Persecuted Christians In America!

[Sleipnir]

Christians are persecuted daily in every way in every facet of public life. If anyone is seen wearing a cross they are laughed at and made fun of for their beliefs

Do you know what persecution means?

[kimmy]

The Westboro Baptist Church are suddenly finding themselves feeling a mite persecuted, as thousands of Kansas residents are signing petitions to have WBC declared a hate-group and remove it's tax-exempt status.

Adding insult to injury, the WBC's website was trashed by the hackers known as "Anonymous".

-k

[BC_chick]

If anyone is seen wearing a cross they are laughed at and made fun of for their beliefs but if someone is a Muslim then they are congratulated and patted on the head.

Sometimes I wear a burka when I'm running late because when I get caught speeding the police just smile and say it's ok, go on your merry way. Once, when I was wearing my burka, four people offered to let me get ahead of them in the line to pay at the cashier. Then the cashier patted me on the head and told me it's ok, I don't need to pay.

You're so right, it's a Muslim's world out there.

[Bryan]

Constitutionally the judge can't force someone to go to church, although the alternative sentencing is commendable.

He's not forcing the kid though. He's giving him an alternative. The kid is perfectly free to refuse the church and go to jail instead.

[cybercoma]

He's not forcing the kid though. He's giving him an alternative. The kid is perfectly free to refuse the church and go to jail instead.

Because sending someone to jail for not going to Church is reasonable.

[Shady]

The Westboro Baptist Church are suddenly finding themselves feeling a mite persecuted, as thousands of Kansas residents are signing petitions to have WBC declared a hate-group and remove it's tax-exempt status.

Adding insult to injury, the WBC's website was trashed by the hackers known as "Anonymous".

-k

Suddenly? Try for several years.

Anyways, to refer to them as persecuted Christians is like referring to Al Qaeda as persecuted Muslims. Get a grip.

Edited December 18, 2012 by Shady

[Guest]

Because sending someone to jail for not going to Church is reasonable.

I bet the judge isn't sending him to jail. I bet it's the ACLU that are sending him to jail.

(I say "bet", because I can't remember the article and I don't want to read it again)

I bet the person in question would love to go to church instead of jail.

[Bryan]

Because sending someone to jail for not going to Church is reasonable.

He was facing jail anyway for manslaughter. The judge was giving him an option to avoid it if that's what he chose.

[kimmy]

Suddenly? Try for several years.

Anyways, to refer to them as persecuted Christians is like referring to Al Qaeda as persecuted Muslims. Get a grip.

The WBC are like Al Qaeda? WBC has never hurt anybody.

They're saying the WBC should lose their tax exempt status because (a) they're a hate group or ( because their message is "politicking". But the WBC message is scripturally accurate and is no more hateful than things other churches have said, some of it documented in this very thread. As for "politcking", I'm not aware of any instance of the WBC making statements that would meet the legal definition, unlike plenty of churches that the IRS has refused to investigate.

Bottom line, the WBC are being singled out because they're saying on main street what some of their counterparts only say in the confines of their churches and mosques and synagogues. They're being persecuted because the standard isn't being applied equally to other religious groups.

-k

[msj]

As for "politcking", I'm not aware of any instance of the WBC making statements that would meet the legal definition, unlike plenty of churches that the IRS has refused to investigate.

I understand that the reason churches are getting away with being political is because the rules are for the IRS to conduct the audit on the initiative of a local division office.

However, at some point in the late '80's or early '90's the IRS was reorganized so that these offices no longer exist and, therefore, audits cannot be authorized.

Hopefully this will be corrected soon.

[msj]

Although perhaps I should post this under the atheist persecution thread I think it belongs here as it relates to my post immediately above.

I find the religious privilege in the US quite amazing:

American Atheists is Suing the IRS, Claiming That It Gives Preferential Treatment to Religious Groups

[Bonam]

I find the religious privilege in the US quite amazing:

Appalling, yes, but amazing? No. We in Canada sadly have entrenched religious privilege up the wazoo, as well.

[bush_cheney2004]

Appalling, yes, but amazing? No. We in Canada sadly have entrenched religious privilege up the wazoo, as well.

