The Friendly Atheist On "Jeopardy!"

[@phishrocks1992]

Churches should be ashamed of themselves. How did they get their money before to pay their salaries? From their congregants of course. So they should be asking them, not us.

[@andreadiamond7115]

I really like Hemant too.

[@caribbeanman3379]

Hemant is on Jeopardy! season 36 episodes 148 and 149

[@hildy208]

So cool! Thrilled for him!

[@colclark107]

Organizations like FFRF and activists like Hemant Mehta are more important than ever!

[@doneestoner9945]

Yes, indeed. The Christian Theocrats are working overtime.

[@Smartiebob317]

Here is why many churches are now telling their people to stay home. They know in a few weeks many will catch the virus & be home sick on Sunday and miss that money plate that goes around a few times during the service. Keep up the good work. Enjoyed your book.

[@biologicalengineoflove6851]

Religion was putting us all in jeopardy even before this crisis.

[@bobh5087]

Thanks to everyone for this very interesting show. 👍

[@lengray44]

As long as I live I am never going to forget the woman being interviewed coming from church. Her saying she was concerned because she covered in the blood of Jesus, just leaves me floored.

[@ybrynecho2368]

I saw Hemant on Jeopardy and, as a Canadian, I actually laughed out loud when he answered the question, "The Canadian 'Four Corners' includes what two Canadian prairie provinces?" Hemant's answer, "Newfoundland and Labrador" - which is on the Atlantic coast and is one province. LOL

[@Mr05241948]

Allowing monetary grants to churches that do not pay taxes, might be a political move on the part or the grantors to garner votes for re-election.

[@karlrschneider]

duh...

[@doneestoner9945]

These two guys are so-o-o awesome !

[@rhondah1587]

All religious institutions should only be supported by their congragants, not the taxpayer. If their congragants cannot support the religious institution, then it should fail and close its doors. That is the deal for them being totally unaccountable to the IRS.

[@YY4Me133]

I hate to repeat a comment, but I think this one merits it. Exempting churches from paying tax violates separation of church and state: _"Strongly guarded as is the separation between Religion & Govt in the Constitution of the United States the danger of encroachment by Ecclesiastical Bodies, may be illustrated by precedents already furnished in their short history._ (See the cases in which negatives were put by J. M. on two bills passd by Congs and his signature withheld from another. See also attempt _in Kentucky for example, where it was proposed to exempt Houses of Worship from taxes."_ - James Madison, Detached Memoranda [emphasis added] - - press-pubs.uchicago.edu/founders/documents/amendI_religions64.html

[@patriciaparker2895]

Thanks for explaining about the stimulus package. I was a little confused. Now I understand it better.

[@benetton66]

Interesting the all powerful,knowing,richest being needs money from the government.

[@florendarivera7390]

In most places, a church service can be done at home as a family based activity, headed by the father as the one tasked to be the religious leader.

[@teresaamanfu7408]

Thank you 😊

[@jasoncarpp7742]

That's another thing that bothers me. While most of us are required to stay away from crowds, churches seem to be exempt from such practices. Why is that? Particularly when they know their own health is at stake?

[@misael524]

Because politicians don't want to lose those votes.

[@bigdude8468]

This whole problem arises from religious organizations being tax exempt, to begin with. That IS essentially government subsidizing religion. If a religious organization wants to do actual charitable work, separate from their religion, like feeding the poor or housing the homeless, etc., they can, like anyone else, form an organization for that specific purpose. If not, they have the same reason to pay taxes as everyone else: they benefit from the protection of law enforcement, the military, and fire department. They as much as anyone else, benefit from infrastructure and other public works, etc., all while enriching televangelists that con poor old ladies out of their money to buy private jets & multimillion dollar homes, etc., or enable pedophile priests to escape justice & continue abusing children, denying science to the destruction of the planet, & spreading hate, among the many other objectionable practices that they tend to support.

[@shannencanzanella3687]

If they do this then the books should be viewable!!

[@comeasyouare4545]

I don't see it as promoting religion, but maintaining it. They are in fact businesses that still have to pay their debts, except taxes. I think the problem here is exempting them from the gathering ban. Which is where they derive their income. If they close their doors I see no reason that they shouldn't receive help, but if they leave them open they shouldn't receive it. This is my secular viewpoint

[@sabin1166]

The coronavirus goes to church, to praise Jesus.

[@fludeball]

As an atheist who works as a church music director for my primary job, I’m just glad I’m collecting my salary so I can stay in my gilded cage during COVID. 👹

[@titochdry1150]

Muddy water is where the 🌞 Sun sets ' till morning.

[@andreadiamond7115]

Do you have a petition against churches getting relief money?

[@Spolt_main]

Please talk about the trump having an Easter celebration and having verses read from the bible live on tv

[@karlrschneider]

It's one of the few things he does/did that pisses me off enormously.

[@doneestoner9945]

Dont forget the National Day of Prayer.

[@JR954]

I would think churches and pastors are essential if they can plead with their man in the sky to stop the Coronavirus and cure all COVID 19 and they get a yes.

[@moldylasagnaKD9YMA]

Ok this is not an atheist question, but a constitutional question. Boris Johnson was born in new York in 1964. Can he run in 2020 for potus? Would be a hoot.

[@pricklypear7516]

No. He renounced his US citizenship in 2017.

[@karlaboerger3619]

At less friendly Atheist saw him before he died.

[@harmonicamanrandy]

Isn't "religious freedom" an oxymoron?

[@freedapeeple4049]

Hence the name of their organization: Freedom FROM Religion

[@StaticBlaster]

An all-powerful man in the sky would understand the situation and would want you to stay home to avoid getting other people sick. Otherwise, he's no good.

[@gin1740]

and they only have to deliver after your dead! they are business and should be paying taxes!

[@TheEyez187]

Of course churches don't want to stop gatherings; you can't pass a collection plate around a skype chatroom! Can't help but cringe thinking about holy water font contents or the communion chalice rim, even B.C. (before Covid), but especially now!