Hard News by Russell Brown

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Hard News: Bishop Brian: It's worse than you think

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  • Susannah Shepherd, in reply to Rob Stowell,

    Putting it another way: would you think it ok if the Battersea Dog's Home or the NZ Govt hired you on the basis of your willingness to give them back 10% of your gross pay?

    Not really, particularly if it were the government... But the original point was about whether it was OK for Destiny to make some profit out of a government contract, not whether they are exploiting their members. The answer is still yes (to both). If Destiny members are dumb enough to pay thousands each to keep the bish in hair gel, suits and McMansions and are doing it willingly, that's not the contracting organisation's problem.

    It could only be an issue for the government as contracting agency if there's evidence the staff are being coerced to pay tithes in return for a job, but my assumption is that if they've chosen to join Destiny, they've pretty much signed up to hand over their cash regardless of where they work.

    Your scenario is an employment issue between employer and employee, and I'd be very surprised if Destiny is the only third-party provider of government services (religious charity, iwi organisation, family business etc.) that preferentially employs its own. And I'll bet some of those other religious organisations also expect tithing, although the level of social pressure might be somewhat lower.

    Wellington • Since Jan 2008 • 58 posts Report Reply

  • Craig Ranapia, in reply to Susannah Shepherd,

    I do recall telling the truth being quite high on the list of stuff good Christians were supposed to do.

    And more to the point, I suspect most faith-based or church affiliated social service contractors are scrupulous about their legal obligations and survive being audited up the wazoo -- as they should.

    North Shore, Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 12370 posts Report Reply

  • Peter grower,

    I tend to think Destiny church are a cult.

    Brian Tamaki is a ‘god appointed bishop’?.

    God told him to start a church and be the bishop?.

    Cult spotters basic 101 – A leader who has a direct line to ‘god’ ……… what else is god going to tell them ????? …… it always seems to lead to trouble.

    I don’t have much to do with the salvation army but it seems they do reach down and help the hopelessly fucked amongst us. I’ve often thought they, the various ‘city missions’ and others who help feed and shelter our community’s lost causes should be financially supported by an increase in the excise tax on the drug piss …… which is a direct cause of so much of their work.

    Christians like most religious people do seem overly judgmental tho ….

    But then how else do they differentiate between we damned ones and gods happy clappers? …

    Since Dec 2006 • 30 posts Report Reply

  • andin, in reply to recordari,

    "We work in secret, we exist in shadow. And we dress in black."

    Sorta like Will Smiths songwriting “team” on it. Yeah awright Im taking a cheap shot. Who gives a fuck about god when there is funk like this around to be recycled endlessly with new lyrics. You go Will. Just dance folks.

    raglan • Since Mar 2007 • 1891 posts Report Reply

  • Alex Coleman,

    While flicking past tv3 this AM, saw the Bish correcting what some "commentators" had said with regard to what God told Moses. The commentator was an OT author.

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 247 posts Report Reply

  • giovanni tiso, in reply to Peter grower,

    Cult spotters basic 101 – A leader who has a direct line to ‘god’

    Like the Pope?

    Wellington • Since Jun 2007 • 7473 posts Report Reply

  • recordari, in reply to andin,

    The URL contained a malformed video ID.
    Sorry about that.

    You mean this?

    Harder to relate to Density though. Love that bassline, and used to love dancing to this also.

    Like the Pope?

    Apparently the Dalai Lama thinks that's not our problem.

    "God exists or God does not exist. Leave it for us. Your task is to learn how to live peacefully."

    AUCKLAND • Since Dec 2009 • 2607 posts Report Reply

  • bmk, in reply to Peter grower,

    I tend to think Destiny church are a cult.

    To me the only difference between a cult and a religion is the number of believers.

    Since Jun 2010 • 327 posts Report Reply

  • nzlemming, in reply to bmk,

    Religions start out as cults.

    Waikanae • Since Nov 2006 • 2937 posts Report Reply

  • Susannah Shepherd, in reply to Craig Ranapia,

    And more to the point, I suspect most faith-based or church affiliated social service contractors are scrupulous about their legal obligations and survive being audited up the wazoo -- as they should.

    Yes, I think that's likely.

    I haven't worked on the issues for the community and voluntary sector for many years now, but certainly back in the mid '00s I know there was plenty of disgruntlement in the sector because the staffing component of any contract was always way less that it would have cost the government in payroll to do the job itself.

