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In America, you can get tax exemption if you donate to your church. I 've always struggled with that and would argue you should pay more tax if you go to church. Then only people prepared to make personal sacrifices would go and it would be a purer faith! Also we would have funding for the counselling required for the victims of abuse caused by said church.More jobs can be created by money spent on Education than on the Military, by a factor by about ten fold I think, so any discussion of tax should look at this. But we must emphasise that taxation is the mark of a fair society. However, saying this in America requires tact, as I believe that you can be arrested in some parts of Texas for such statements. (I exaggerate ....you need to say it three times.)
Tell them you love American Churches ...There are churches there that are amazing. I went to the FAME church (First American Methodist Episcopalian, I think) in South Central, in LA and was moved sideways. The singing, the friendliness and the sheer spirit was uplifting and unforgettable. There were a hundred people in the choir, maybe more.
When the minister asked us to put our hands in the air this heathen jumped up and sang like a zealot. I was hugged by the biggest young man I had ever seen. I checked my pockets afterwards. I had expected to get mugged, as even a dumb Scot knew that South Central is a hellish drug valley of hopelessness.
Where were the screaming cop cars, the gold chains weighing down the sunglass-eyed, menacing dudes? These young dudes were softly spoken, suit wearing giants and the friendliest people I have ever met. Our churches are dull and could wither away. The FAME church won 't.
