A Day in Life of Palestinians in West Bank
- Thread starter Byron_Bay_Fan
- Start date
@ said:
Church groups don't pay tax, but they also provide an enormous amount of services to the community like education, health, and social services that are funded either wholly or partially through private funds.
For example if all of the country's Christian Schools shut down tomorrow, the government would have no capacity to educate about a third of the kids in this country. The Church relieves the government of a huge burden, which is why they continue to receive the exemption from paying taxes.
And just to note, separation of Church and State does not mean that the two can never meet. It just means that the country cannot designate a state religion, or prevent the free exercise of religion by its citizens. It does not mean the Church must remain mute and sidelined.
goldcoast_tiger
New member
@ said:
The same things have been said about Israel by the surrounding countries many times since the Second World War. As usual there's two sides to every story, the main things that sticks out is that Israel is different to most soft western countries, in that they don't fight wars with one arm tied behind them .its that attitude that has enabled to exist, and defend their country for the time that they have.theyve had terrorism to live with much longer than we have. There will never be peace in the Middle East, their problems and hatred go back hundred of years.and with so many extremists over there it's never l going to change
@ said:
They also amass a wealth of tax free funds and assets also. The Catholic Church despite all it's supposed philanthropy has $1.2b in assets and regularly makes tax free profits. And that's just in Australia.
Christian schools are subsidised by the government to provide education. Not saying the churches don't provide funds at all, but a large amount of it is subsidised by government funding and parents also paying fees.
I think religious freedom is important as well, although I don't believe political parties running on religious platforms are a good thing either.
@ said:
If the Govt taxes Churches, they would run at a Taxable Loss anyway, meaning they still wouldn't pay any taxes. Remember, you don't pay tax on Assets you hold.
However if Churches refused to continue with their Education, Health, and Social services in protest at the Government wanting to tax them, the Government would be forced to raise income taxes for everyone else to cover the cost of these activities which they would suddenly have to fund.
People might voluntarily donate to a church, or pay school fees to get their kids a religious education, but they wont be happy to be forced to pay these costs to the Government instead as mandatory taxes.
So that's why the status quo remains… its in everybody's best interests.
Yeah I am aware of the tax rules regarding assets, just pointing out that they do quite well for themselves despite all their
I see what you're saying in regard to the removal of funding from social services, but in any case it leaves a void for the "for-profit" independent organisations to fill. It's not a terminal situation for government or the taxpayer.
I see what you're saying in regard to the removal of funding from social services, but in any case it leaves a void for the "for-profit" independent organisations to fill. It's not a terminal situation for government or the taxpayer.
bigsiro
Well-known member
@ said:
I follow these politics keenly and I have never, ever heard or read of any representative of Israel speaking with that kind of rhetoric.
If you want to PM me with the source then by all means.
I find it absolutely disgusting that a political agenda and bias like that which is being espoused here is being communicated and broadcast on a Tigers forum.
These politics have no place here. It's too sensitive. It only creates incitement and bad blood between Tigers supporters. Completely unnecessary.
Shut this down.
Please.
From what I can see there hasn't been anything that has contravened forum rules and as such no one can be cited.
IMO everything seems to be discussed with a reasonable degree of civility also, despite a wide range of opinions.
IMO everything seems to be discussed with a reasonable degree of civility also, despite a wide range of opinions.
Byron_Bay_Fan
New member
@ said:
Big Siro you sound President Trump, who is a convicted Rapist and Felon trying to shut down the FBI investigation into Russian contacts that is splitting the Republican Party. If things out of line the MODS will act soon enough. We have to have something to keep us occupied when the Tigers are not that exciting and no SOO games.
bigsiro
Well-known member
@ said:
Fair call. Point taken.
So…. you agree with occupation?
Byron_Bay_Fan
New member
The United Nations does not agree with the occupation, all those millions of refugees under international law have Right of Return that Israel refuses to recognise.
The late ex-president Ariel Sharon gave the Gaza Strip back recognising Palestinian rights - as the rest of occupied Palestine (including Israel) has the same status re being occupied by the Palestinians for thousands of years Sharon's actions give de facto recognition for the non existence of the Jewish State.
Zionism, about thirty years ago was declared by the UN to be a form of racism, that also questions the morality and legitimacy of the Jewish State. (that resolution since reversed)
Israel breaks many international laws by their blockades, dividing walls, Jew-only roads, occupation, denial of supplies, denial of fishing, etc etc..
I can't understand how any fair-minded person can accept the actions of the Jewish State when they break so many international laws.
The Second World War many thought was to prove that Might Does Not Equal Right - but in Israel's case that was completely ignored immediately after the War.
The late ex-president Ariel Sharon gave the Gaza Strip back recognising Palestinian rights - as the rest of occupied Palestine (including Israel) has the same status re being occupied by the Palestinians for thousands of years Sharon's actions give de facto recognition for the non existence of the Jewish State.
Zionism, about thirty years ago was declared by the UN to be a form of racism, that also questions the morality and legitimacy of the Jewish State. (that resolution since reversed)
Israel breaks many international laws by their blockades, dividing walls, Jew-only roads, occupation, denial of supplies, denial of fishing, etc etc..
I can't understand how any fair-minded person can accept the actions of the Jewish State when they break so many international laws.
The Second World War many thought was to prove that Might Does Not Equal Right - but in Israel's case that was completely ignored immediately after the War.
Maybe accept is too strong but I certainly understand why Israel does a lot of those things. The Palestinians get a raw deal from the Arab states too.
@ said:
Sadly there is no doubt fault lies on both sides in this issue. The fact that many Jews and Arabs have no trouble getting on, suggests this is more a political problem than a cultural or religious driven issue.
Clearly the easiest way to fix this is to instigate a State Of Origin sporting event. Winner gets bragging rights for the next 12 months :slight_smile:
@ said:
Yes agreed - well with the first paragraph! Jews were present in decent numbers throughout the ME before Israel came into being.
Byron_Bay_Fan
New member
@ said:
Poor European Jews for decades beforehand were being sponsored to go to the Middle East with the intention of eventually setting up a Jewish state. What is wrong with that one may ask? Well the original Jews were ethnic Arab Jews, the new arrivals were European Jews of entirely different culture, perceived social standing etc.. They even treated the Arab Jews in a condescending manner so there were clashes as early as 1920s.
