Florida church loses tax-exempt status over raunchy ‘wet-n-wild’ spring break ‘twerking’ parties

[cbayer]

http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2015/03/florida-church-loses-tax-exempt-status-over-raunchy-wet-n-wild-spring-break-twerking-parties/

TRAVIS GETTYS
12 MAR 2015 AT 11:18 ET


Woman DJ wearing bikini in nihgtclub (Shutterstock)

A Florida church lost its tax-exempt status after hosting nude parties and slumber parties featuring the “sexiest ladies on the beach.”

The Life Center: A Spiritual Community had been operating a party schedule as Amnesia: The Tabernacle seven days a week since Feb. 28, reported the Panama City News Herald.

Police began investigating the church after it placed ATMs and a banner outside and determined its activities were a “blatant slap in the face” to taxpayers.

The church, which is owned by Markus Q. Bishop, advertises that its events are drug- and alcohol-free, and promoters say it’s a church by day and youth ministry by night.

more at link

[Trillo]

1. Go to hell or lets have some fun?

This church surely seems much more loving of life than telling parishioners they're going to hell because because. I think this guy made a mistake in lying about the donation.

In typical churches, they pass a collection plate, and folks undoubtedly feel some pressure to donate something, but I don't think an amount is specified and I don't believe it's mandatory. In typical churches, hatred of various things, i.e., zero tolerance, is central to the theology. It's even mentioned in the article, supposed to fear god.

Which is worthy of tax free status? Preaching fear and loathing, or dancing?

[cbayer]

2. While I think there are churches like you describe, I can't agree that they are "typical".

There is a wide range of churches, from those were certain kinds of hatred are fundamental to those with extremely progressive social agendas.

[Trillo]

4. "Dancing around fire" is a long practiced tribal custom.

Seems to me like its as worthy of tax free status as anything else.

[cbayer]

5. Tax exempt status is granted to organizations that meet non-profit criteria.

It has nothing to do with rituals.

[Trillo]

7. That's why I said the folks running this made a mistake in the mandatory donation price.

Gotta hate those African-like tribal customs, they're not worthy of religious tax exemption. Mere "savages."

[cbayer]

8. The revocation had nothing to do with the "tribal" customs.

There are lots of non-profit groups that have tax exemptions. The exemption is not merely religious. It is granted to any group that qualifies for 501 (c)3 status, including those that represent non-believers.

Do you think they should have been able to be tax exempt?

[Trillo]

9. Obviously we disagree. Organized religion has practiced hatred of tribal cultures for millenia.

The hatred is even written in the article you referenced in the OP.

Yes, I think a group that organizes and gets together to have fun should be able to qualify for tax exempt status. Given that our Declaration of Independence states we all have a right to "pursue happiness", and such happiness comes in many varieties, it seems like a no-brainer.

[cbayer]

10. Some branches of organized religion may be like that,

but you paint with too broad a brush.

I agree with you that groups that organize and get together to have fun should be deemed tax exempt if they meet the criteria for a non-profit group.

This group didn't meet that criteria and their status was revoked. It does seem like a no-brainer.

[okasha]

18. What the bleep

do you see in the specified activities of this nightclub that has anything in common with "tribal" customs? I've seen a whole lot of "tribal" dancing, and none of it involved lingerie or DJ's in bikinis.

[Trillo]

22. It's the modern version of dancing around a fire,

the fire is in lightbulbs, and the drums and chants replaced with electronic sound systems.

Dances have always been significant in the lives of Native Americans as both a common amusement and a solemn duty. Many dances played a vital role in religious rituals and other ceremonies; while others were held to guarantee the success of hunts, harvests, giving thanks, and other celebrations.

Commonly, dances were held in a large structure or in an open field around a fire. Movements of the participants illustrated the purpose of the dance -- expressing prayer, victory, thanks, mythology and more. Sometimes a leader was chosen, on others, a specific individual, such as a war leader or medicine man would lead the dance. Many tribes danced only to the sound of a drum and their own voices; while others incorporated bells and rattles. Some dances included solos, while others included songs with a leader and chorus. Participants might include the entire tribe, or would specific to men, women, or families. In addition to public dances, there were also private and semi-public dances for healing, prayer, initiation, storytelling, and courting.

