Why Do Some Megachurch Pastors Not Have To Pay Property Taxes?
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- čas přidán 5. 03. 2024
- Some of America's biggest megachurch pastors live in glamorous multimillion-dollar mansions in stunning locations. Louisiana televangelist Jesse Duplantis lives in a mega-mansion outside New Orleans. He has said the home cost about $20,000,000 to build. However, records from last year show neither Duplantis nor his church paid a single cent in taxes on this property. Critics, like Pete Evans of the televangelist watchdog group Trinity Foundations, say these preachers are using a legal way to avoid paying property taxes on their pricey homes. Inside Edition’s Lisa Guerrero has more.
Funny how a pastor can ask for your money to solve his church problems but advise you to pray to solve yours
There's nothing funny about crooked churches and pastors.
Socialism for the rich but capitalism for the poor .
You make a good point.
Because if you give your money to the poor you can’t give it to them wolf in sheep’s clothing
ITS HARD TO FIND A “HOLY” CHURCH NOWADAYS
To boast their homes during their church services is insane.
just as insane as the people attending his speeches and then donating afterwards 🤯
To believe in Jesus Christ is insane!
@@charmanderdefender9247 personally idc what other people believe in, you shouldn’t either
@@charmanderdefender9247 to believe he is God you mean? Because it's not really debated whether or not he existed it's historical fact in multiple records.
@@R0DSTERthat emoji about sums it up lol
My dad was a pastor and NEVER got rich. He kept the money in the church and he worked as a painter and was good at installing wallpaper. He lived on a ladder during the week and spent his weekends visiting members that were ill. These pastors should be ashamed of themselves
True ❤
Snake oil salesmen should be ashamed of themselves regardless of how much snake oil they successfully sell.
1:55 Jason Fishburn is no different/better than any of the megachurch pastors.
According to Jesus Christ, every professional pastor is a hireling/thief/robber/liar.
@@calvinhoward3808 Pastors living a modest life shouldn't bother you
most people seek religion for material gain more often than not. Your Dad was a real Martyr, its a shame more don't take this ideal to heart.
It’s one thing to cheat man , but to cheat man in the name of God is wild .
As a Christian watching this, it is so stomach churning that these mega pastors drag Christ’s name in the mud like this
As my mother says, "The devil is alive and well."
ITS HARD TO FIND A “HOLY” CHURCH NOWADAYS
And what is vatican city?
They don’t. I didn’t go to a mega church growing up but there were still liars, hypocrites and thieves. It’s all the same. Some just have more $
Then get out the slave system. You've been Duke buddy.
Scammers going after the poorest and the dumbest.
Well it's not a scam if they make their own books and CDs/dvds and people buy them. No one is forcing you to buy that preachers books or audio. I understand why they would need to stay in nicer more secure neighborhoods being that big of preachers. But they don't need mansions that big. Could have just built a regular house in the neighborhood not a mansion. And hire security
No, they just go after the dumbest.
@@Marbies3 😂😂 And gullible.
YES
@@ravenc4912 it's still a scam, using the word of God to fund their extravagant lifestyle
That man living humble and uses his home to conduct church and his kitchen to feed people.. much respect.. those rich "preachers" tho...smh
this is actually disgusting
Dang, I wanted to the first person to this.
@@milesjohnson5487 would you have used the word "actually" also?
The bad thing is, if Jesus walked up to the front door and asked for a drink of water he would probably be asked to leave
its not probably, defiantly
@@dawncollier742*definitely
Yep I knew it. if Jesus does get turned away God will know as well.
He wouldn't be able to enter the gate. They live a mile beyond the gate.
Facts
i love how the Pastor belittles the people that pay his bills.
so humble of him.
Of course, he has to belittle to mindless for being so dumb to give their money . He’s laughing in their face.
@@Webbit people often talk about the Anti Christ as if they're supposed to be a singular being lmfao.
As a business owner, I now need to figure out how to own a church.
It's not difficult to set up. The problem is at the core of your soul, would you be comfortable and feel good about doing it?
@@Philflashoh je crois qu'il
sera capable de bien dormir et il n'est pas le seul.
It’s not tough. Just follow the laws in your state.
amen
A lot of cults started out this way. It is amazing to see how many religions were actually made by business people, one of them kundalini. People think it's some ancient religion when it was made in the 60s and now you have Hollywood and silicon valley believing this stuff that turned out to be a business idea. Can't blame so many for getting dragged into cults. Anyway, as a former atheist myself, I'm blessed to finally have been rescued by Jesus.
