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Dave W.
Info Junkie
USA
26022 Posts |
 Posted - 08/21/2005 : 14:19:01 [Permalink]
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The problem with what the RR folks are doing is obvious: calling evolution a "tenet" of atheism, and thereby claiming that, since "atheism is a religion," evolution shouldn't be taught in schools. But that's just a political tactic on their part which will ultimately fail if any of them try to sue based on such nonsense (it's been tried before).
Yeah, Ig, that latest link works.
Kaufman is also an idiot. Kaufman insisted that atheism was "the antithesis of religion," and so should have expected prison officials to deny his request that atheist meetings be started as a "new religious group." After all, he probably had knowledge that new activity groups weren't being granted at that time, so it would have been unlikely for his new group to start that way. His ploy was transparent and simply stupid, and the prison called him on it. The lower courts even agreed.
But then the circuit court basically said, "it doesn't matter what Kaufman or the prison officials think of atheism or religion, and Kaufman's intent doesn't matter, either. Here's what should have been addressed, and that's why we're telling the lower court to re-hear this part of this case." And it seems they could only have done so because Kaufman got pissed off enough that his ruse was foiled that he sued, and pursued appeals when he lost.
So now, because of this moron and the chip on his shoulder, and the fact that some people can't separate scientific truth from religious dogma, we've got fundamentalist Christians drooling about the removal of evolution and situational ethics from public schools. Way to go, atheist Kaufman.
One hopes he won't propagate his stupidity genes. |
- Dave W. (Private Msg, EMail)
Evidently, I rock!
Why not question something for a change?
Visit Dave's Psoriasis Info, too. |
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Valiant Dancer
Forum Goalie
USA
4826 Posts |
Posted - 08/22/2005 : 06:56:04 [Permalink]
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quote:
Originally posted by tw101356
quote:
Originally posted by Dude
Well, shouldn't that mean that atheist organizations can obtain tax exempt status?
They can. Any non-profit organization can. Religions may seem to have an advantage because they can avoid property taxes on their real estate, but non-religious non-profits, such as an atheist private school, could do the same. (Many schools do pay fees in lieu of taxes to cover water, sewer, garbage, etc. services, however.)
Not that there aren't some wealthy-televangelist-run religions that are non-profit in name only.
By calling atheism a religion (sort of a paradox there), atheists can now claim their houses as places of worship and avoid property taxes. |
Cthulhu/Asmodeus when you're tired of voting for the lesser of two evils
Brother Cutlass of Reasoned Discussion |
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tw101356
Skeptic Friend
USA
333 Posts |
Posted - 08/22/2005 : 09:50:39 [Permalink]
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quote:
Originally posted by Valiant Dancer
By calling atheism a religion (sort of a paradox there), atheists can now claim their houses as places of worship and avoid property taxes.
Been tried. Back in the 70s most of the population of a town in upstate New York (I believe it was), fed up at a property tax increase, became ordained in the Universal Life Church, and tried to claim everything was church property. Some people had churches, others had monasteries or convents. The courts said "No". Ruled that they had embraced religion for tax avoidance purposes only or some such.
An atheist group can avoid property taxes simply by incorporating as a non-profit organization, raising money, buying property, and applying for tax exemptions as a non-profit.
As explained here. |
- TW
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Valiant Dancer
Forum Goalie
USA
4826 Posts |
Posted - 08/22/2005 : 10:21:55 [Permalink]
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quote:
Originally posted by tw101356
quote:
Originally posted by Valiant Dancer
By calling atheism a religion (sort of a paradox there), atheists can now claim their houses as places of worship and avoid property taxes.
Been tried. Back in the 70s most of the population of a town in upstate New York (I believe it was), fed up at a property tax increase, became ordained in the Universal Life Church, and tried to claim everything was church property. Some people had churches, others had monasteries or convents. The courts said "No". Ruled that they had embraced religion for tax avoidance purposes only or some such.
An atheist group can avoid property taxes simply by incorporating as a non-profit organization, raising money, buying property, and applying for tax exemptions as a non-profit.
As explained here.
Ah, but they didn't have worship services.
Atheists can have worship services and get the benefits. The worship services must be cyclical. Therefore, Thursday Poker Night of the Benevolent Flush of the Church of the Cosmic Wow can claim their property as church property and get the property tax benefit without the bother of raising money to purchase ceremonial land. |
Cthulhu/Asmodeus when you're tired of voting for the lesser of two evils
Brother Cutlass of Reasoned Discussion |
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BigPapaSmurf
SFN Die Hard
3192 Posts |
Posted - 08/22/2005 : 11:01:42 [Permalink]
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| I'll give them atheism as a religion if they all agree on one Christianity. |
"...things I have neither seen nor experienced nor heard tell of from anybody else; things, what is more, that do not in fact exist and could not ever exist at all. So my readers must not believe a word I say." -Lucian on his book True History
"...They accept such things on faith alone, without any evidence. So if a fraudulent and cunning person who knows how to take advantage of a situation comes among them, he can make himself rich in a short time." -Lucian critical of early Christians c.166 AD From his book, De Morte Peregrini |
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