PT Barnum, the famous circus promoter, once claimed that there was a "sucker born every minute." Anyone who takes just a little time to examine the annual statements of the numerous ministries on the various "religious" networks can see PT Barnum wasn't far off the mark. Anyone who has seen a tribe of native people and observed their religious system can easily tell there is no difference in what a "witch doctor" peddles and what TV preachers peddle. In their defense, witch doctors at least provide a talisman or charm for their services.

Any religious organization that lists $17 million in investments, over $10 million in salaries, and only spends less than 20% of their income for actual charity is not a religious charity. The above figures came from just one well known religious ministry. There is no way an organization like this could claim to any informed citizen that they are a non-profit organization, so how can they get away with doing this to our elected leaders and the IRS? These are for-profit corporations, and should be taxed as such.

Religious organizations by law, are corporations. They are a creation of the state, just as for-profit organization are creations of the state. Any time the administration of a non-profit organization exceeds 5% of the total money brought in this is not a non-profit "charitable" organization. What it is, is a few people getting rich off the fears and superstitions of others. Just a few of these organizations are: Joyce Meyer Ministries, Focus on the Family, Rod Parsley Ministries, John Hagee MInistry, 700 Club, and the Benny Hinn Ministry. There are many more. Ironically, many of these organizations are blatantly partisan when it comes to politics. They use money from the poor and elderly to pursue aggressive political agendas directly in opposition to the interests of the people who contribute money to them. There is little, if any, accountability.

This is nothing more than a racket. These religious corporations draw hefty sums from our citizens, especially the elderly, and should be taxed as any other for-profit organization. They are in the business of selling hope, but President Obama is much better at selling hope. He actually delivers a product too. It is high time our elected officials look into this issue and force these entities to pay the same taxes as all our other profitable businesses must do. Anything less is a great injustice upon the other businesses in our country that actually provide viable services.

This country will not allow car makers to sell faulty cars. How can we allow TV preachers to extort money from our poor and elderly? These organization make a mockery of the Christian religion.

Stephen Durham (freethinker1963@yahoo.com)