    Even if these service providers are turning modest profits, I doubt many are making big bucks out of it. That's the territory of consultants...

    Wellington • Since Jan 2008 • 58 posts Report Reply

  • bmk, in reply to nzlemming,

    Religions start out as cults.

    Exactly and once the cult has enough followers they become a religion and have all these rights that cults don't have. IMO they should be treated equally.

    Since Jun 2010 • 327 posts Report Reply

  • andin, in reply to recordari,

    You mean this?

    damn my incompetence.... yes

    raglan • Since Mar 2007 • 1891 posts Report Reply

  • Kumara Republic,

    And Holmes has just pulled a Lhaws. What's next, coloured triangles?

    (Hat tip to the Dimpost.)

    The southernmost capital … • Since Nov 2006 • 5446 posts Report Reply

  • recordari, in reply to Kumara Republic,

    Holmes has just pulled a Lhaws.

    Jesus H Christ!

    If he is somehow the voice of a section of society, then we need to sanctify a God pronto so they can help us all.

    AUCKLAND • Since Dec 2009 • 2607 posts Report Reply

  • andin, in reply to recordari,

    sanctify a God

    EH?
    Thats bound to lead to more trouble than its worth.
    Little druggie Paul has been on this journey from wild youth to senile old duffer for a while now. Pity is, the endpart will be public and done in private, amongst the olives. I think he lost something along the way. Decorum?Sanity? something like that....

    raglan • Since Mar 2007 • 1891 posts Report Reply

  • recordari, in reply to andin,

    Thats bound to lead to more trouble than its worth.

    You're so literal. I believe I was being facetious. But I'll keep practising until I get it down Pâté.

    AUCKLAND • Since Dec 2009 • 2607 posts Report Reply

  • andin, in reply to recordari,

    You're so literal

    Only when it comes to imaginary figures.
    And I hope your not causing suffering to geese in your culinary adventures.
    Whoops, I was being literal again.

    raglan • Since Mar 2007 • 1891 posts Report Reply

  • recordari, in reply to andin,

    And I hope your not causing suffering to geese in your culinary adventures.

    No more than they deserve. Filthy little vermin.

    <still being facetious - mostly>

    AUCKLAND • Since Dec 2009 • 2607 posts Report Reply

  • Alex Coleman,

    Dave Armstrong knocks it out of the park in today's DomPost...

    Harley! Harley! Harley-lujah!

    Wins.

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 247 posts Report Reply

  • Sacha, in reply to Alex Coleman,

    Dave Armstrong knocks it out of the park in today's DomPost

    Brilliant - smart and funny.

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report Reply

  • Sacha, in reply to Kumara Republic,

    And Holmes has just pulled a Lhaws

    Salient point in the comments - why doesn't the blathering narcissist take a look in the mirror before he goes on about poor parenting?

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report Reply

  • Ian Dalziel,

    Still, the Black Panthers did the
    same salute I guess.

    The Black Panthers had arguably better social programmes - Breakfasts for Children, alleviation of poverty, etc...
    Destiny are barely making a fist of it...

    Christchurch • Since Dec 2006 • 7953 posts Report Reply

  • recordari, in reply to Sacha,

    Brilliant - smart and funny.

    +1

    AUCKLAND • Since Dec 2009 • 2607 posts Report Reply

  • Peter grower,

    The pope Giovanni ..................... is the anti-christ ....... thats the word from the seventh day adventists.

    And good christian folk like that would'nt lie.

    They are all cultish.

    But then again they do seem to fill a need for some people.

    Some flaw in human nature seems to leave people suceptible to this kind of exploitive nonsense.

    Since Dec 2006 • 30 posts Report Reply

  • Sacha,

    Off-topic, but Steve Braunias has an entertaining crack at political slash-fic set at Paul Henry's bach and featuring a confused Darren Hughes and a visitor to Hawkes Bay.

    "Lick it all up," she said.

    "Mmmmm," I said.

    She put the spoon in her own mouth, and sucked it.

    The curtains were parted. I could see moonlight on the black sea. Paul played a Simply Red CD in the lounge. Inbetween the songs, I heard the surf crash, and run its fingers along the sand.

    "If you don't know me by now," Mick Hucknall sang.

    "What we're doing is wrong," I said.

    "I'm over 18," she said.

    "But you're a woman," I said.

    "And you're a man," she said.

    "You will never, ever know me," Mick Hucknall sang.

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report Reply

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