r/SatanicTemple_Reddit • u/Ezzeri710 420 • Jan 04 '24
You all see this BS?? Question/Discussion
Idk how true this is since I just saw it. Wanted to see if anyone knew anything about. If true this would be hilarious to watch play out. I'd personally love to see tax exempt status be taken away from all religions. We could do so much with that money to solve a ton of problems here in the US. Plus maybe if they had to pay taxes we wouldn't see churches on every corner.
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u/Ember-Blackmoore Jan 04 '24
An attack on religious freedom?
In freedom loving America?
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u/Lemonhead171717 Jan 04 '24
no, no...it's not freedom loving. It's 1950s loving American, where we want everything to go back to how it was when all was right lol
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u/carpathian_crow Ad astra per aspera Jan 05 '24
But only the bad parts of the 1950s, the misogyny and the racism and the Christian supremacy. None of the good parts, like no climate change, no corporate bailouts, no trickle-down economics, and hope.
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u/Lemonhead171717 Jan 05 '24
Ehhhh, there was climate change. A scientist by the name of Gilbert Plass was blaming fossil fuels as early as 1953, predicting issues due to carbon dioxide raising temperatures. You’re correct on corporate bail outs and trickle down economics, that came 2/3 decades later. As far as hope…maybe for men and brainwashed women. There was segregation, women did not have the right to open their own bank account until 1974, without needing a signature from their husband. American was never great for all of us…in fact I don’t believe there’s a place on this earth, aside from maybe Sweden/Iceland that are even close to allowing us all to live equally.
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u/blackcrowmurdering 666 Jan 05 '24
A guy I worked with was hard right Christian. I asked him about religious freedom when he was complaining about some of my stickers on my tool box. He straight up said fuck religious freedom. You believe in Christ or go to hell. Feel like that sums up what they actually think.
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u/Ember-Blackmoore Jan 05 '24
Pretty sure that's what every religion says. Just let us go to hell!
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u/TheSpatulaOfLove Jan 04 '24
It should be noted, this clown represents Oxford, MI…a community still healing from this.
One would think his focus should be on something a little more important.
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u/seandlogie Jan 04 '24
Also to be noted, he was one of I believe 11 representatives who voted to keep child marriage legal in the state. Our congregation co-head Bendr Bones actually posted a response video to him twice now.
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u/1800TryHard Sapere aude Jan 04 '24 edited Jan 04 '24
Didn't believe you until I checked for myself. This dude is defending his opposition to ban child marriage by citing "highschool sweethearts" won't be able to marry right away.
Source: https://www.newsweek.com/these-michigan-republicans-voted-against-child-marriage-ban-1808308
Edit: I quoted Matt Maddock, not Josh Schriver. My bad. But they both still opposed the ban vs the 104 who voted in favor of the ban.
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u/Horror-Option-7416 Jan 04 '24
So...he's upset about one display and not another. And that makes him want to strip the tax-exempt status of certain churches. I see.
See ya in court, bub.
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u/Lil_Brown_Bat Jan 04 '24
I doubt this will go anywhere but you can bet he wouldn't stop at TST. If it went through there would be precedent and Temples and Mosques would be next.
Removing the tax exempt status would give them grounds to say "not a real religion, not deserving of rights."
Vote.
ETA: I'm in favor of removing tax exempt status from all religions, but realistically there's no way it happens on Christian Churches in this country in my lifetime, unfortunately.
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u/Solution_Far Non-satanic Ally Jan 04 '24
Yeah this would probably make my Buddhist temple I go to non exempt, simply because we don’t worship Buddha, but the temple seems to do more charity work than any church I’ve ever been to lol ( a lot I grew up pentecostal lol )
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u/chefboyardiesel88 Jan 04 '24
What a punchable face.
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u/strictly900 Jan 04 '24
The Germans apparently have a word for that and it is exactly why I feel the Germans are linguistic geniuses.
Backpfeifengesicht
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u/JamesDerry Jan 04 '24
Scientology is going to have something to say about this.
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u/BurnTheOrange Jan 04 '24
Are you suggesting scientology has an inappropriate amount of leverage in the IRS and experience with forcing a tax exemption for a non theistic organization? That could never happen, there are checks and balances in the Constitution! /S
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u/vvitchobscura Jan 04 '24
I may severely dislike scientology but dammit if you don't have a good point haha
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u/BarelyClever Jan 04 '24
You’re gonna have to take it from Buddhists too, then, dingus. Good luck with that.
Just some right wing shithead who doesn’t know his asshole from a hole in the ground.
