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  1. #1
    Thailand Expat tomcat's Avatar
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    Jesus Inc. Gets Gov't Support Because God Needs Cash

    As Millions Suffer From Unemployment, The Catholic Church Gets $1.4 Billion In Relief Funds

    by Sarah Midkiff
    July 10, 2020, 11:37 PM

    "I think the president is looking for support."

    Analysis: Catholic Church wins $1.4B in virus aid
    Associated Press Videos




    The U.S. Roman Catholic Church successfully lobbied government officials to make an exception from federal rules to include the church in the Paycheck Protection Program, despite not meeting specific requirements. Because of this exemption, at least $1.4 billion in taxpayer-backed coronavirus aid has been awarded to the church. And, there is reason to believe that the total payout may have exceeded $3.5 billion, making the global religious institution one of the biggest recipients in the U.S. government’s pandemic relief efforts.

    According to an analysis of federal data conducted by the Associated Press, millions of dollars are “going to dioceses that have paid huge settlements or sought bankruptcy protection because of clergy sexual abuse cover-ups.” Data shows that the majority of the church’s money was approved during the loan program’s first two weeks. However, in that same time, many local businesses were unable to receive loans from the initial $349 billion funding to the program because it was first-come, first-served. In total, nearly 500 loans exceeding $1 million each were approved for Catholic entities. At least eight reached the maximum payout range of $5-10 million. Among the listed recipients are the offices of bishops, major churches, headquarters of leading religious orders, schools, and chapters of catholic charities.

    Faith-based organizations that promote religious beliefs aren’t usually eligible for money from the U.S. Small Business Administration, reports the Boston Globe. When the coronavirus hit and millions became unemployed, Congress made an exception to let faith groups and other nonprofits apply for the Paycheck Protection Program under the same parameters as other businesses. The PPP’s 500-employee cap qualification for applicants would have otherwise meant that many Catholic dioceses would have been ineligible; however, religious groups reportedly lobbied the Trump administration for an exception.

    The Archdiocese of New York, for example, received 15 loans totaling at least $28 million that just goes toward its top executive offices. Forty dioceses that have spent hundreds of millions of dollars over the past few years paying settlements to those coming forward about their experiences of sexual abuse in the church. The AP’s review found that these dioceses were collectively approved for about $200 million, though the total could be higher because the government’s data – released after multiple news outlets sued Congress – didn’t name recipients of loans under $150,000.

    The exact amounts are difficult to quantify because the government released only ranges of loan amounts. The Diocesan Fiscal Management Conference reported that about 9,000 Catholic entities received loans. That is nearly three times the number of entities AP could identify, reports the Boston Globe. AP’s analysis showed that 407,900 jobs within the Catholic church and its affiliated organizations were retained with money awarded through the loan program.

    “The government grants special dispensation, and that creates a king of structural favoritism,” Micah Schwartzman, a University of Virginia law professor who studied the Paycheck Protection Program told the AP. “And that favoritism was worth billions of dollars.” The PPP was open to all religious groups, and many applied, including evangelical advisers to President Donald Trump and many big-name churches.
    At the same time, the U.S. Department of Labor reported unemployment claims have surpassed 44 million since the start of the coronavirus shutdowns. A study conducted by a Columbia University professor estimated that homelessness in the United States could grow as much as 45% in the next year as a result of the coronavirus and its crippling effect on the economy.

    Upon the news breaking, some publicly criticized the payouts claiming that scores of dioceses faced self-inflicted financial pressure as a result of hiding rampant sexual misconduct.

    It is difficult to ascertain the total wealth of the Catholic church, but reported estimates and investigations estimate that just within the United States, the entity is valued at tens of billions.

    https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/mill...163711191.html
    Majestically enthroned amid the vulgar herd

  2. #2
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    Yeh, same here in Oz- different mechanism, that's all. Priests have been, quite legally, claiming a generous (methinks) allowance during the pandemic, offered to those who's incomes have been impacted. Thus, the Church doesn't have to pay them. Then the Catholic Church turned around and asked it's Priesthood to give a chunk of the money thus received to them! I realise the Priesthood is not the least concerned by monetary considerations (snigga)- rather Godly, but there was quite the outcry.


    Like George Carlin said about God- He's all powerful, but he can't handle money!

  3. #3
    Thailand Expat tomcat's Avatar
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    ...The US Constitution sets up a wall between Church and State: no established religion...tRump and his self-serving advisers continue to tear down the separation in search of "Christian" votes to stay in power...

  4. #4
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    I'm sure you know why. Electoral politics- can't afford to lose the vote of the Christian Conservatives now, can we? We have a few here in Australia too y'know, although nowhere near as many as you do in the US. Unfortunately, one of them is our incumbent PM.

