TOTALLY GEEKED!

And honestly, I was on FB last night and there was a teenager saying some pretty hateful things about Christians. I mean this was actually hate speech. That he hoped Christians were chopped up into little pieces. That he hoped they were set on fire. It was pretty disgusting. And he did it all in the name of furthering gay rights. Yeah, I really respect THAT.

Nobody Just Nobody wrote:

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And honestly, I was on FB last night and there was a teenager saying some pretty hateful things about Christians. I mean this was actually hate speech. That he hoped Christians were chopped up into little pieces. That he hoped they were set on fire. It was pretty disgusting. And he did it all in the name of furthering gay rights. Yeah, I really respect THAT.

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At its core, this isn't nearly as much about gay rights--as it is about stamping out freedom of religion, or, rather, anyone with a dissenting opinion.   

huskerbb wrote:

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Nobody Just Nobody wrote:

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And honestly, I was on FB last night and there was a teenager saying some pretty hateful things about Christians. I mean this was actually hate speech. That he hoped Christians were chopped up into little pieces. That he hoped they were set on fire. It was pretty disgusting. And he did it all in the name of furthering gay rights. Yeah, I really respect THAT.

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At its core, this isn't nearly as much about gay rights--as it is about stamping out freedom of religion, or, rather, anyone with a dissenting opinion.   

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 Totally disagree. As long as marriage is a major benefit, this had to be done...

I don't think churches should have tax exempt status in the first place. I've yet to for find a reason they do...

Our largest help center in Nashville is the Nashville Rescue Mission. THOUSANDS are helped every year. They have rules about attending church services, mandated bible studies, etc...they accept no money from the government. Its run totally by donation. Churches should do the same...

Ohfour wrote:

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I don't think churches should have tax exempt status in the first place. I've yet to for find a reason they do...

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 To keep them separate. 

If not, then you would have to pay a fee to attend your church and receive whatever it is offered by your church. 

 

They accept government money. If you accept their money, then you abide by their rules. Stop taking money. Easy...

I know what to do_sometimes wrote:

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Blankie wrote:

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I'm fine with it. In fact, I'm happy about it.

Now my gay couple friends can live in any state and won't have the legal hassles they had before.

Two gays marrying does not diminish my marriage.

If it diminishes anyone else's, I'd say you don't have a very strong marriage.

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 had they gone to a lawyer and crafted a good will/agreement, legal stuff would not be an issue.

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 Untrue. There are lots of benefits a lawyer cannot override...

huskerbb wrote:

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Ohfour wrote:

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huskerbb wrote:

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Ohfour wrote:

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I don't think churches should have tax exempt status in the first place. I've yet to for find a reason they do...

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They are a charitable organization.  They run soup kitchens, AA meetings, food pantries, hospitals, orphanages, counseling centers, and many other charitable things.

 

If you want to tax them--then you need to tax the JDF, all cancer charities, the Salvation Army, and every other charitable organization.   

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 They should be taxed if they accept government money. 

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???  So every charitable organization that accepts government money should be taxed???? 

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 Yep!

Ohfour wrote:

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huskerbb wrote:

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Ohfour wrote:

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huskerbb wrote:

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Ohfour wrote:

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I don't think churches should have tax exempt status in the first place. I've yet to for find a reason they do...

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They are a charitable organization.  They run soup kitchens, AA meetings, food pantries, hospitals, orphanages, counseling centers, and many other charitable things.

 

If you want to tax them--then you need to tax the JDF, all cancer charities, the Salvation Army, and every other charitable organization.   

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 They should be taxed if they accept government money. 

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???  So every charitable organization that accepts government money should be taxed???? 

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 Yep!

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So you are then an Obama lover who likes big government, I see.   

Ohfour wrote:

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They accept government money. If you accept their money, then you abide by their rules. Stop taking money. Easy...