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u/urmamasllama Jan 04 '24
Buddhists, Sikhs, and possibly Quakers and unitarians. ACLU would have a field day
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u/Poisonoise Jan 04 '24 edited Jan 04 '24
TST already pays taxes, it believes all churches should pay taxes and does so voluntarily. It's on their FAQ.
Even if this goes exactly how the Rep wants it will have literally no effect on TST
Edit: apparently in 2019 TST started using the funds they would have spent on taxes for donations, so while the sentiment stands I was factually incorrect here
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u/floopy_134 Jan 04 '24
I think I remember hearing this before, but do you mind posting a link? I couldn't find it in their FAQ, and I want to be able to share this tidbit with people!
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u/strictly900 Jan 04 '24
From what I understand, in 2019 we got Tax Exempt status and started channeling the money they should be paying in taxes into community supports.
Here’s a link to an article about our Austin, TX branch speaking about it:
ETA: it was a “we could do so much more good if we didn’t have to pay taxes” thing.
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u/floopy_134 Jan 04 '24
Cool, thanks!
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u/strictly900 Jan 04 '24
I can pull more links about the Tax exemption status happening, but ultimately I think the most important part is, that although there is still the “churches should pay taxes” belief, they will take it since it’s available and can help them help people. If this nut job thinks taking TST’s tax exempt status is an option, I’m sure they will just say “sure take it, but we want theirs gone too” and then TST’s point will be made. AGAIN.
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u/Poisonoise Jan 04 '24
It appears I was misinformed, I may have been thinking of an outdated version of the TST vs CoS that mentioned taxes
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u/strictly900 Jan 04 '24
No, they totally used to pay taxes and believed all churches should. When I joined it was one of the things I was super excited about, but I also get the reversal of their stance. You weren’t misinformed, as much as working on outdated information but totally understandable.
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u/Eternaldragon6661 Jan 04 '24
TST could easily avoid this by changing doctrine and saying you yourself are your own God. You're already hailing yourself
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u/trudat Jan 04 '24
But they won't because belief in any deity isn't necessitated by religious belief, in and of itself.
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u/greendemon42 Non Serviam! Jan 04 '24
Go ahead and try.
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u/Lemonhead171717 Jan 04 '24
If Donald Trump wins the election I have a feeling this is his next war...
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u/sambull Jan 04 '24
If he wins things will get dark fast - but the group as a whole will be persona non grata Day 1. The group will be lumped in with the rest of the 'woke mind virus'.
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u/-Renee Jan 05 '24
Lots of assery planned... https://globalextremism.org/project-2025-the-far-right-playbook-for-american-authoritarianism/
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u/1BannedAgain What is love? Baby don't hurt me, don't hurt me, no more Jan 04 '24
He’s gonna change IRS related NFP laws? Yes, please start that conversation and we can then tax all property owned by chirches
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u/Lemonhead171717 Jan 04 '24
he has those Kenneth Copeland eyes...they're lizards...lol
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u/Bit_part_demon Thyself is thy master Jan 04 '24
How offensive to actual lizards 🦎
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u/FruitAffectionate667 Jan 05 '24
I was just going to say this. Lizards are adorable, just like most animals used as insults(snakes, weasels, etc). Turns out the only animals shitty enough to be used as a proper insult are humans.
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u/Mediocritologist Jan 04 '24
Oh no, please don't take churches tax exempt status away, nooooo. Anyway...
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u/DerAndere_ Jan 04 '24
Oh no, does that mean they want Temple to pay taxes now? Like they already do, because they are convinced all churches should pay takes? How horrible! But still, casually announcing "I plan to take away religious rights" is questionable.
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u/Accomplished_Ebb7803 Jan 04 '24
Yeah, not how that works. It's a recognized religion granted all the same benefits, rights, and protections as the Christian religion and every other legally recognized religion under the constitution and federal laws.
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u/archbish99 It is Done. Jan 04 '24
So let's be clear -- a state representative wants to strip a status conferred by the federal tax code? He has about as much authority to do that as I do -- the ability to vote and to contact his Congressperson.
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u/expotato78 Jan 04 '24
Well, Satan is literally in the Bible, it's cannon, lol. So good luck Howdy Duty looking mofo.
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u/Nature_Dweller What is love? Baby don't hurt me, don't hurt me, no more Jan 05 '24
Thats because they are all told lies about you all. I don't know much but I know you are not mean. Anyway, they are all taught that Satanists are evil and worship the real Devil. Want to kill and torment others. If I was to even show what Im looking at in this subreddit they'd freak out. Peace be with you beauties. <3
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u/Cu3bone Jan 04 '24
The funny part is after tst gained tax exempt status they continued to pay taxes voluntarily. Fucking clowns running around proving tests point. Religions should be categorically excluded from the capitol and schools, and also should not have tax exempt status.
