I just received my tax return for 2012 back from the IRS. It puzzles me!!!

They are questioning how many dependents I claimed.

I guess it was because of my response to the question: "List all dependents?"

I replied: 12 million illegal immigrants;

3 million crack heads;

42 million unemployed people on food stamps,

2 million people in over 243 prisons;

Half of Mexico ;

and 535 persons in

the U.S. House and Senate."

Evidently, this was NOT an acceptable answer.

I KEEP ASKING MYSELF, WHO THE HELL DID I MISS?

Honestly, I think this is the funniest thing I've read on here in a long time. +2 to you good sir.

(01-28-2013 01:02 PM)MG61 Wrote:  I just received my tax return for 2012 back from the IRS. It puzzles me!!!

They are questioning how many dependents I claimed.

I guess it was because of my response to the question: "List all dependents?"

I replied: 12 million illegal immigrants;

3 million crack heads;

42 million unemployed people on food stamps,

2 million people in over 243 prisons;

Half of Mexico ;

and 535 persons in

the U.S. House and Senate."

Evidently, this was NOT an acceptable answer.

I KEEP ASKING MYSELF, WHO THE HELL DID I MISS?

You were too generous and left out a few.

All the bureaucrats running agencies in DC.

Starving artists who need to make a movie about transgender, lesbian dwarfs who are fighting for more funding to combat global warming.

Students who need pell grants to continue their efforts to get a degree in Ancient French Poetry that has been translated into Sanskrit, because that is a required skill of Starbucks baristas.

And, of course, me!!

(01-28-2013 01:02 PM)MG61 Wrote:  I just received my tax return for 2012 back from the IRS. It puzzles me!!!

They are questioning how many dependents I claimed.

I guess it was because of my response to the question: "List all dependents?"

I replied: 12 million illegal immigrants;

3 million crack heads;

42 million unemployed people on food stamps,

2 million people in over 243 prisons;

Half of Mexico ;

and 535 persons in

the U.S. House and Senate."

Evidently, this was NOT an acceptable answer.

I KEEP ASKING MYSELF, WHO THE HELL DID I MISS?

Are you a Christian?

(01-29-2013 11:04 AM)mathenis89 Wrote:  

(01-28-2013 01:02 PM)MG61 Wrote:  I just received my tax return for 2012 back from the IRS. It puzzles me!!!

They are questioning how many dependents I claimed.

I guess it was because of my response to the question: "List all dependents?"

I replied: 12 million illegal immigrants;

3 million crack heads;

42 million unemployed people on food stamps,

2 million people in over 243 prisons;

Half of Mexico ;

and 535 persons in

the U.S. House and Senate."

Evidently, this was NOT an acceptable answer.

I KEEP ASKING MYSELF, WHO THE HELL DID I MISS?

Are you a Christian?

Yes, are you ?

(01-29-2013 01:49 PM)MG61 Wrote:  

(01-29-2013 11:04 AM)mathenis89 Wrote:  

(01-28-2013 01:02 PM)MG61 Wrote:  I just received my tax return for 2012 back from the IRS. It puzzles me!!!

They are questioning how many dependents I claimed.

I guess it was because of my response to the question: "List all dependents?"

I replied: 12 million illegal immigrants;

3 million crack heads;

42 million unemployed people on food stamps,

2 million people in over 243 prisons;

Half of Mexico ;

and 535 persons in

the U.S. House and Senate."

Evidently, this was NOT an acceptable answer.

I KEEP ASKING MYSELF, WHO THE HELL DID I MISS?

Are you a Christian?

Yes, are you ?

How are you a Christian if you ignore Jesus's message to feed the poor and help the needy?

(01-30-2013 02:30 AM)mathenis89 Wrote:  

(01-29-2013 01:49 PM)MG61 Wrote:  

(01-29-2013 11:04 AM)mathenis89 Wrote:  

(01-28-2013 01:02 PM)MG61 Wrote:  I just received my tax return for 2012 back from the IRS. It puzzles me!!!