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 This is another thing that will end Christianity. 

huskerbb wrote:

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Ohfour wrote:

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huskerbb wrote:

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Ohfour wrote:

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huskerbb wrote:

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Ohfour wrote:

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I don't think churches should have tax exempt status in the first place. I've yet to for find a reason they do...

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They are a charitable organization.  They run soup kitchens, AA meetings, food pantries, hospitals, orphanages, counseling centers, and many other charitable things.

 

If you want to tax them--then you need to tax the JDF, all cancer charities, the Salvation Army, and every other charitable organization.   

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 They should be taxed if they accept government money. 

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???  So every charitable organization that accepts government money should be taxed???? 

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 Yep!

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So you are then an Obama lover who likes big government, I see.   

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 Not at all, but when you have an entity giving you money, you are slave to the lender. I gave an example of a huge organization that refuses tax money so they can run their business without interference. I give thousands to them every year. Its the epitome of freedom from big government...

Everyone, regardless of religious or sexual orientation, when wanting to be "married" should have to have a civil union for their state gov't, and if religious, Marriage in their church. That will put this debate to rest.

Ohfour wrote:

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huskerbb wrote:

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Ohfour wrote:

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huskerbb wrote:

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Ohfour wrote:

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huskerbb wrote:

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Ohfour wrote:

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I don't think churches should have tax exempt status in the first place. I've yet to for find a reason they do...

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They are a charitable organization.  They run soup kitchens, AA meetings, food pantries, hospitals, orphanages, counseling centers, and many other charitable things.

 

If you want to tax them--then you need to tax the JDF, all cancer charities, the Salvation Army, and every other charitable organization.   

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 They should be taxed if they accept government money. 

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???  So every charitable organization that accepts government money should be taxed???? 

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 Yep!

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So you are then an Obama lover who likes big government, I see.   

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 Not at all, but when you have an entity giving you money, you are slave to the lender. I gave an example of a huge organization that refuses tax money so they can run their business without interference. I give thousands to them every year. Its the epitome of freedom from big government...

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No. Big government is taxation.  You seem to favor that.   

And hospitals don't discriminate...

huskerbb wrote:

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Ohfour wrote:

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huskerbb wrote:

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Ohfour wrote:

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huskerbb wrote:

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Ohfour wrote:

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huskerbb wrote:

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Ohfour wrote:

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I don't think churches should have tax exempt status in the first place. I've yet to for find a reason they do...

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They are a charitable organization.  They run soup kitchens, AA meetings, food pantries, hospitals, orphanages, counseling centers, and many other charitable things.

 

If you want to tax them--then you need to tax the JDF, all cancer charities, the Salvation Army, and every other charitable organization.   

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 They should be taxed if they accept government money. 

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???  So every charitable organization that accepts government money should be taxed???? 

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 Yep!

---

So you are then an Obama lover who likes big government, I see.   

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 Not at all, but when you have an entity giving you money, you are slave to the lender. I gave an example of a huge organization that refuses tax money so they can run their business without interference. I give thousands to them every year. Its the epitome of freedom from big government...

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No. Big government is taxation.  You seem to favor that.   

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 You're a special kind of stupid aren't you?  A church should be taxed just like everyone else. To give them exemption is stupid. Why should churches not be taxed? And if they want the exemption, they they have to play by the rules, just like everyone else...

Ohfour wrote:

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huskerbb wrote:

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Ohfour wrote:

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huskerbb wrote:

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Ohfour wrote:

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huskerbb wrote:

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Ohfour wrote:

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huskerbb wrote:

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Ohfour wrote:

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I don't think churches should have tax exempt status in the first place. I've yet to for find a reason they do...

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They are a charitable organization.  They run soup kitchens, AA meetings, food pantries, hospitals, orphanages, counseling centers, and many other charitable things.

 

If you want to tax them--then you need to tax the JDF, all cancer charities, the Salvation Army, and every other charitable organization.   

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 They should be taxed if they accept government money. 

