumb.

I Wear Pants;1486173 wrote:Which is great except that a lot of what some (not all I'm sure) churches consider charitable work consists of evangelizing and supporting causes that don't help people. (Salvation Army is a culprit of this).

dlazz;1486298 wrote:I voted yes in the poll just to spite everyone.

Hope this helps.

Heretic;1486300 wrote:You are the THREE PERCENT.

Raw Dawgin' it;1486170 wrote:Quotes where it says no gay sex please. Also - there was a talking donkey in the bible, so not sure how credible it is.

steubbigred;1486520 wrote:You should have made this a public poll.