So the next time a preacher ask you for a donation think about it
Legit Question, why do people need preachers?
@@RobGradyVOBetter question- why do we need religion?
How do they still have followers when they show their clear greed?
As disgusted as it makes me, it is still a voluntary exchange. If a grown adult wants to give their kids' lunch money to someone they KNOW is buying large houses with it, not much can be done.
@@user-dw1ls3rp1lthe question is how they don’t see that they’re being used. Denial maybe? It’s like a cult there
Brainwashed. 😂
Willful ignorance and blind devotion
I don’t know. We can see through them.
The NERVE of the first pastor to arrogantly claim he is financially independent is an outright lie. He is literally dependent upon donations from people he scams at his church and online. This tax exempt status for Scientology and mega churches needs to be revoked. It's gone too far.
Joel Osteen wrote several NYT bestsellars
Jessie Duplantis owns several businesses that have nothing to do with his ministry.
Kenneth Copeland owns cattle.
Soooo.... your statement isn't entirely accurate
scam is the wrong word here, the term would be "falsely lead"
He probably became financially independent after becoming rich from scamming. Not that hard with his influence, insider trading, investments
i mean i think financially independent means you aren't like a child. The same logic could be said for everything revolving sales, tips, and many others.
You do realize that Joel Osteen has written several NYT best sellers?
20m and you built it right on the road? Interesting.
I miss the pastors from the old days when they were not materialistic. Pastors lived in the neighborhood with church members
The kind of pastor who lives poorly is the only one to follow
@@BeeHatGuywhere did you get this idea that living poor is a badge of honor?
That’s disgusting.
Yup👀🇺🇸🐍
Aye, it is.
Yeah and no one cares.
Hey you live in gods country.. don’t hate.. just get back to work and pay your taxes
There's nothing wrong with great wealth as long as it's truly coming from God and not out of their own greed and stinginess. What matters most is the hearts intention.
Nobody is to blame but the congregation handing over their money.
Yup, you just want to shake them to wake them up. That Kenneth Copeland guy looks like the devil to me. Why don't they see it?
To even ask is atrocious.
A lot of people actually want to see the world become better and that’s what they think they’re doing whenever they give their church their dollars. I don’t blame them for trying to be helpful at all. Obviously most churches don’t just blatantly say, yes we’re taking this money for personal gain also. Lol.
No the congregation is just being obedient to God like the Bible says so. The problem is the church or the preacher isn't using the funds for the good of the people instead they're being greedy and buying those homes. The Bible says that it's harder for a rich man to get into heaven then a camel to go through the eye of a needle so then being preachers they should know that and also boasting about it is a sin they should know that so they'll have to answer to God for what they're doing and the congregation that's doing the right thing will be blessed for what they're doing
@@emilyheather328
They could give their 10% to charity work and really make a difference
Yep 100% correct
As a pastors kid who lives in a church parsonage , I can tell u it isn’t lavish. It’s a normal house that’s typically a bit run down.
i am so sorry to anyone who has lost their faith in the possibility of a higher being because of these gross extortions. to all of my friends, don’t give up in your fight of faith. someone is here for you
Yeah that’s not even the tip of the iceberg. Religion in any form is the reason why millions and millions have have died and no one truly knows if religion is even real yet.
The property tax exemption should be capped at a house worth 500,000 and under. otherwise that’s hurting the community.😢
Nobody should have to pay probably tax or tax on any item they buy, only 10 percent of their income
@@noahpickerill3749it was always supposed to be 2% and nothing more
Yes, property tax needs to go away. Paying tax on the same item repeatedly is just theft.
There's also no reason that religious enterprises should be exempt from paying tax.
church's should pay taxes just like the rest of us. the mormon church is one of the wealthiest organizations in the world & a HUGE land owner.
unless its a group home of pastors, then it should be a exempted
Just imagine the number of homeless and impoverished people that this could help, house, and feed.
That’s not the job of the church though. Those people paid to have themselves blessed. Theyre not worried about the less fortunate. Certainly they’re not, if they aren’t concerned that their pastors live like Kardashians.
Send in the immigrants!!
It's no different than the politicians. Money comes from the same place. Then people re-elect them over & over. They ignore the homeless, vets, hungry kids. They're worse, actually, bc they're in that job to help those very people, and they commit crimes in office, like insider trading, using taxpayer money for personal vacations & other luxuries. Taking bribes for favors. They sure don't pay taxes on their gains.