Indeed...unlike the U.S., specific religious preferences are enshrined in the Constitution Act.

[Mighty AC]

Sad indeed...but it can and will be changed eventually.

[msj]

Appalling, yes, but amazing? No. We in Canada sadly have entrenched religious privilege up the wazoo, as well.

Given that I'm a tax accountant who audits/reviews/compiles financial statements, charity returns and not-for-profit tax returns and prepare personal tax returns for 2 people who claim the clergy residence deduction I am well versed with their entrenchment in Canada.

The difference is that a church that is a charity is treated pretty much the same as, say, the mental health association charity.

The exception being the clergy residence deduction for staff.

In the US, according to the article linked, churches get a little more benefit than this.

For example, in Canada some churches have been threatened with revocation of their charity status due to political purposes.

In the US, nope, not happening.

[Mighty AC]

There are other entrenched religious privileges beyond the tax code. We publicly fund a Catholic school system in some provinces, we refer to God in our national anthem, we have Christian based stat holidays, Christian prayers are still said in some municipal meetings, Bibles are used in courtrooms and for some reason are still placed in hotel rooms, etc.

[msj]

Bibles are used in courtrooms and for some reason are still placed in hotel rooms, etc.

Most of your examples are poor as they are true for the US (except for the Catholic school system subsidy which is a historical quirk we are still living with).

The US also has "in god we trust" on their money, they like to have Christian messages at high school football games (which are being challenged), 10 commandments put up and taken down and put up at various law courts, etc....

The example I quoted above, however, does not belong.

Privately held companies have every right to accept free bibles from whoever they want and put them in their hotels. That has nothing to do with separation of church and state.

[bush_cheney2004]

There are other entrenched religious privileges beyond the tax code. We publicly fund a Catholic school system in some provinces, we refer to God in our national anthem, we have Christian based stat holidays, Christian prayers are still said in some municipal meetings, Bibles are used in courtrooms and for some reason are still placed in hotel rooms, etc.

Yes.....and the Canadian monarch is head of the Anglican Church.

[Bonam]

Most of your examples are poor as they are true for the US

That does not reduce their relevance. Recall that the original point was that Canada also has entrenched religious privilege, not that said privilege is unique, or that it is greater in extent. Therefore, examples of religious privilege that also exist in other nations are entirely relevant.

[msj]

That does not reduce their relevance. Recall that the original point was that Canada also has entrenched religious privilege, not that said privilege is unique, or that it is greater in extent. Therefore, examples of religious privilege that also exist in other nations are entirely relevant.

They are irrelevant to the extent that the privilege is the same.

My post was talking directly to charities in the US having different rules for being religious and non-religious.

In Canada those rules are essentially the same - you either are performing a charitable service or not and the advancement of religion is a charitable service.

In the US it appears that there are additional benefits to being a religious charity as opposed to, say, a secular mental health charity.

That's it. That was my only point.

[Bonam]

In the US it appears that there are additional benefits to being a religious charity as opposed to, say, a secular mental health charity.

That's it. That was my only point.

Ok. Congrats. The aspect of your post that I originally responded to was that you found this "amazing". I don't find it amazing, since all kinds of religious privilege is everywhere, in both the US and Canada.

[msj]

Ok. Congrats. The aspect of your post that I originally responded to was that you found this "amazing". I don't find it amazing, since all kinds of religious privilege is everywhere, in both the US and Canada.

Fair enough.

If you looked at my posting history I think you would find that my "tone" for "amazing" is not what you think it is.

[Bonam]

That may be true. I would take "amazing" to mean that you were amazed, that is, that you found it surprising or astonishing.

Edited December 21, 2012 by Bonam

[Mighty AC]

Privately held companies have every right to accept free bibles from whoever they want and put them in their hotels. That has nothing to do with separation of church and state.

Still an example of religious privilege. I'd also like to add that we have a PM that ends speeches with "God bless Canada". Edited December 22, 2012 by Mighty AC

[Guest]

Still an example of religious privilege. I'd also like to add that we have a PM that ends speeches with "God bless Canada".

As long as he doesn't try and make me say it, no problem.