They are questioning how many dependents I claimed.

I guess it was because of my response to the question: "List all dependents?"

I replied: 12 million illegal immigrants;

3 million crack heads;

42 million unemployed people on food stamps,

2 million people in over 243 prisons;

Half of Mexico ;

and 535 persons in

the U.S. House and Senate."

Evidently, this was NOT an acceptable answer.

I KEEP ASKING MYSELF, WHO THE HELL DID I MISS?

Are you a Christian?

Yes, are you ?

How are you a Christian if you ignore Jesus's message to feed the poor and help the needy?

Ok. I will bite!! What he is talking about has nothing to do with being a Christian. Besides, what about all the agnostics/atheists out there who pay taxes? He was making a comment about having to pay taxes and how that money is wasted.

You want to be a fine Christian and feed the poor, great. Knock yourself out with you paycheck. Keep your hand off of mine. If I want to donate money to some cause or research, then I will donate. I don't need a bunch of people (congress) who thinks they are smarter than me and thinks they know how to better spend my money. There are a few things that government should provide for in a truly free society: Defense (our military), Protection (fire/police) and certain infrastructure. Yes, we need to maintain diplomats but after that, everything else is just nice to have stuff. As soon as people (and Congress) comes to that realization, we can do something about $16 trillon in debt and deficit spending.

(01-30-2013 10:20 AM)InjunJohn Wrote:  

(01-30-2013 02:30 AM)mathenis89 Wrote:  

(01-29-2013 01:49 PM)MG61 Wrote:  

(01-29-2013 11:04 AM)mathenis89 Wrote:  

(01-28-2013 01:02 PM)MG61 Wrote:  I just received my tax return for 2012 back from the IRS. It puzzles me!!!

They are questioning how many dependents I claimed.

I guess it was because of my response to the question: "List all dependents?"

I replied: 12 million illegal immigrants;

3 million crack heads;

42 million unemployed people on food stamps,

2 million people in over 243 prisons;

Half of Mexico ;

and 535 persons in

the U.S. House and Senate."

Evidently, this was NOT an acceptable answer.

I KEEP ASKING MYSELF, WHO THE HELL DID I MISS?

Are you a Christian?

Yes, are you ?

How are you a Christian if you ignore Jesus's message to feed the poor and help the needy?

Ok. I will bite!! What he is talking about has nothing to do with being a Christian. Besides, what about all the agnostics/atheists out there who pay taxes? He was making a comment about having to pay taxes and how that money is wasted.

You want to be a fine Christian and feed the poor, great. Knock yourself out with you paycheck. Keep your hand off of mine. If I want to donate money to some cause or research, then I will donate. I don't need a bunch of people (congress) who thinks they are smarter than me and thinks they know how to better spend my money. There are a few things that government should provide for in a truly free society: Defense (our military), Protection (fire/police) and certain infrastructure. Yes, we need to maintain diplomats but after that, everything else is just nice to have stuff. As soon as people (and Congress) comes to that realization, we can do something about $16 trillon in debt and deficit spending.

So, you don't believe in Christ's teaching, then? Jesus Christ would not agree with the capitalist system. He would want universal healthcare. He would want everyone to go to sleep every night with, healthily fed and with a roof over their heads.

I assume you're a conservative, which means you want to cut social programs that help the poor and sick. But you don't want to cut our Defense Budget. You don't want to cut subsidies to oil companies. You support companies like Walmart who treat employees like garbage because all that matters is their bottom line.

And I'm agnostic. But I fully support my taxpayer dollars going to better our society as a whole. If my tax dollars can help other human beings live a decent life, then I'll gladly pay slightly more in taxes. I have an opinion that Gandhi had:

"I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ." - Mahatma Gandhi

(01-30-2013 03:00 PM)mathenis89 Wrote:  

(01-30-2013 10:20 AM)InjunJohn Wrote:  

(01-30-2013 02:30 AM)mathenis89 Wrote:  

(01-29-2013 01:49 PM)MG61 Wrote:  

(01-29-2013 11:04 AM)mathenis89 Wrote:  Are you a Christian?