Everyone sees it, but still people vote for them! Nobody voting these crooks in again & again has room to criticize the church goers who keep handing money to these preachers.
@@spinflux That's definitely the job of the church tho. A pastor job is not just about preaching and praying for persons. They should walk in the way of the Lord and help people not take from them.
Corruption flat out
Nobody should be exempt from taxes!
"It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a preacher with a private jet to enter the kingdom of God."
😂
which verse is this again? lol
@@IhaveaDoghouse
The op changed the verse.
Mathew 19:24
“And again I say unto you, It is easier for a
camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.”
AMEN.
@@thetruthtrumpsallliesfromt4399 Yes I know they changed it, thanks for the actual verse. I knew it was from one of the gospels.
They're all grifting POS
They're all Maga too and they preach that Trump is God's chosen one.
Many pastors also write & sell their books, they sell merchandise, they write music, speak for businesses, or provide services for businesses.
I understand helping the church with the tax exemption to help their pastor, but there should be a limit on the SQ FT that is allowed and after that limit tax just like every else
Kudos to the pastor and his family for living within their means and helping people!
What
1:55 Jason Fishburn is no different/better than any of the megachurch pastors.
According to the words that Jesus Christ is quoted as saying, every professional pastor is a hireling/thief/robber/liar.
@@damoneboyd9945 Watch the video
calls it 'his house' yet church owns it
Yup, that should result in revoked tax free status right there.
Legally it’s a parsonage. So it’s not really his.
Interesting. Good reporting.
I am fed up with these type of pastors.
I wouldn’t give these guys one cent.
You wouldn't but other dumb people will.
@@Phillipnoogen I liked how by saying "other dumb people" you implied that Austin was simply a different sort of dumb ;) Aren't we all. I personally spent way too much on my tractor ;)
Cause you don’t have a cent to give
@nickpasolini4959 no because it's stupid to give these people your hard earned money
Is not about faith, is about business for them.
The pastor from the movie "Don't be a menace" is like don't aaaaask🎶
This is GREAT reporting! Thank you.
Let's face it...organized religion is a money making machine. 🔥🔥🔥
It's all nonsense.
God doesn't require you to have a religion. God requires faith, but there's no money in that so MAN created religion.
Always has been. Scamming machine for the ignorant, naive and gullible.
@@sdigf3167colleges and universities don't pay taxes either. We need to go after them first!
@@JOEL00111No, going after these nasty money hungry pastors should go first. 🧐
Pastor here. This is shameful. The evil of the “prosperity gospel” has to end. These false teachers prey on weak minded people who will not read the Bible for themselves.
Don’t you yourself read the Bible and see what it says on the matter? Book of revelation in prophetic and symbolic language speaks of the great harlot ( false religions) that will be destroyed by the beasts she rides or influences (political system) she will be stripped off her enormous wealth and will be burned. Notice the colors described as scarlet-Symbolizing bloodshed. Yes God will condemn religious organizations during the tribulation. God will use men to carry this out for he will put it in their hearts to hate her and make her desolate. Churches will be burned destroyed, millions will likely die in trying to defend their religious freedoms. The Bible also makes this warning. Flee Babylon that you may escape her judgment.
It won’t end.
As a Christian I don’t follow the institution of the Church. I follow Jesus Christ.
This isn’t just about greed. It’s about exploiting vulnerable people for personal gain.
He actually looked up the size of all the other Megachurch Preachers' Houses to make that claim. Wow.
As a christian, I do not claim any of these cult leaders! They’re all going against God’s words by tarnishing Christianity to the point everyone else think we’re the bad guys just because of these cults that tarnish the word of God
I've never met or seen any pastor who was different just a difference in size and scope but same scheme
Matthew 8:20 But Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens to live in, and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place even to lay his head.”
its not just these pastors but many of you Christians
You're absolutely right
@@miguelhackett4352really? The catholic church is the biggest charitable organization in the world. 😂
Good work here
"Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full"
When a pastor slams the door on a reporter over a tough question. You know he’s guilty of something. Too many weak minded people out there who fall prey to this kind of stuff. They can’t tell what’s reality or fantasy.
Funny thing is that question wasn't even tough. Just say yes or no but I guess it would expose them as frauds
So the pastor gets to live in the mega mansion that the church paid for but the people who funded can’t?
