It's Christian priviledge, don'tcha know (creation, America, church, pray)

[Bright-ness' Shadow]

http://atheism.about.com/b/a/245044.htm?nl=1 Mathew Staver's Liberty Counsel pretends to be concerned with religious freedom, as opposed to fund-raising and the creation of faux outrage over non-existent problems. Their true interest appears to be to establish legal and social privileges for Christians and this is demonstrated by their opposition to religious equality for Wiccans in Florida.

Jennifer Emick points to an article in The Ledger. The case is simple: Florida exempts Bibles from sales tax, but not Wiccan books, so Wiccans are suing to end the special tax exemption that privileges Christian religious books over other religions’ books. The Liberty Counsel opposes the effort to achieve equality

http://worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp%3FARTICLE%5FID=48776 WorldNewDaily Liberty Counsel’s president and general counsel, Mathew D. Staver, contends the Wiccans are trying to “collapse the entire house on itself by seeking to eliminate all sales tax exemptions on Bibles and religious publications.”

The state law is constitutional, he insisted. “Even if Florida’s law were questionable under one of the Supreme Court’s fractured prior opinions, which it is not, any attempt to tax religion will not be met with enthusiasm by a majority of the justices on the Supreme Court,” Staver said.

“In case the Wiccans haven’t been paying attention lately,” he added, “they should realize the times have changed. We have a new court.”

Actually,

http://atheism.about.com/b/a/245044.htm?nl=1 It is implausible that the Florida legislature would allow Christian materials to be taxed, so if the current policies are struck down it is likely that lawmakers would act to create a new law that would survive constitutional challenge. Such a law would have be broadly worded and cover all religions, not single out certain religions for special, privileged treatment. This is why the Wiccan tactic appears to be correct: rather than simply thinking of themselves and trying to get themselves included with privileged groups, they are trying to overturn an unjust law so that it might be replaced with a just law. In other words, they are thinking about protecting religious liberty generally, not just liberty for themselves.

Such an attitude can be contrasted with the attitude of Matthew Staver and his Liberty Counsel, where there appears to be little concern with anyone but themselves, their bottom line, and the interests of like-minded Christians.

Priviledge is, of course, the holding of rights denied to others. Some would call that discrimination or even bigotry. But, after all, in Liberty Councils mind "It's only Wiccans". I'll be kind though and we can just discuss "priviledge". Either remove the tax for all or tax the Christian material. Everybody should enjoy the same "priviledges", right?

[Majikthise]

Yet another reason for me to like Wiccans.

Thanks pah!

[Revasser]

I agree. Tax everyone or tax no one.

I'm not an American, but isn't it a First Ammendment breach to do otherwise?

[Seyorni]

Are only bibles exempted from tax? If so, it seems like a well-funded class action suit could be brought by a coalition of all the state's non-Christian groups.

[MidnightBlue]

“In case the Wiccans haven’t been paying attention lately,” he added, “they should realize the times have changed. We have a new court.”

That's the supreme arrogance of fundamentalists: We're in power now; we can do as we please.

I'm not pleased with -- or confident in -- Shrub's appointments to the Supreme Court, but I think the fundies may be in for a surprise.

[Majikthise]

Originally Posted by MidnightBlue

“In case the Wiccans haven’t been paying attention lately,” he added, “they should realize the times have changed. We have a new court.”

That's the supreme arrogance of fundamentalists: We're in power now; we can do as we please.

I'm not pleased with -- or confident in -- Shrub's appointments to the Supreme Court, but I think the fundies may be in for a surprise.

Agreed.

[Bright-ness' Shadow]

12A-1.001 Specific Exemptions [from Florida sales tax].

[(2) BIBLES.]

[(a) Bibles, hymn books, prayer books and religious

publications similar thereto, altar paraphernalia, sacramental

chalices, and like church service and ceremonial raiment and

equipment are exempt. (See Rule 12A-1.008(11), F.S., for sale or

purchase of religious publications.)]

[(b) Christian Science reading rooms are allowed to sell

Bible and religious publications and literature tax exempt.]

[(c) A book of sermons does not fall within the specific

exemptions provided under Rule 12A-1.001 and the sale thereof is

taxable.]

http://taxlaw.state.fl.us/search_out...D%0A&files=all

[jeffrey]

This could be interesting too! Pah, keep us posted.

[Feathers in Hair]

Arrrrrggghhhhh.... *looks for the head-bashing icon*