  5. #5
    Thailand Expat tomcat's Avatar
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    ...^not to mention the burning shame of Margaret Court...

  6. #6
    last farang standing
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    Some U.S. citizens may think that this taxpayer funded money is justfiable in a country where the majority of the taxpayers consider themselves Christian. (Closet Gay Christians may have a differing opinion of course), If the money is used to support poor people through charities, many of which are Christian operated, there may be some justification.
    Should it be for the administration of the faith then (IMO) the expenses should be born by the local "flock" as a commitment to their faith.
    I'm sure The Gay lobby is responsible for many charitable institutions in the U.S.A and is ready willing and able to donate all the time money and taxation increases needed to takeover from these Christian institutions that look after the poor and afflicted that the govt has washed its' hands of, if they fail.

  7. #7
    Days Work Done! Norton's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by tomcat View Post
    The US Constitution sets up a wall between Church
    Sorta.

    Jesus Inc. Gets Gov't Support Because God Needs Cash-100-dollars-jpg

  8. #8
    last farang standing
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    Quote Originally Posted by tomcat View Post
    ...^not to mention the burning shame of Margaret Court...
    Jeezus you are becoming the gay OhOh of TD.

  9. #9
    last farang standing
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    Quote Originally Posted by Norton View Post
    Sorta.

    Jesus Inc. Gets Gov't Support Because God Needs Cash-100-dollars-jpg
    Of course the money maybe royalty payments for use of the Christian logo.

  10. #10
    Thailand Expat tomcat's Avatar
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    "Christian" organizations don't hand out cash without strings...recipients will be encouraged to kneel before a true god and thank him for allowing his minions to pass out propaganda with the spam and canned veggies...of course, Catholics will be asked to sacrifice first-born sons and evangelicals their first-born daughters for personal instruction in the sacraments behind the alter...bon appetit!

  11. #11
    Days Work Done! Norton's Avatar
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    If Trump wants to up his support best he send big bucks to these folks.

    Attendees at the annual session of the National Baptist Convention in 2016.

    Jesus Inc. Gets Gov't Support Because God Needs Cash-ft_18-02-06_africanamericanchurch_featured-jpg

  12. #12
    Thailand Expat tomcat's Avatar
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    ...^of course, COVID-19 got a number of them...turns out social distancing is anti-christian...

  13. #13
    I am not a cat
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    So, they are exempt from paying taxes, but can put their snout in the public trough?

    Sweet deal.

  14. #14
    Thailand Expat harrybarracuda's Avatar
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    No be fair lads. The Catholics have to find the money (and buy sweets) for all those choirboys.

  15. #15
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    Quote Originally Posted by sabang View Post
    I'm sure you know why. Electoral politics- can't afford to lose the vote of the Christian Conservatives now, can we? We have a few here in Australia too y'know, although nowhere near as many as you do in the US. Unfortunately, one of them is our incumbent PM.
    I like our PM, met him when he was minister for immigration. His arguments were solid, well researched and thought out in a period where his position attracted much criticism.
    It just baffles me that this intelligent down to earth guy is a God botherer.

    He genuinely seems more honest than one who would just do it for the votes.

  16. #16
    Thailand Expat tomcat's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by harrybarracuda View Post
    It's a little bit past the "accusation" stage, you fucking idiot.
    ......the victims certainly think so...

  17. #17
    last farang standing
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    Quote Originally Posted by tomcat View Post
    "Christian" organizations don't hand out cash without strings...recipients will be encouraged to kneel before a true god and thank him for allowing his minions to pass out propaganda with the spam and canned veggies...of course, Catholics will be asked to sacrifice first-born sons and evangelicals their first-born daughters for personal instruction in the sacraments behind the alter...bon appetit!
    Of course that's rubbish like most of your posts. Unfortunately the only one you have ever likely had dealings with is Christians for intellectually disabled whiney Gay men and I cant speak for that one. Many Christian charities do not proselytise and most are Christian volunteers.

  18. #18
    Thailand Expat tomcat's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Hugh Cow View Post
    Many Christian charities do not proselytise and most are Christian volunteers.
    ......right, you'd never know if such charities were religion-based or not...until the hook has set...like this one for example:
    Hope Rising Event to Benefit Samaritan’s Purse

  19. #19
    Hangin' Around cyrille's Avatar
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    There's a voluntary helpers place supposedly for vulnerable Thai women near our place, owned by Christians.

    Never seen a Thai there except for the gardener.

    Just 30 something farang in pretty nice cars dropping by once in a while.

    They may not actually take salaries, but their needs while doing their good deeds seem to be met nicely.

    Bunch of phoney opportunists, by the looks.

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