Yes, are you ?

How are you a Christian if you ignore Jesus's message to feed the poor and help the needy?

Ok. I will bite!! What he is talking about has nothing to do with being a Christian. Besides, what about all the agnostics/atheists out there who pay taxes? He was making a comment about having to pay taxes and how that money is wasted.

You want to be a fine Christian and feed the poor, great. Knock yourself out with you paycheck. Keep your hand off of mine. If I want to donate money to some cause or research, then I will donate. I don't need a bunch of people (congress) who thinks they are smarter than me and thinks they know how to better spend my money. There are a few things that government should provide for in a truly free society: Defense (our military), Protection (fire/police) and certain infrastructure. Yes, we need to maintain diplomats but after that, everything else is just nice to have stuff. As soon as people (and Congress) comes to that realization, we can do something about $16 trillon in debt and deficit spending.

So, you don't believe in Christ's teaching, then? Jesus Christ would not agree with the capitalist system. He would want universal healthcare. He would want everyone to go to sleep every night with, healthily fed and with a roof over their heads.

I assume you're a conservative, which means you want to cut social programs that help the poor and sick. But you don't want to cut our Defense Budget. You don't want to cut subsidies to oil companies. You support companies like Walmart who treat employees like garbage because all that matters is their bottom line.

And I'm agnostic. But I fully support my taxpayer dollars going to better our society as a whole. If my tax dollars can help other human beings live a decent life, then I'll gladly pay slightly more in taxes. I have an opinion that Gandhi had:

"I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ." - Mahatma Gandhi

You made a hell of a lot of assumption as to what I support and don't support. You threw in some nice liberal talking points as well and got the standard hot button issues that all liberals like to attack.

There are a few things that government should inherently do that all of society benefits from collectively. The military protects all of us. Police and Fire departments protect us all. There is infrastructure that government will need to build. Pretty much after that, there aren't necessities but nice to have things. You prioritize those and when money is gone, you stop spending.

You want to help the poor? Fine, get off your butt and go do it. Give your money and give your time. Open your house for some homeless guy on the street. That is your business and none of mine. Whether I do or not is my business and none of yours. Because you feel like somebody needs help doesn't give you the right to pick my pocket as a part of forceable charity.

(01-30-2013 03:00 PM)mathenis89 Wrote:  So, you don't believe in Christ's teaching, then? Jesus Christ would not agree with the capitalist system. He would want universal healthcare. He would want everyone to go to sleep every night with, healthily fed and with a roof over their heads.

I assume you're a conservative, which means you want to cut social programs that help the poor and sick. But you don't want to cut our Defense Budget. You don't want to cut subsidies to oil companies. You support companies like Walmart who treat employees like garbage because all that matters is their bottom line.

And I'm agnostic. But I fully support my taxpayer dollars going to better our society as a whole. If my tax dollars can help other human beings live a decent life, then I'll gladly pay slightly more in taxes. I have an opinion that Gandhi had:

"I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ." - Mahatma Gandhi

Love it when an agnostic tells a Christian what Jesus would do. I would suggest you go look up 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13 and try again.

...and remember, money taken from you under threat of the police power of the State is not charity. Christ calls us to charity, not slavery.

(01-30-2013 05:22 PM)Panthersville Wrote:  

(01-30-2013 03:00 PM)mathenis89 Wrote:  So, you don't believe in Christ's teaching, then? Jesus Christ would not agree with the capitalist system. He would want universal healthcare. He would want everyone to go to sleep every night with, healthily fed and with a roof over their heads.

