quilp Posted October 14, 2016 Share Posted October 14, 2016 (edited) It's just a token of their extreme. The First Church of Appliantology ... It has all the insincerity of Scientology. Edited October 14, 2016 by quilp Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paswt Posted October 14, 2016 Share Posted October 14, 2016 We have laws to prevent pyramid schemes and yet no laws to prevent travesties such as this. I think the entire of the forum is united for once in thinking that scams like this should not be allowed to exist. So err, what can we do to kick this organisation off the island? But they willingly give their money. You might personally think that's mental (I do too) but I suppose if they agree to do it then it's no different to someone setting up a standing order or direct debit to Christian Aid or Oxfam. However, giving money to someone so they they can specifically buy a house for themselves is maybe different in that there is absolutely no spiritual or charitable reason why that person should live in a £500,000 house rather than a £300,000 house they could afford themselves. It's simply extravagant and indulgent and funded by other people. They shouldn't get preferential tax treatment on those donations as there is no religious or charitable benefit being achieved by that donation whatsoever. If the gift/s were given by individuals to an individual why is there a problem , if a few idiots decided to put some cash into your car fund as gifts you presumably wouldn't have a problem? If you intend to install a IHUBT in your cave I could advise 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BossHogg Posted October 14, 2016 Share Posted October 14, 2016 We have laws to prevent pyramid schemes and yet no laws to prevent travesties such as this. I think the entire of the forum is united for once in thinking that scams like this should not be allowed to exist. So err, what can we do to kick this organisation off the island? But they willingly give their money. You might personally think that's mental (I do too) but I suppose if they agree to do it then it's no different to someone setting up a standing order or direct debit to Christian Aid or Oxfam. However, giving money to someone so they they can specifically buy a house for themselves is maybe different in that there is absolutely no spiritual or charitable reason why that person should live in a £500,000 house rather than a £300,000 house they could afford themselves. It's simply extravagant and indulgent and funded by other people. They shouldn't get preferential tax treatment on those donations as there is no religious or charitable benefit being achieved by that donation whatsoever. If the gift/s were given by individuals to an individual why is there a problem , if a few idiots decided to put some cash into your car fund as gifts you presumably wouldn't have a problem? If you intend to install a IHUBT in your cave I could advise:flowers: Oh I forgot you're affiliated with these loonies aren't you. Yes I would object to people paying into my car fund as I'm not a scrounger and I'm not a charity case. I doubt he needs to live in a £500,000 house when he can afford a £300,000 without resorting to begging from people. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gladys Posted October 14, 2016 Share Posted October 14, 2016 Tarne....maybe suggest Louis Theroux come pays them a visit. I bet The lord god Jonathon would cack his Calvin Klein briefs (another gift no doubt). It does beg the question as to whether any of the other of this "church" money ends up in his and his lieutenants pockets?? Messrs Staples and Nelson never seem far away...like jolly henchmen. I do seriously think this needs to be all fully investigated by the FIU and charities commission. It stinks like a bad crap after curry night. We haven't got a Charities Commission on the island. All that is required is for charities to lodge their annual accounts with the Registry.That is not quite true. An organisation wishing to be registered as a charity, which it must do if it wants to call itself a charity, must satisfy certain criteria with the General Registry, which falls under the AG's office IIRC. Thereafter, it must file annual accounts which are scrutinised by the GR and must notify certain changes in officers etc. Account are also subject to audit if the charity is above a certain threshold. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
llap Posted October 14, 2016 Share Posted October 14, 2016 (edited) There's a level of psychological, spiritual and emotional manipulation involved in the whole theology of prosperity gospel cults like this. It's easy to dismiss it as benign and turn a blind eye on the premise that people are being silly so it's their own fault for paying them any money. But vulnerable people are being sucked into it. The elderly and people with mental health problems are particularly vulnerable to groups who promise to be their friend and are all happy and nice with them, when invariably they are neglected. I think we have a social responsibility to help fight groups like this and do more to care for everyone in society. The theological aspect is fascinating. It's outright bullshit, with no biblical support, and is heretical to every major mainstream church. They don't believe in the classic "salvation by grace through faith" of the