Lots of other examples.

[okasha]

23. As I said, I 've seen a lot of "tribal" dancing.

I can still do some of the slower steps, such as the stomp dance. It has nothing in common with the activities of this, or any other, nightclub, any more than it does with, say the Viennese waltz The basis of indigenous dance is shared identity, not dropping a $20.00 cover at the entrance.

[Trillo]

25. I understand your dissonance. But, is it any more absurd than

granting tax-free status to churches that killed thousands to millions of Pagans, and which still advocates death against gays? I've been in those kinds of U.S. churches, I can't really understand what they are saying for the most part, but the general gist of their religion is that humans are bad bad bad and only one human in all of history was worth anything, everyone else is essentially a piece of dung.

That's what our government thinks of tax-free status and "pursuit of happiness"?

[cbayer]

27. While I share your feelings about the evils that have been perpetrated by some religious

groups, I think you have to be thoughtful about the whole tax status issue.

You can not exclude religious groups that otherwise meet the criteria of any other non-profits. That would be a 1st amendment violation and a very slippery slope.

Tax exempt status has nothing to o with "pursuit of happiness", otherwise every bar and whore house in the country would qualify.

[trotsky]

6. Sorry your experience has been so limited.

Given the results of repeated surveys, and the experiences of the many people you dismiss, it is far more typical to experience the collection plate being passed as Trillo desribes. I've visited at least 25 different churches here in the midwest and only one hasn't approached things like that. Your chastisement of Trillo is unwarranted.

[Warren Stupidity]

26. churches with an extremely progressive social agenda account for a very small fraction

of christian sects and of christians. The largest sect, the RCC, is blatantly and proudly homophobic and misogynistic. Evangelical and fundamentalist protestant sects are another 25% of all christians, and are overwhelmingly rabidly conservative right wing organizations that preach hatred along with their homophobia and misogyny.

But yes certainly a religion that celebrates life ought to be shut the fuck down.

[trotsky]

3. I really wish you hadn't felt the need to include the sexist picture. n/t

[AtheistCrusader]

11. Why in the world did you include a shutterstock photo as if it adds to the lede?

Like, why would you go to the effort to manually inject the image url here?

[struggle4progress]

12. PCB church loses tax exemption after opening club

By ZACK McDONALD | News Herald Writer
Published: Wednesday, March 11, 2015 at 10:53 AM.

... The Life Center: A Spiritual Community, 9721 Thomas Drive, has been up and running its seven-days-a-week party schedule as Amnesia: The Tabernacle since Feb. 28 ... The Tabernacle .. caters to college students on vacation ...

Since ATMs and a banner promoting “iDrink” appeared out front of The Life Center, the Bay County Sheriff’s Office and Panama City Beach Police Department investigators have began taking a closer look ...

Since a Facebook post from BCSO questioned the integrity of the club, highlighting that the club often hosts adult entertainment, Club Amnesia has shut down its website. However, when the website was available, it boasted a Sunday night event called “Slumber,” a pajama and lingerie party hosted by “the sexiest ladies on the beach.” Raves take place weekly along with an “Anything But Clothes” paint party. And Wednesday nights are reserved for an event called “Wet n Wild,” a water-themed event where “white water meets Tabernacle PCB with a little twerkin’,” the website stated ...

... T-shirts depicting stick figures performing oral sex on one another and the text “I hate being sober” adorn the walls ...

http://www.newsherald.com/spring-break/pcb-church-loses-tax-exemption-after-opening-club-1.448871?page=2

[struggle4progress]

13. Bay Co. Officials Question Nightly Operation out of The Life Center Church

Updated: Tue 2:33 PM, Mar 10, 2015

... A sign and ATM popped up outside of The Life Center, A Spiritual Community in Panama City Beach.

According to Bay Co. Sheriff Frank McKeithen, it's advertising a night club inside the church ...

