Bill Maher and Romney's Mormon Charity

[_Buffalo]

The paying of tithing to the LDS church is about as charitable as donating money to Wal-Mart.

[_angsty]

You know, I have never seen what is contributed to any discussion by statements like "X is a Y", where X is a person's name, and Y is a mere epithet that means no more than "person I happen to dislike".

What do I care who angsty dislikes? Not a bit. What does the fact that angsty dislikes someone tell us about that person? Nothing interesting.

Sharing my personal distaste for Maher served a rhetorical purpose. I'm sorry if it wasn't clear. It wasn't meant so much to say anything about Maher (it can't, as you have so aptly pointed out) but to emphasize that even I, with my aversion to him and his methods, have to admit that he is making a worthy point. That is to say, I agree with him that donations to a church (particularly one that does not disclose financial information) shouldn't be considered charitable by default, particularly when we have glaring evidence that such donations fund things that are clearly not charitable ("castles").

[_Chap]

You know, I have never seen what is contributed to any discussion by statements like "X is a Y", where X is a person's name, and Y is a mere epithet that means no more than "person I happen to dislike".

What do I care who angsty dislikes? Not a bit. What does the fact that angsty dislikes someone tell us about that person? Nothing interesting.

Sharing my personal distaste for Maher served a rhetorical purpose. I'm sorry if it wasn't clear. It wasn't meant so much to say anything about Maher (it can't, as you have so aptly pointed out) but to emphasize that even I, with my aversion to him and his methods, have to admit that he is making a worthy point. That is to say, I agree with him that donations to a church (particularly one that does not disclose financial information) shouldn't be considered charitable by default, particularly when we have glaring evidence that such donations fund things that are clearly not charitable ("castles").

Thanks for explaining! On this board and on others, I am sometimes puzzled by the way that some posters seem to think that the use of violent or abusive language makes their posts more authentic or honest - at times they evidently think that if they sound tough enough, that can dispense them from the need to make any attempt at rational argument. I've never seen the point. But I suppose it makes people feel good.

[_Polygamy-Porter]

Active members should retain their receipts from all shopping at the Lords Mega Mo'Mall and offer them up during year end tithing settlement as a substitute for cash donations!

[_DrW]

On the latest Real Time episode, Bill Maher set the record straight with regard to Mitt Romney's "charitable contributions" to the Mormon Church. In the closing comments of his May 4 Episode 147, Maher gave it to Romney with both barrels. It was pretty hilarious.

The video clip is up on Huffpost:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/05/05/bill-maher-takes-aim-at-mormonism_n_1483942.html

Looks like it is going to be a rough campaign season for the Mormon Church.

As I noted on the other thread on this same topic:

At least the Maher hates all tax deductions for things he views as not charity and a bad thing.

Mahar should simply lobby to get IRC Sec. 501(c)(3). For whatever reasons our political leaders have long felt giving a deduction and thus using lost revenue to benefit Church's, Universities, Arts, Medical Research an groups supporting medical issues such as the American Heart Association or the American Cancer Society, Benevolent Societies, Pure Charities as well as other organizations like Planned Parenthood, NPR, NY Bike Advocacy groups, AAA and on and on is a positive benefit for our society.

Maher however is seemingly in the minority on this. I wonder if he gives to any such organizations and takes the deduction?

I don't find Mahar particular brilliant. He can be funny. He seems rather narrow minded about most religions and based on what I have seen of him ( and yes I saw his movie) he is not well educated about religion in general.

I find the glee you all have about all the rather shabby treatment of the Church odd. Would you feel the same if such things were said about Jews, Catholics, blacks or some other group. Is distortion and half truths really funny and necessary?

Jews, Catholics and Blacks don't send out 50,000 unpaid youth into the world to push their worldview on others, using tax deductible "charitable contributions" to do so.

[_Jason Bourne]

Jews, Catholics and Blacks don't send out 50,000 unpaid youth into the world to push their worldview on others, using tax deductible "charitable contributions" to do so.

So this in your mind justifies targeting Mormons in a way that you would find distasteful for other groups? Other faiths attempt to make converts. Catholics traditionally have. Not sure what they do now. But many others proselyte.

No rather I think your glee about how the Mormons are being treated in by the likes of Mahar and others is due to your position on and dislike of Mormonism.

I will post an email about this from a very goo Jewish (non practicing) friend of mine later.

And by the way, once again, if you don't like the fact that Church's activities, which include missionary work, can be supported with tax deductible donations, write your congressman. Work to change the law. I don't like planned parenthood receiving tax free support as well as many other groups. But I can find the over all benefit to society that comes from allowing the organizations that receive tax free support because they qualify under IRS 501(c)(3) worth it.

[_Hades]

No rather I think your glee about how the Mormons are being treated in by the likes of Mahar and others is due to your position on and dislike of Mormonism.

My glee in this is in the fact that Mormons are so secretive. I like watching the roaches scurry when the light shines on them.

[_LDS truthseeker]

I saw it - most entertaining. He does make some good points. I don't think that any religion should get charity status for tax purposes.

[_DarkHelmet]

That was funny. "This is the San Diego Temple (picture of temple)...or Superman's Fortress of Solitude."

I do agree that you shouldn't be a charity if you own a castle (or many castles).

[_angsty]

Thanks for explaining! On this board and on others, I am sometimes puzzled by the way that some posters seem to think that the use of violent or abusive language makes their posts more authentic or honest - at times they evidently think that if they sound tough enough, that can dispense them from the need to make any attempt at rational argument. I've never seen the point. But I suppose it makes people feel good.

All good!