Reformation, which was also adopted by the Catholic Church, but teach a strange semi-pelagian heresy by which a person's salvation or state of grace is intricately linked to their good works such as paying the tithe. In traditional Christian theology, a person cannot earn salvation or a state of grace; it is a gift from God, basically coming from the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross. To suggest that a person can earn or lose their salvation or state of grace, or to even imply it, is completely at odds with Christianity. They do this in a subtle, nuanced way, but the implications are the same. The bottom line is if you don't keep the cheques coming, you're going to Hell. Edited October 14, 2016 by llap 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NoTail Posted October 14, 2016 Share Posted October 14, 2016 I do agree with you llap, although these people are ridiculous and idiotic so we can laugh at them. There are those who can be taken advantage of and so there is a genuine sinister aspect to this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
llap Posted October 14, 2016 Share Posted October 14, 2016 I do agree with you llap, although these people are ridiculous and idiotic so we can laugh at them. There are those who can be taken advantage of and so there is a genuine sinister aspect to this. I don't think intelligence is a firewall against being drawn into a cult by charismatic people who play on people's emotions and prey on their vulnerabilities. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NoTail Posted October 14, 2016 Share Posted October 14, 2016 Agreed, there is no doubt that the Pope or the Archbishop of Canterbury are intelligent, what is needed is education. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
llap Posted October 14, 2016 Share Posted October 14, 2016 What kind of education? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thebees Posted October 14, 2016 Share Posted October 14, 2016 (edited) I'm not a fan of religion but everyone I know who is involved with this church is happy there is nothing wrong with that, at all. My friends give me things, I give them things back, this is no different it's just a bit more but maybe he gives them more happiness than I give my friends. IDK. ETA - I'm about to take a cake round to my friend, perhaps this is where I am going wrong, my cakes of late have been a bit shit Lemon & coconut with a hint of cardamon (Rock bun) Edited October 14, 2016 by thebees Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
llap Posted October 14, 2016 Share Posted October 14, 2016 (edited) I'm not a fan of religion but everyone I know who is involved with this church is happy there is nothing wrong with that, at all. Nothing except they're having 10% of their income (gross, not net) taken off them under a FALSE claim that God wants them to give it to some church organisation. That and the threat of burning in Hell for all eternity if they don't keep sending the cheques. There are people in abusive relationships who are happy, but does that mean abuse is okay, or does it mean they've been emotionally manipulated? Also, if they are Christians then they should see something wrong with it, because it's all contrary to the Bible and the teachings of Jesus. Alternatively, if they are free thinkers, they should see something wrong with it, because the whole thing is based on nonsense. Carl Sagan said best why there's something wrong with it: “The significance of our lives and our fragile planet is then determined only by our own wisdom and courage. We are the custodians of life's meaning. We long for a Parent to care for us, to forgive us our errors, to save us from our childish mistakes. But knowledge is preferable to ignorance. Better by far to embrace the hard truth than a reassuring fable. If we crave some cosmic purpose, then let us find ourselves a worthy goal.” Edited October 14, 2016 by llap 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the stinking enigma Posted October 14, 2016 Share Posted October 14, 2016 I dont think what this guy is doing is worse than say, operating a payments processor facilitating the ripping off of the old and vulnerable via a nigerian lottery scam. there are no morals in the isle of man Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the stinking enigma Posted October 14, 2016 Share Posted October 14, 2016 So it's quite laughable to suddenly see them appear in this case Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NoTail Posted October 14, 2016 Share Posted October 14, 2016 TSE- maybe you have a point. Perhaps, as this is adding to the GNP the Government could market this church to the rest of the world. We will have deciples/followers from across the world flocking to our shores to see the light. Could be bigger than Pokerstars. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joeyconcrete Posted October 14, 2016 Share Posted October 14, 2016 (edited) If this were egaming, we'd need a Religious Supervision Commission (RSC) that safeguards people's beliefs and validates that a religious operator can indeed pay out wishes when requested and validates the efficacy of blessings. Edited October 14, 2016 by joeyconcrete 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Please sign in to comment
You will be able to leave a comment after signing in
Sign In Now