That's a false teacher preaching against the Bible.
What a sad reality.
At least the church people give willingly, & know exactly what they're giving for. Politicians do this with taxes we're forced to pay, and lie about what the moneys for. Then people re-elect them, while they talk about the naive churchgoers .
I’m a Christian and this makes me sick !!!
Property taxes or not, where do they get the money to buy a 20 million dollar home?
Ah the greedy people who profit off the religious beliefs of others and manipulate them into giving them a rich lifestyle.
errr bro that's been the chuch's MO since the records began
@@R0DSTERnot all.
@@robertdowns9534 Not all churches obviously, but churches scamming people out of their money is nothing new
@@robertdowns9534 Most.
Just like politicians!
Scammers and thieves.
All of them!!!
cried more about it
Without a doubt
So the house belongs to the church not to those pastors, that is why they pass those churches to their kids and so forth!
0:45 yea that was for sure a plantation back in the day haha
TAX THE CHURCH!! 😡😡😤😤🤬🤬 This is some BULL 💩😡😡
Agreed.
Yep agreed
The first amendment states a separation of state and church and grifters take full advantage of that.
Absolutely. The religious exemptions need to be removed entirely.
Exactly all the tithes and offerings they getting
should have the same rule as the UK, its only a vicarage or parsonage if attached to or in the grounds of a church/house of worship.
You could add a chapel in a Mansion, it's got to be off assessed value
I saw one recently. Looking at a cheap property for sale. Not really interested anymore because it seems like a rough area with poor planning. Noticed though this crazy gated mansion at the end of the street that sticks out like nothing I’ve seen. They have these two large marble statues of lions by the gates and then there’s a church right next door with the same lions so I can make assumptions. Weird to me that the church is directly next door, but separated by a big metal fence. Also the church wasn’t even impressive looking at all. Like it was just a small square brick building.
Large enough estates would have their own churches on them anyway. They'd find a way to raise themselves up to think they're "holier than thou".
Yep...that's why religion is declining so much in the UK (with the obvious exception). No real power or money in it anymore.
Money is the root of all evil.
One of my favorite beefs of all time Inside Edition and Mega Church Pastors
And I thought greed was a sin?
It is. Jesus in Luke 12:15 - “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.”
Mathew 6:19 - “You cannot serve both God and money.”
Falsifying their beliefs to achieve a lavish lifestyle off the benefit of others
Who can say if a belief is false? That's the grift. Until we can prove or disprove a deity/afterlife in a court of law, there will always be dingbats like these around.
I go to church but never donate I’m not mentally challenged I know where the money goes.
Yep. You don't have to give either. But places like this, they make you feel guilty if you don't give.
So why do you go at all? If you think they're crooked,why do you go? 🤔
Can’t let the shame get to you when it’s literally going to their pockets.
Exemptions like empty churches never used again while other smaller churches who do aren't as fortunate for this tax exemption you select few abuse. Very unfortunate
Your donations went to their pockets.
“The reason why Jesus hasn’t showed up is because y’all hadn’t donated for my new yacht!”
In my state ( which is wealthier NE state) 39% of families can not make ends meet. This country is out of control! Corporations making billions in profits, CEO’s making millions a year, pastors not paying taxes and living lavishly. All while people on Social Security live on $900 a month. Something needs to change soon!
About Time
Dont ask no questions! I say dont ask, I say dont aaaassk..... no questions!! Just give the money. 😂
Maybe put a limit somehow that it works for homes under 1M$
Under $400k.
If they did that the politician in office would never be elected again. Religious people have a lot of donor money and influence
It would be nice if there was a cap on the value of the property that’s exempt from taxes but we all know the churches would end up with the bill, not these sanctimonious men of god.
Lol that’s too logical
Property taxes suck they want like 2300 on this 2 acre property for what every year
They should have a clause that limits the amount to the states median home price and says you must host church events and people for at least 100 days per year or you pay taxes on it.
Hypocrite pastors stealing from poor church members to become extremely rich with no consequences. Lock them up!!!
Not so they willingly give their hard earned cash away !
Unfortunately there’s no charge
My thoughts exactly
That’s so disgusting. God knows what they’re doing and he see’s everything. What’s done in the dark will always come to the light and when God comes for us and we all stand in front of him to be judged. These “pastors” will have nobody and nothing to help them. They’ll have to answer for everything they have done on this earth. God knows.
