Tax office and Churches

The Tax office wants to start to monitor the tax free status of Churches and not for profit groups. 
While I think there are some legitimate reasons for this status. There are others where you just shake your head and wonder

The Above link looks at Hillsong::

The Sunday Herald Sun can also reveal Hillsong founder Brian Houston uses a not-for-profit company, Leadership Ministries Inc, to fund a burgeoning tax-free global preaching empire.
LMI and other tax-free companies in the Hillsong network provide housing, cars, overseas travel, accommodation, credit cards and other perks free of fringe benefits or income tax.
Since LMI was set up in 2001 the Houston family's relationship with the company has included:
PROPERTY deals that have earned Houston and wife Bobbie $1.3 million. The Houstons are still tenants of the waterfront properties at Bondi Beach and Wilberforce on the Hawkesbury River.
A $1 MILLION FBT-free expense account each year for five employees, including the Houstons.
FULLY funded overseas tours where Mr Houston can earn up to US$20,000 a speech in "love offerings" on the international preaching circuit.
THE refund of all GST paid by the Houstons in their pastoral duties back to LMI.
THE creation of a network of offshore Hillsong subsidiaries.
Assemblies of God pastors around Australia take 75-90 per cent of their salaries as tax-free fringe benefits.
Hillsong finance director Peter Ridley, who is also the public officer of LMI, said the pastor paid personal income tax and had "a personal salary package" of just over $300,000.

I think that for a company for a turnover of a couple of millions then the CEO should be on about $300000. If a church is in this type of market then fair enough.

But

If it is CD sales, food sales (like sanatorium), property investments or other areas which the competition has to pay full tax then something is not right.

For little Churches and local Charities these tax breaks are important. But for the bigger churches, non-for profits there needs to be scrutiny.

Athiests religion and politics

For me a refreshing blast from the media covering the atheists in Melbourne.

One interesting quote from The Age, that the convention resembled 'a religion'. I would have to agree. It seemed most similar to a Hillsong conference that would be put on in Sydney.

The other interesting thing was how the Australian media went out to ask to ask our politians what they belived in. Some mixed results.

The coalition shadow ministry; non, as I expected described themselves as atheist.
Most of the actual leaders of both party described themselfs as 'lapsed', catholic, anglican, prespitarian, etc etc. I found this a bit of a cop out. I suspect if pushed they would actually end up saying they are agnoistic. The cynical side of me says that there are votes in this. Considering that 19% of the populations call themselves atheist something is not representative...

What I found the most fascinating was Bob Browns answer. "'lapsed Presbyterian''. He could have said anything and I wouldn't have been surprised. Yet I think there is a story to be told with this answer. considering he is gay. It is a story which I would really be interested in hearing considering his passion for the environment.

How to build great relatioships, Brian Houston.

I was pleasantly surprises with this book. Overall there was some pretty helpful advice on numerous types of relationships.
The area which I think let things down was the exegesis. For example, the section on 'The relationship with your children' most of the scripture was based on the Lords Prayer, Jesus teaching us to pray. It's not that the scriptures didn't fit with what was written. I just think the main, idea of the scripture quoted needs to be acknowledged.
The other aspect which I felt a bit annoying was interpreting church through a 'Hillsong' lenses and expectations.
Under the heading 'secrets for a strong marriage'. '

Two people who love the House of God.''Blessed are those who dwell in Your House' (psalm 84:4).

Now this psalm was written in regards to the Jewish synagogue. Now my understanding of the new Testament the 'Temple' has moved. I can't help thinking Brian is bringing a fair bit of his own interpretion to this.
I do think Christian community is important. Yet I get the feeling Brian has a pretty narrow view of what this looks like by his interpretation of church.
One of the good things about the book is it's finished in an hour. It's also pretty easy to read.