Augusta, GA's proposed slashing of church tax exemption deemed by pastor to be part of satanic move to destroy the church

Once again, Augusta, Georgia, finds religious controversy swirling about.

The big story last August was when the Freedom From Religion Foundation warned the city that its mayor and employees should not be sponsoring prayer breakfasts because government sponsored religion is unconstitutional — and now those pious events are called "The Community Prayer Breakfast" and are privately sponsored.

Now, a proposed tax increase has some pastors howling about Satan's dark intentions.  In trying to fill a $1 million budget hole created in part by a statewide tax break for local manufacturers, the Mayor Pro Tem first suggested slashing church exemptions as a way to make up for less funding from the state.

"I'm not surprised at that," remarked Rev. K. B. Martin with the Augusta Baptist Ministers Conference to News Channel 12, "because it's really more of a satanic move.  It's part of the movement to destroy the church and then you want to ask the question, why is society in the shape that it's in?"

Joe Bowles, the Mayor Pro Tem, retorted, "You know, racist preachers have their own opinions, and I sleep well at night."

Commissioners are looking at other ways beyond church taxes to make up for revenue, such as franchise fees on manufacturers, which Bowles says is actually a tax and defeats the purpose of the tax break that would encourage business.

Nationwide, church tax exemptions account for billions of dollars, contributing to city and state budget deficits.  Over the last decade, church-related tax exemptions shaved off $145 billion from tax collections.

(The news video will load in 1-2 seconds.)

D. Beeksma

One of the growing crowd of American "nones" herself, Deborah is a prolific writer who finds religion, spirituality and the impact of belief (and non-belief) on culture inspiring, fascinating and at times, disturbing. She hosts the God Discussion show and handles the site's technical work. Her education and background is in business, ecommerce and law.

More Posts - Website - Twitter

  • Rick

    The taxes that the church doesn't pay are made up by the rest of society. This seems unfair, I think that Church goers should pay a surtax to support their cults rather than expecting the rest of us to do it.

    • Deborah_B

      It seems reasonable to expect them to pay property taxes to support the fire and police protection they receive, as well as road maintenance and everything else that comes with property ownership.

  • Peter

    The churches are the ultimate welfare queens.

  • seriously

    When did paying your taxes stop being regarded as a civic duty? Churches pretend to be part of the community, but it's really time they cowboy up and act like good neighbors. Jesus said to render unto Caesar what is Caesar's — that means that Christians were always commanded to fulfil their civic obligations and support their communities!

    Until churches pay their taxes like every other organization, people really should stop donating money to them! Seriously, would you rather buy your screaming preacher a new Ferrari, or pay a firefighter's salary? Find something constructive to donate your cash to – there are military charities, firefighter's injury funds, donations to support police K-9 officers, there's public libraries, schools, and the Red Cross. There are tons of legitimate places where your donations could do so much more good.

    Also, I'd seriously think twice about following a preacher who cries "SatanOMG!!" at the first hint that someone wants him to support his community. Satan? Really? This guy goes from zero to "satan is after me!" in less than five seconds. He may be up to something, folks. That, or actually mentally ill. Might want to think about changing churches… Perhaps you should find one whose pastor doesn't think that firefighter salaries and ambulances are a hell-spawned Satanic plot of doom.

  • sddfasddff

    Fuck that guy. The fact that he's a preacher implies he's of lesser intelligence than that of even a regular religious person. His opinion counts for nothing. Tax the churches!

  • Hail Odin

    Churches should pay taxes. It's only right. Why should Odinist have to pay taxes? They need no alter nor "church" to praise Odin, Vil, and Ve. Should that mean Odinists should be completely erradicated of paying taxes? Churches are a waste of space if you ask me. 1 Church for each religion in each city is enough. We don't need 14 Christian churches and 2 Catholic churches in one City… such as Wilmington Ohio.

  • Outsource Data Entry

    The fact that he's a preacher implies he's of lesser intelligence than
    that of even a regular religious person. His opinion counts for nothing.