I have met several ministers that have lost their faith.  Some like Dan Barker write freethought books others go and get a regular job just move on.  However, some are afraid to leave.  You may lose most of your friends or some of your family members.  There is also a fear that after 5, 10, 15 years of being out of the real world that you may not have marketable skills. 

So… I had this idea of starting an organization that would help clergy leave religion behind.   My working name is Shepherds Intervention Network (SIN).  This foundation would solicit requests from church leaders that want to get out.  Individuals are selected and enrolled in a job skills program and travel around the country telling their story to local groups and university students.  The hope is after a year they would have found new skills to add the ones they already had and can transition to a new job.  During the time of training they would receive some compensation to ease the transition.  At this point it’s just an idea…

What do you think?  Is this a good idea?  Would it work?

All churches in the USA get tax breaks from the government.  Break after break after break.  It is not a surprise that many people have made themselves rich by starting their own church. 

Writing for a penny a word is ridiculous. If a man really wanted to make a million dollars, the best way to do it would be start his own religion. – L. Ron Hubbard the founder of Scientology (as listed in Wikiquote)

I have thought about starting a church many times.  However, I can’t bring myself to do it.  I have this weird idea you should actually provide some product or service when people give you money.

The IRS even has a special 32 page publication that details all of the tax benefits for churches.  The title is tax guide for Churches and Religious Organizations.  The very first paragraph explains why…

Congress has enacted special tax laws applicable to churches, religious organizations, and ministers in recognition of their unique status in American society and of their rights guaranteed by the First Amendment of the Constitution of the United States. Churches and religious organizations are generally exempt from income tax and receive other favorable treatment under the tax law; however, certain income of a church or religious organization may be subject to tax, such as income from an unrelated business.

“…in recognition of their unique status…” what?  It then goes on to say with rights guaranteed by the First Amendment of the Constitution.  Let me think, what does the First Amendment say…

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press, or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

Where does it say, “No church shall pay taxes?”  It only says that the government will stay out of religion and I think that’s great.  Now if only we can get religion to stay out of government.  Sorry, I digress…. back to taxes…

The IRS publication goes on to tell the reader that the term church is not defined by the Internal Revenue Code (IRC).  The Internal Revenue Code is all of the laws made by the federal government about US taxes.  So, if you can create an organization and convince the IRS it is a church or religious organization then you can get the same tax benefits.

501(c)(3)

This is a  rule in the IRC that most charities use to avoid paying taxes…

To be tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, an organization must be organized and operated exclusively for exempt purposes set forth in section 501(c)(3), and none of its earnings may inure to any private shareholder or individual. In addition, it may not be an action organization, i.e., it may not attempt to influence legislation as a substantial part of its activities and it may not participate in any campaign activity for or against political candidates.

It says that this type of organization cannot attempt to influence legislation, participate in campaign activity or provide benefit (inure) to any shareholder or individual.  Good rules, all of them.  The last thing we would want to do is create a special tax exempt  status for a group that tries to influence legislation or gives a bulk of its money to one person or a leader – that would be bad.  Anyone that has ever applied for 501(c)(3) status know that it is a pain and takes some work to comply with all of the rules.  However, if you are a church the IRS says….

Churches that meet the requirements of IRC section 501(c)(3) are automatically considered tax exempt and are not required to apply for and obtain recognition of tax-exempt status from the IRS.

In plain English… If you are a church then you just qualify without having to actually show that you qualify and you don’t even need to bother with messy paperwork, you’re a church.  Furthermore, we will never actually check to see if you are following the rules because as we said in the first paragraph you are special just like it says in the constitution.  This is just one example of many that I will discuss in the following weeks.

My favorite….

“If we came from monkeys, why are there still monkeys?”

When I lived in Arkansas, i heard this argument all of the time.  It is very hard to explain science to a 40 year adult that has only heard about science from the pulpit for the last 25 years.

Skyler Curtis is a student at Rising Sun High School.  He noticed that there were different groups in his school, including Fellowship of Christian Athletes.  He was recently inspired by atheist bus ads and had the idea of starting a group called Fellowship of Atheist Athletes.  He asked a teacher to support his cause and approached the school administration for approval.   It seems that the school administrators were concerned with his desire to use the word atheist.  Maybe they were afraid that this word A-T-H-E-I-S-T would cause problems.  Perhaps they were right.  It was agreed that the group would use the name “NonReligious Solutions” or NRS.

Skyler talked to his dad about  his plans and they designed posters based on the club title and content that was approved by the school administration.  

Oooohhh how mean and scary is that?  Within hours most were defaced or removed, soon they were all gone.  One was found torn and crumpled in the school parking lot.

Things started to get a little too personal for Skyler.   

I have been called an idiot for not believing in God which I think is quite rude due to the fact that it is my opinion.

He has even had threats…

I was told by a fellow peer that he would “Jack me up” and that he was not afraid of me because he was a “Crusader.”