I assume you're a conservative, which means you want to cut social programs that help the poor and sick. But you don't want to cut our Defense Budget. You don't want to cut subsidies to oil companies. You support companies like Walmart who treat employees like garbage because all that matters is their bottom line.

And I'm agnostic. But I fully support my taxpayer dollars going to better our society as a whole. If my tax dollars can help other human beings live a decent life, then I'll gladly pay slightly more in taxes. I have an opinion that Gandhi had:

"I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ." - Mahatma Gandhi

Love it when an agnostic tells a Christian what Jesus would do. I would suggest you go look up 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13 and try again.

...and remember, money taken from you under threat of the police power of the State is not charity. Christ calls us to charity, not slavery.

I love it when Christians throw bout irrelevent Bible verses and claim to have read and understood the Bible and say they follow Christ's teaching's.

I have read the Bible. I agree with Christ. I love the ideals of Christ. I do not like how perverted the organized religion has become.

(01-30-2013 05:22 PM)Panthersville Wrote:  Love it when an agnostic tells a Christian what Jesus would do. I would suggest you go look up 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13 and try again.

...and remember, money taken from you under threat of the police power of the State is not charity. Christ calls us to charity, not slavery.

Because Agnostics can't read? An Agnostic could never know anything about Christianity or any other religion, right?

Anyhow, it's not charity or slavery, it's civic duty.

(01-31-2013 12:54 PM)MTPiKapp Wrote:  

(01-30-2013 05:22 PM)Panthersville Wrote:  Love it when an agnostic tells a Christian what Jesus would do. I would suggest you go look up 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13 and try again.

...and remember, money taken from you under threat of the police power of the State is not charity. Christ calls us to charity, not slavery.

Because Agnostics can't read? An Agnostic could never know anything about Christianity or any other religion, right?

Anyhow, it's not charity or slavery, it's civic duty.

I... Wait a minute...

(01-30-2013 09:10 PM)mathenis89 Wrote:  I love it when Christians throw out irrelevent Bible verses and claim to have read and understood the Bible and say they follow Christ's teaching's.

I have read the Bible. I agree with Christ. I love the ideals of Christ. I do not like how perverted the organized religion has become.

Irrelevant? Think again.

As for the rest - good for you, glad you got it all figured out and have a good enough view from your lofty perch to tell us all what we are doing wrong.

(01-31-2013 02:00 PM)Panthersville Wrote:  

(01-30-2013 09:10 PM)mathenis89 Wrote:  I love it when Christians throw out irrelevent Bible verses and claim to have read and understood the Bible and say they follow Christ's teaching's.

I have read the Bible. I agree with Christ. I love the ideals of Christ. I do not like how perverted the organized religion has become.

Irrelevant? Think again.

As for the rest - good for you, glad you got it all figured out and have a good enough view from your lofty perch to tell us all what we are doing wrong.

I'm not necessarily saying you're doing something wrong.

I'm just merely calling you out for hypocrisy.

(01-31-2013 12:54 PM)MTPiKapp Wrote:  

(01-30-2013 05:22 PM)Panthersville Wrote:  Love it when an agnostic tells a Christian what Jesus would do. I would suggest you go look up 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13 and try again.

...and remember, money taken from you under threat of the police power of the State is not charity. Christ calls us to charity, not slavery.

Because Agnostics can't read? An Agnostic could never know anything about Christianity or any other religion, right?

Anyhow, it's not charity or slavery, it's civic duty.

Giving what you have to those in need is the definition of charity. Paying taxes to support government is civic duty. However, when the government confuses its proper role for a charitable one and justifies forced redistribution of wealth on charitable grounds, that is when slavery (taking someone's labor without compensation) begins.

(01-31-2013 02:01 PM)mathenis89 Wrote:  

(01-31-2013 02:00 PM)Panthersville Wrote:  

(01-30-2013 09:10 PM)mathenis89 Wrote:  I love it when Christians throw out irrelevent Bible verses and claim to have read and understood the Bible and say they follow Christ's teaching's.

