[tmux314]

Whether you are religious or not, this should sicken you. The difference between a religious scam and a non-religious scam is that religious organizations don't pay taxes and have close to zero accountability financially (at least in the US). They can peddle snake oil with no repercussions.

On top of that, there is a special kind of betrayal when a spiritual leader abuses his follower's trust. Others may feel differently, but to me these scams are more sinister than QVS promising 'science-proven results' or a 'Nigerian prince' email spam.

[umvi]

It is indeed sickening. But it's difficult to just address these abuses of the system when people are so quick to grab their pitchforks against all religion.

I assume you were referring to my comment. To be frank, I always feel a little threatened by these types of stories because so many people end up using it as leverage to question the value of freedom of religion (a freedom I hold dear).

Perhaps you may have felt the same defensive instinct when a popular response to the sickening display of racism or hate is to call into question the value of freedom of speech.

[lostmsu]

I don't think it is difficult. Just require full public report on the expenses.

[zamadatix]

What does tax exemption and financial regulation have to do with freedom of religion? It certainly doesn't have anything to do with freedom of speech.

[maxlybbert]

Honestly, I didn’t feel any insight from the article. As far as I can see, the point was that they found Americans who admitted to having been duped, and since they didn’t also profile Britains who had been duped, clearly the American system is backwards.

Articles in the 1980s about televangelists at least mentioned the use of television. Articles about nondenominational megachurches make some effort to show that they’re different from other large churches. Articles about the Holy See can discuss the history of when the Vatican became an official country (more recently than I thought). This article amounts to “religious Americans are idiots.”

[fredgrott]

one little note..sarcasm on...people actually trust someone who wants to differently than Jesus(ie Jesus is said to have stated give money to government and give time-effort to religion)? Is it fraud if the meek person is in fact suffering fromm lack of thinking?..sarcasm off ..