"I think it's totally fine, to be honest," Tim Mangin, a spring breaker from Pennsylvania, said. "I mean, I'd be a little hesitant to go there in the first place, just because it's in a church. But as long as they're trying to promote the general atmosphere of spring break in Panama City, I'm all for it" ...

http://www.wjhg.com/home/headlines/Bay-Co-Officials-Question-Night-295711481.html

[struggle4progress]

14. Church with Naked Paint Parties Loses Tax-exempt Status

Posted: Fri 6:29 AM, Mar 13, 2015

PANAMA CITY BEACH, Fla. (AP) -- A Florida church that hosted naked paint parties and slumber-party Sundays featuring the "sexiest ladies on the beach" has lost its tax-exempt status.

The Life Center: A Spiritual Community has been operating a seven-day-a-week party called Amnesia: The Tabernacle since Feb. 2 ...

Patrons are charged a "donation" of $20 at the door. On the walls inside are T-shirts emblazoned with obscene gestures and signs that say "I hate being sober" ...

http://www.1011now.com/news/offbeat/headlines/Church-with-Naked-Paint-Parties-Loses-Tax-exempt-Status-296188401.html

[struggle4progress]

15. WTF Florida: Nightclub Posing as Church Loses Tax-Exempt Status

By Kyle Munzenrieder
Fri., Mar. 13 2015 at 8:30 AM

Last month, a new church opened up in Panama City Beach called the Life Center: A Spiritual Community. It hosted a seven-day-a-week program called "Amnesia: The Tabernacle." Turns out it was actually all a big Spring Break party.

The first tip-off should have come that the "church" charged a $20 "suggested donation" and had an ATM installed. Its website also boasted of "Anything But Clothes," lingerie and pajama events, "Wet 'n' wild," twerking and naked paintball parties. Yes, naked paintball ...

http://blogs.miaminewtimes.com/riptide/2015/03/wtf_florida_nightclub_posing_as_church_loses_tax-exempt_status.php

[okasha]

17. "Nightclub Posing as Church"

about sums it up. It was pure tax-fraud scam.

[struggle4progress]

19. "But naked paintball really IS my religion!"

... The Life Center: A Spiritual Community, 9721 Thomas Drive ... Owned by Markus Q. Bishop, former pastor of Faith Christian Family Church ...

UPDATE: Former PCB pastor jailed on drug, sex charges (AFFIDAVIT)
By ZACK McDONALD | News Herald Writer | Twitter: @pcnhzack
Published: Wednesday, September 24, 2014 at 07:51 PM.
PANAMA CITY — The former pastor of a Panama City Beach church is in jail again after allegedly giving a 16-year-old marijuana and then forcing sexual advances upon the minor, according to court documents. Markus Quin Bishop, 54, was arrested Tuesday and charged with delivering a controlled substance to a minor and felony battery ...

[okasha]

20. "Again," huh?

Maybe he can become a Pastafarian in prison.

[struggle4progress]

21. He was arrested for domestic assault in 2008, I think

[okasha]

24. I wonder if Florida

is a three-strikes-and-you're out state.

[struggle4progress]

16. Panama City Beach property loses tax-exempt status after raunchy spring break parties

By Dennis Pillion
March 13, 2015 at 6:34 PM

Bay County, Fla. officials say a Panama City Beach business is trying to avoid the law and state property taxes by calling itself a church while operating as a night club, hosting a wide range of parties that go on until 5 a.m. for anyone willing to pay the $20 "donation" required at the door ...

... On Monday nights, The Tabernacle hosts "Anything But Clothes" paint parties, in which visitors are invited to "Bare as you dare to attend in anything but clothes."

Tuesdays bring the Mardi Gras parties, promoted online by asking "What will you do for your beads?" On Wednesdays the venue hosts "Wet and Wild" parties, then raves on Thursday night, "Project PCB" parties on Friday and "Pretty Nasty" parties on Saturday night.

Of course the church is open Sunday nights too, with "Slumber" pajama and lingerie parties, "hosted by the sexiest ladies on the beach." The Spring Break Amnesia web site makes no mention of any daytime or other religious activities taking place on the premises ...

http://www.al.com/news/beaches/index.ssf/2015/03/church_or_club_panama_city_bea.html