I have read the Bible. I agree with Christ. I love the ideals of Christ. I do not like how perverted the organized religion has become.

Irrelevant? Think again.

As for the rest - good for you, glad you got it all figured out and have a good enough view from your lofty perch to tell us all what we are doing wrong.

I'm not necessarily saying you're doing something wrong.

I'm just merely calling you out for hypocrisy.

Ahh...there it is...the "h" word that is meant to both insult and shut-down any opposing argument from Christians.

Fortunately, my understanding of Christianity has led me to the conclusion that the Christian life is, by definition, hypocritical. We are called to a standard (Christ) that we are told we cannot, and will not, meet. So, if I'm a hypocrite, at least I've got my standard right.

However, there is no hypocrisy in saying that government should have no role in redistribution of wealth. It is not a proper government function, it is a proper function of the church, and should remain there. This is why I give more money to my church on an annual basis than I do to the Federal government. Is that hypocritical?

(01-31-2013 02:12 PM)Panthersville Wrote:  

(01-31-2013 02:01 PM)mathenis89 Wrote:  

(01-31-2013 02:00 PM)Panthersville Wrote:  

(01-30-2013 09:10 PM)mathenis89 Wrote:  I love it when Christians throw out irrelevent Bible verses and claim to have read and understood the Bible and say they follow Christ's teaching's.

I have read the Bible. I agree with Christ. I love the ideals of Christ. I do not like how perverted the organized religion has become.

Irrelevant? Think again.

As for the rest - good for you, glad you got it all figured out and have a good enough view from your lofty perch to tell us all what we are doing wrong.

I'm not necessarily saying you're doing something wrong.

I'm just merely calling you out for hypocrisy.

Ahh...there it is...the "h" word that is meant to both insult and shut-down any opposing argument from Christians.

Fortunately, my understanding of Christianity has led me to the conclusion that the Christian life is, by definition, hypocritical. We are called to a standard (Christ) that we are told we cannot, and will not, meet. So, if I'm a hypocrite, at least I've got my standard right.

However, there is no hypocrisy in saying that government should have no role in redistribution of wealth. It is not a proper government function, it is a proper function of the church, and should remain there. This is why I give more money to my church on an annual basis than I do to the Federal government. Is that hypocritical?

Tell me how many food stamps your Church gives out. Tell me how many unemployment benefits your church gives out. Tell me how your church gives money to retired folks so they can live out their days somewhat peaceably.

Yes, no one can meet Christ's standards. But most Christians don't even try. Pro-life, except they support the death penalty. Eye for an eye is fair, right? Most Christians fight against gay rights, even though they are human beings, just like us. Hypocrisy reigns supreme in the Christian religion and the worst part is a lot of Christians try to shove beliefs down our throats.

MTP had it right by describing it as civic duty. All people working for the betterment of a community or society betters that society as a whole.

(01-31-2013 02:26 PM)mathenis89 Wrote:  Tell me how many food stamps your Church gives out. Tell me how many unemployment benefits your church gives out. Tell me how your church gives money to retired folks so they can live out their days somewhat peaceably.

Yes, no one can meet Christ's standards. But most Christians don't even try. Pro-life, except they support the death penalty. Eye for an eye is fair, right? Most Christians fight against gay rights, even though they are human beings, just like us.

Is actual food better than foods stamps? We give out tons (literally).

Unemployment "benefits"? How about cash to members and non-members alike who are looking for work.

Money to retired folks? Where does it say in Scripture that we should "retire"?

Government programs taking over the traditional functions of charity are why we are in the mess we are in. Furthermore, it is a proven fact that it damages society as a whole when everyone doesn't pull their own weight (or at least as much of it as they can), which is exactly what those government programs you pointed out do.

As for the rest, now that I know where you are coming from, it is quite clear that your reading of scripture is far more selective than mine.