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???  So every charitable organization that accepts government money should be taxed???? 

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 Yep!

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So you are then an Obama lover who likes big government, I see.   

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 Not at all, but when you have an entity giving you money, you are slave to the lender. I gave an example of a huge organization that refuses tax money so they can run their business without interference. I give thousands to them every year. Its the epitome of freedom from big government...

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No. Big government is taxation.  You seem to favor that.   

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 You're a special kind of stupid aren't you?  A church should be taxed just like everyone else. To give them exemption is stupid. Why should churches not be taxed? And if they want the exemption, they they have to play by the rules, just like everyone else...

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You are the stupid one.  You are against freedom of religion--which shocks me.

Churches should not be taxes because we don't tax ANY charitable organizations--and the fact that the new "rules" are against the church is not the fault of the church.  Forcing them to forego their beliefs to adjust to new rules specifically designed to stamp out freedom of religion shows exactly where this is going. 

lilyofcourse wrote:

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What church takes government money? I don't know of one.

There is a difference between a church and a charity.

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 Churches are tax exempt. In order to keep that status, they have to bend to government rules. Do want the rules, don't accept the tax exempt status. From sales tax, to property tax, to building tax. 

huskerbb wrote:

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Ohfour wrote:

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huskerbb wrote:

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Ohfour wrote:

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huskerbb wrote:

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Ohfour wrote:

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huskerbb wrote:

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Ohfour wrote:

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huskerbb wrote:

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Ohfour wrote:

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I don't think churches should have tax exempt status in the first place. I've yet to for find a reason they do...

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They are a charitable organization.  They run soup kitchens, AA meetings, food pantries, hospitals, orphanages, counseling centers, and many other charitable things.

 

If you want to tax them--then you need to tax the JDF, all cancer charities, the Salvation Army, and every other charitable organization.   

---

 They should be taxed if they accept government money. 

---

???  So every charitable organization that accepts government money should be taxed???? 

---

 Yep!

---

So you are then an Obama lover who likes big government, I see.   

---

 Not at all, but when you have an entity giving you money, you are slave to the lender. I gave an example of a huge organization that refuses tax money so they can run their business without interference. I give thousands to them every year. Its the epitome of freedom from big government...

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No. Big government is taxation.  You seem to favor that.   

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 You're a special kind of stupid aren't you?  A church should be taxed just like everyone else. To give them exemption is stupid. Why should churches not be taxed? And if they want the exemption, they they have to play by the rules, just like everyone else...

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You are the stupid one.  You are against freedom of religion--which shocks me.

Churches should not be taxes because we don't tax ANY charitable organizations--and the fact that the new "rules" are against the church is not the fault of the church.  Forcing them to forego their beliefs to adjust to new rules specifically designed to stamp out freedom of religion shows exactly where this is going. 

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 As a Christian, I've always (well since I have become a Conservative) been against churches accepting government money. you take the money, you live by their rules. The very reason I send thousands of dollars to the Nashville Rescue Mission. They don't have to bend to money source...

Ohfour wrote:

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huskerbb wrote:

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Ohfour wrote:

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lilyofcourse wrote:

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What church takes government money? I don't know of one.

There is a difference between a church and a charity.

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 Churches are tax exempt. In order to keep that status, they have to bend to government rules. Do want the rules, don't accept the tax exempt status. From sales tax, to property tax, to building tax. 

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And that is a direct attack on freedom of religion--which is what all this gay business was originally about in the first place.   

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 Where does the constitution say that churches are tax exempt? They should be taxed like any other establishment...

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 No, they are not taxed because taxation by the government would render most small churches unable to survive and function.  That would be an infringement on them. 

 

And there are many other tax exempt organizations - take it away from the churches, most of whom use part of their money for charitable purposes, and you need to take it away from ALL.

I don't have a problem with that...just like the Mission we support...