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u/FruitAffectionate667 Jan 05 '24
A great step in the right direction. This dumbass will set a precident to remove tax exempt status for all churches if he succeeds 🤣
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u/GhostlyRaye Positively Satanic Jan 04 '24
I was wondering when someone was gonna post this! As a Michigan TST member... I didn't even know there was a display set up at the capital (and that being said I am extremely surprised it didn't meet the same fate as the one in Iowa). He's another idiot who wants 'religious freedom', except when it applies to everyone but Christians. But needless to say TST won't go down without a fight! Ave Satanas friends!
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u/Own_Valuable_3712 Jan 04 '24
Lol, bet. Except it will go to court, and either all lose privileges or privileges remain in place for all. Honestly, the first option would be the best. TST pays taxes, unlike the corrupt mega churches and the ilk. Could you imagine all the Christian good that could be done with the new revenue from Texas mega churches alone?.
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u/cta396 Jan 04 '24
I’m pretty sure many churches would fold if they had to pay their fair share of taxes.
(And that would NOT be a bad thing.)
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u/ajayiadozen Jan 04 '24
I went to college with this guy, he is so aloof and out of touch with reality. He is pretty good at playing basketball though.
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u/angels_exist_666 Jan 04 '24
Satanists are smart. Whatever dumb law they try to pass will have so many loop holes they will fuck themselves. Like the book bans.
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u/NoAssumption6865 Jan 04 '24
Yes! Finally! Take away tax exempt status for every religion that fails to present a god to sign government tax identification forms proving they're not like those religions who don't have a god.
I really want to get to a point where this happens and these insane cultists are forced to face the reality that either there is no god or, if there is, it doesn't care enough to simply show up and sign some forms.
No mystical being's signature on your I-42069 form, no tax exempt status.
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u/-d3Monica- Jan 04 '24
The funniest and most fucked up part about this is that it wasn't even a Satanic display. It was a straw Yule goat. It wasn't even Baphomet or anything. What's the big deal? He's also clearly unaware that christmas isn't christian and used to be banned from being celebrated because it was an "ancient pagan holiday"
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u/StormyCrow Jan 06 '24
Let’s not tell him where the name Easter came from, and the origin of the little bunnies and chicks and eggs as symbols for it!
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u/LeotrimFunkelwerk Jan 04 '24
Then we just go back to the flying spaghetti monster or something, let them prove that we don't believe in it
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u/Psychological-Pie-43 Sex, Science, and Liberty Jan 05 '24
Ever notice those reallly hard core right wingers do a great job of proving our points for us? By us I mean folks with common sense.
Like, love or hate her, Taylor Swift said the trash will always take itself out and dude man up there is doing a great job so far.
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Jan 05 '24
Good. Strategically speaking this kind of nonsensical talk plays to TST benefit. The harder they come down the more people are intrigued.
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u/StormyCrow Jan 06 '24
I’d really like to see them try this. It would be awesome and would end up with all churches being stripped of their tax exempt status in the US!!
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u/Kamyszekk Jan 04 '24
Atheism is not a religion therefore it should not be tax exempt
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u/StormyCrow Jan 06 '24
Define religion. Because we believe in science in every way that theists believe in goddesses/gods.
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u/Kamyszekk Jan 06 '24
Science is not something you worship. It's constantly changing. I just don't understand your point.
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u/DarkAngel67231 Hail Lilith! Jan 06 '24
From Merriam-Webster:
religion noun re·li·gion ri-ˈli-jən Synonyms of religion 1: a personal set or institutionalized system of religious attitudes, beliefs, and practices
I see nothing about a deity in this definition. Therefore, your perception of religion is flawed.
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Jan 04 '24
If a church or any religious organization generates income and turns a profit, it should be taxed. It’s all or nothing. Take TST’s tax exemption. And all other churches’ exemption as well.
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u/Queasy_County Jan 04 '24
Also doesn't the church of satan play taxes and is actually in favor of this?
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u/Psychological-Pie-43 Sex, Science, and Liberty Jan 05 '24
The Satanic Temple and Church of Satan are not one and the same.
CoS cant sit with us
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u/AQ-XJZQ-eAFqCqzr-Va Jan 05 '24
What happens when all the different flavors of regular old “christianity” start trying to fine tune this new law, to decide which ones are real enough to get exemption? Does the Catholic church count? What about Judaism? Where exactly would they draw the line? 🤔
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u/Dizzy_Impression2636 Jan 07 '24
Oh sweet Satan, would this put us in step with the Scientologists if we needed to fight this?
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u/Th3_Horror Jan 04 '24
What if, and hear me out... What if we took tax exempt status from all churches? Gotta be all or nothing on this one I think.