Thankfully, Skyler has a very supportive dad.  He is very concerned about what is going on and thinks that everyone should be free to have their own views.

“I spent 23 years defending this country (US Army) so each of us could decide our own views.”

So everyone can get the latest news, Skyler made a nice facebook page.  Go there, sign up, show your support and get the latest news on this hatred and bigotry.  Some ”loving” christians made an Anti-NRS page on facebook.  They should be ashamed.  Would they make and anti Jewish page or an anti African American page.  I think they should take it down and I ask moderate christians to join me on this request.  The vast majority of christians are good and loving people that want to do good.  Don’t let others use your religion to promote hate.  Stand up and be heard.

Letters to the editor started appearing in the local paper.  

Here is a sample letter…

My favorite bit…

“But I will not have this type of atrocity taking place without having my voice heard.”

This oblivious idiot is not upset that the signs were pulled down; he is upset because they were allowed to be posted.  How dare anyone suggest that we use science and logic!  In reality, he is most likely afraid that if people start talking about religion, his child may discover that it is all made up.  A fairy tale with less foundation in reality than Santa Claus.  If there was any doubt of this man’s perspective, he closes with this gem…

I guarantee you do not want a religious war taking place, as I have God on my side and you’ll lose.

Please no more religious wars.  I think we have had enough of those.   I may never understand why some christians get so upset if we ask questions.  Will your bronze age deity disappear if we look behind the curtain?

———————————————————————————————————————–

There is an update to this story – Is Rising Sun High School Filled With Hate? (part2)

NOTE:  This post is part of an ongoing education series.  This information is for educational purposes only.  This information does not constitute investment advice.  No rational person would make investment decisions based on a blog post.  Please consult with your financial advisor before taking any action.

This is a story about Jack and Diane.  Two American kids that just graduated college.  The get the same exact job and the same exact pay.  They both decide to get a car.  Jack buys a really nice new car and will have to pay $500 per month for the next 5 years.  Diane gets a really nice used car and pays $200 per month for the next 5 years.  Diane takes the extra $300 per month and invests it in the US stock market and makes 10% per year.  After the first five years Jack and Diane always spend the same amount of money on cars and every other possible part of their lives. 

How much extra money will Diane have at retirement (age 65)?

For our calculation we are assuming that Diane Saves $3,600 per year and makes simple interest of 10% per year earned at the end of the year.  Diane will invest a total of $18,000 by the end of the 5th year. Diane starts saving her money at the age of 20.

Any guesses? 
The answer is below the fold.
read more »

I’m famous!  I was interviewed for a brand new podcast.  Everyday Freethought.  This is a very nice podcast created by a good friend of mine.  Please go listen.

After much delay and some drama the movie about Charles Darwin will come to a theatre near you.  The movie comes out on February January 22, 2010.  Only a few days before Darwin Day.  Clip Below….

I think it looks pretty good.  The movie stars Paul Bettany as Charles Darwin and Jennifer Connelly as Emma Darwin.  Make sure you tell your friends.  We need everyone to go.

You have to read this post about Purity Balls at Skepchic.com.  Full grown men are taking their little girls (as young as 11) to a big party where the girl gets to swear that daddy will be the only man in her pants, er life.  I don’t think the average 11 year old would even understand all of the aspects of this commitment.  The founder of purity ball admits that 88% of these little girls go on to have sex before they are married.  The same percent of girls that don’t make the pledge, hmmm….

Here is the interview on the Today show.

Wow – Matt asked some good questions.  So it looks like all we get is the same result but add in a little (or a lot) of guilt and pressure from the family and an increased risk of pregnancy and or STD because you don’t know anything about sex.  Way to go Fundies!

It appears that there is a lawsuit against Dahn Yoga.  The claim is that it’s a cult and has taken money from people.  This group teaches…

…physical exercises “can restore the vibrations of the body and brain to their original, healthy frequencies,” according to a video introduction on its Web site.

As soon as anyone starts to talk about vibrations or energy – you should know there is a problem.  The group claims that brain waves cause illness and if you control your brain wave vibrations you will get better.  They claim it can cure things like diabetes and arthritis.  This is just another form of woo. 

There is more in a story from CBS channel 2 in Chicago.  A former member named Amy Shipley tells her story…

For example, Shipley had to perform 3,000 bows over a period of nine hours and she attended bizarre workshops.

“Everyone around me was screaming really loudly, people were slamming the floor with their fists, people were bawling, someone that I know even collapsed,” Shipley said.
“I was a brainwashed, very confused young woman,” Shipley said.

And it all required “money training” which meant giving the group money.

“I took out student loans, I used all of the money I had in the bank, I took out three credit cards,” Shipley said. “I spent over $47,000.”

I have never in my life had a yoga class but, I’m pretty sure this is not how it works.  I’m sure yoga can help you stretch, relax and get into better shape but there are no brain vibrations for you to control.  Even if this is not a cult, it sounds like they are tricking people out of their money and they should be shut down.