Going to the rim

[John]

http://www.graftonforum.com/forum/index.php?topic=278.0


I may or may not be writing a bit more about Peaceful Assembly Church and the experience here in Grafton Center.
But, I mostly plan to just keep doing what a have been doing.

fyi: Whatever unfolds, I consider Peaceful Assembly Church to already have been a HUGE success.   

[Tom Sawyer]

Keep us informed John. Property Tax is, in my opinion, the must onerous tax. Peaceful Assembly Church can serve as a rallying point on the issue.

[KBCraig]

I suspect this isn't even about the money. The property was untaxed before, so they didn't lose any money when John bought it.

I think some noses are just out of joint about "what kind of church is this, anyway?!?", what with the tie-dyed parking lot and lack of "church" tradition.

It makes a mockery of freedom of religion if it's only good for government-approved religion.

[Russell Kanning]

I thought John was driving hard to the hoop.

[KBCraig]

An article about the same topic (sort of ).

http://www.unionleader.com/article/20130408/NEWS08/130409253

LYNDEBOROUGH - A local church has lost its appeal with the town over taxes, and will no longer be able to claim an exemption for the land and tiny chapel on Route 13.

Paul and Mary Lemire, who head the United Church of Christ, learned last week that their appeal of the town of Lyndeborough's decision to tax a four-acre parcel of land owned by the church had been denied by the New Hampshire Board of Land and Tax Appeals.

For years, the church argued that the land was tax-exempt because it was owned by a religious organization and would be used in the future for a new church building.

But some folks in town argued that the land, assessed at around $45,000, wasn't being used for religious services or events and thus didn't qualify for the tax exemption.

The church responded by building a small chapel on the land, complete with tiny pews and religious icons, and argued that people could worship at the chapel.

The problem, however, according to the board of selectmen, was that people weren't worshiping at Cutter Chapel.

In August, selectmen sent the church a letter saying that they were going to start taxing the property beyond the area where the chapel and the parking lot sit - a move that would add about $1,000 per year to the general fund.

"I am very disappointed with the recent ruling, but not surprised since it follows the current trend of disrespect that communities are showing toward religious entities," said Paul Lemire. "We are a small church with limited resources that will now have to pay into a system that is wasteful and inefficient."

Kevin Boette, chairman of the Lyndeborough Board of Selectmen, said he wasn't surprised by the result.

"They did not meet or even come close to the burden of proof required to gain tax-exempt status," Boette said.

[Becky Thatcher]

"It makes a mockery of freedom of religion if it's only good for government-approved religion," KBCraig said.

"They did not meet or even come close to the burden of proof required to gain tax-exempt status," Boette said.

I guess if you're not molesting young boys or hatefully protesting at dead soldiers funerals the government doesn't recognize your religion or tax exempt status.  Peace and love don't figure into any government's spreadsheet on what constitutes religion.  They'd rather have zealots.

[Russell Kanning]

But they need to spend that $1000

[John]

updated:

http://www.graftonforum.com/forum/index.php?topic=278.0

[Free libertarian]

I thought John was driving hard to the hoop.

Yes, except the rim is only 6 feet for the government to do their dunking on.   Regular people get to try throwing one down on a 20 foot rim, with no running start...oh and the court we get to use is a bed of nails and you can't wear any P.F. flyers either. 

[Russell Kanning]

How about chuck Taylors?

[Free libertarian]

Chuck Taylor's ? Maybe.  Nah, probably not for me anyhow... I'm a couple decades past having a vertical leap that is measurable in any way, but I can still use my 5 fouls effectively.

[John]

We made it. Peaceful Assembly Church has been a huge success!

God intended the pure mission of Peaceful Assembly Church (including zero cooperation with "Caesar" because ALL belongs to God) to last about three years.

Last summer God told me to start preparing to give away everything rather than let "Caesar" and his "Gov-Almighty" worshiping, thug, allies steal from Peaceful Assembly Church and/or me. God told me the time to do this would be prior to the gov-thugs' deadline of August 1st, 2013, but for me to NOT set a deadline for the individual select-thugs to do the right thing.
God said for me to rather be patient and still, and that He (within the year) would reveal to me when His specific time had arrived.

Tonight, as the thunder persistently rolled through the skies, God said "The time has come."

With over 150 consecutive weeks of regular Sunday Meetings here in Grafton Center, with hundreds of hours committed to "Art 4 Peace", and with thousands of hours of helping individuals with "Inner and Outer Peace Through 4Giveness" counseling in the Upper Valley and beyond, and with "Caesar's" petty threats continuing; God has instructed me to let go of everything.

The transition has begun.

May we all find in Peace and Metta.

http://www.graftonforum.com/forum/index.php?topic=278.0

[Free libertarian]

I felt the rain and heard the thunder too.   I thought it was god saying, "close the sky light!" .  So I did.

After awhile I got up and made coffee and watched the night give way to morning.  As day broke I listened to the birds  singing and then  I saw I had forgotten to roll up my truck windows.  Maybe I should listen better.   

[John]

thanks 4 the update

[Russell Kanning]

Aha