Sure, because A god who creates evil is mad when evil happens. Right. Keep telling yourself that. 🙄
God doesn't. That's how these monster got away with your tithes
@@sdigf3167I know we live in a fallen world. But God is still real.
@@maness7772 So you think your god is a screw up? Why in the world would you follow a god that can't even create good things? I mean really. He is supposed to be all knowing and powerful, yet he is on his THIRD do over.
@@sdigf3167 and he can't he follow his own laws....thou shalt not kill
that was funny when you found the guy in the parking lot. good work!
Church’s have ALWAYS been tax exempt in the USA. A pastors residence is church property, the pastor isn’t on the deed.
"my house". I mean, if I was a lawyer for the county, I'd probably use that in my court case.
No way bro is flexing during the sermon 💀
Unreal ..
This is insane!
That 20 million dollar mansion has more windows than a highway motel 😂
Bunch of scammers asking money but never pays from their pocket!
A real man of GOD would not live like this, we must humble ourselves.
There should be a cap on the amount of money a preachers house. If the members aren’t living that well, neither should the pastor😊
The exemption should be up to the median price of a home in the zip code the church is located and they pay on anything above that.
A "parsonage" is meant to be connected to the church building physically, or at least be on the same property. Require this to be, and I bet the grifters recoil at the idea of actually sharing space with their marks. They need their ivory towers to feel special. In the end, these grifters will sleep in the same dirt and be eaten by the same worms as the rest of us.
I understand your comment, but that is not always doable depending on the location of the church. Also, as a pastor who once lived in a parsonage on church property, it reduced the respite my family was able to have from time to time. While we open our home, our home is also our downtime, and being on the same property greatly reduces that respite. I am not a fan of the parsonage concept to begin with. One of the reasons I applied at the church where I serve is because they did not list a parsonage in the job description. I want to own my home and build equity in it myself. My home is not owned by the church nor it is listed as a parsonage, and it is something I pay property taxes on each year.
It’s a scam
wow really fr?
If a large number of people decide they want to give their money to one pastor they can do that, i mean, if people prefer one product over another they have the option to buy as much of that product as they want. If a pastor is really good at their job they will get more money than other pastors, i get the issue here?
I have a specific day for this video
Church has become a business...point...blank...PERIOD!
Always was.
I can’t believe people still go to these mega churches to hear them brag about how big their house is.
Seriously, it's not real Christianity at all dude. I love my normal sized church😢. GATEWAY in South Lake TX. was an amazing mega church i went to for a while. Robert Morris is an amazing and down to earth pastor. GATEWAY isn't like other mega churches.
Id be offended to by what he said
The problem is not those pastors but those who keep on giving to these ppl and making them rich. I used to go to church like this, always asking to give and give. I searched for answers and God provided to me.
😂😂😂 that last part
It’s funny they didn’t bring up Joel Osteen.
Joel pays property taxes on his home.
He probably knew they were going to do this before hand and had his team reach out to ensure he’s not in it. Joel is wicked famous. Someone probably told him before hand.
Maybe he doesn't claim his home as "part of the church"
He pays taxes on his house. He's literally not eligible to be part of this story.@@AC-es7uu
How about not paying any taxes? Such scammers.
When your pastor has enough money to change the world but keeps it for himself is no man of god.
it's amazing how church goes blindly give money to these scammers
You know that family living a modest life gives me a great idea, they said they try to help anyone in crisis with housing...I think those billionaires should do the same! With all that space they have, they can help a lot of people!
"Biggest homeless shelter in Louisiana" has a nice ring to it, I agree...
It’s a mansion,not a damn parsonage! 🤢
Predatory greed at its best.
forget the 50k in property taxes not collected they really got 10m+ homes from church goers I need to move to that neighborhood
Kudos to Inside Edition for showing a genuine pastor to contrast the fake ones.
This makes absolutely no sense, it happens in front of everyone's faces and no one does anything about it 😢
Should interview attendants of the church and seeing how they justify giving them money
Welp, looks like I'm going to be a pastor🤷♀️
Definitely looking into this rn👍
Yea for real 😆
i identify as a pastor
I'll attend your church and give you all my money.
I think you need like just a few people to create one. I’ve thought about it tbh. We can be each others members and then have our own”parsonages” in different states to “spread or faith” 🤔🤣
I’ll be your security team director head 😁😁😁😁