I know what to do_sometimes wrote:

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Nobody Just Nobody wrote:

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I know what to do_sometimes wrote:

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Everyone, regardless of religious or sexual orientation, when wanting to be "married" should have to have a civil union for their state gov't, and if religious, Marriage in their church. That will put this debate to rest.

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 I have both.  I'm married.

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 Well don't you feel discriminated against?  I say that tongue and cheek.

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 Every day!  We wanted to get legally married but didn't have time to pull off a big wedding.  Especially since I was heading into knee surgery.  So we went to the courthouse, said our I do's, and had fun.  Nine months later we had a religious ceremony.  I see no problem with it. 

I have kept my mouth shut on this issue for a long time. Most who know me pretty much know how I feel. But I don't feel it necessary to scream it to the world. I do have to say that this decision has really saddened me. I feel like it is one more step to destroying the sanctity of marriage. I'm sure the gay rights people are going to hate me for that statement. I don't really care. But I also don't blame the destruction of marriage on the homosexual community. God sent us wisdom through the Bible. He said marriage should be between one man and one woman. He says a lot of things to us in the Bible and sometimes we think we know so much better or we don't like what He has to say. But in truth God knew what it would take us millions of years to figure out. That kids do better, flourish more, in a traditional household. Statistics all over say this. Every study says that kids need a mother AND a father. Because both sexes are so important in a child's life. And raising a child takes so much time and effort. They don't just come out with instructions and one day walk off on their own as responsible adults. They are exhausting. It is tough being a parent. But I guess that's probably why it's the best job in the world.

A century ago we, as a society, had different morals and values. Marriage was looked upon differently. People took marriage so much more seriously. And I don't believe that it's only about it being easier to divorce now. People now marry way too soon. I think our whole culture on marriage has totally changed. And that had nothing to do with homosexuality and everything to do with heterosexuality. I don't think we need to go back to the time when women had NO choices. When women were forced to live in bad marriages and treated like property. But I think that somewhere in the process of demanding equality we have lost a lot too. Because whenever you are so set on getting what you don't have you never focus on what you do have or the consequences of actually getting what you have. For example, we want a brand new car so badly and get so caught up in getting what we want we forget that the new car will come with higher insurance rates. As a woman I like the fact that I am able to be completely independent. But I also miss those times where women didn't HAVE to be totally independent.

We even look at weddings differently these days. They used to be a time for tradition and ceremony. A time to celebrate a milestone. Now we have turned them into parties to get our houses funded, we tie our infants to our wedding trains to walk down the aisle, and we make sure we get the gaudiest dresses we can find. And we think, "If it ends no problem." In the past if your first wedding ended for some ungodly reason and you remarried you did it quietly in the backyard in a light blue or peach dress and among a few friends. You didn't make an itemized list of all the things you had gotten from the first wedding and no longer needed for the second wedding.

And truly, for some, why get married at all? It is no longer an issue for society to have six kids out of wedlock. Heck, you can even have them all by different men. And if you're famous and you do it we'll not only accept you but CELEBRATE you by giving you a reality tv show of your very own. So what if you're only 14. We'll make you a tv show too. We'll show all of society how accepting we are of everything.

And therein lies the problem. We have become accepting of EVERYTHING. You want to have multiple wives? Sure. No problem. You want to sleep with a married man? Sure. No problem. Any lifestyle, any behavior, we accept. It's none of our business we say. Let everyone be happy. Let everyone do everything. And then we stand in shock when someone does something we don't like. It's funny that we get mad at homosexuals for destroying the sanctity of marriage when we have been destroying it ourselves for years.

So with that being said I say I am sad about this decision. Yes, it saddens me. It saddens me for our future. It also saddens me whenever there is divorce or someone getting pregnant with the intention of being a single parent. I feel sad for kids who are growing up in a world where everything goes and there is no consistency. But no, I don't blame the homosexual community. I blame society that has been in decline for a long time now.

I agree with what you have said, NJN.