Religion in US 'worth more than Google and Apple combined'

[yortsed snacilbuper]

The largely tax-free religion industry is one of the biggest in America, worth $1.2 trillion/year, a number that includes religious “healthcare facilities, schools, daycare and charities; media; businesses with faith backgrounds; the kosher and halal food markets; social and philanthropic programmes; and staff and overheads for congregations.”

Faith is worth $1.2tn a year - more than combined revenues of 10 biggest tech firms in America

Religion in the United States is worth $1.2tn a year, making it equivalent to the 15th largest national economy in the world, according to a study.

The faith economy has a higher value than the combined revenues of the top 10 technology companies in the US, including Apple, Amazon and Google, says the analysis from Georgetown University in Washington DC.

The Socioeconomic Contributions of Religion to American Society: An Empirical Analysis calculated the $1.2tn figure by estimating the value of religious institutions, including healthcare facilities, schools, daycare and charities; media; businesses with faith backgrounds; the kosher and halal food markets; social and philanthropic programmes; and staff and overheads for congregations.

link

Tax free too, what a racket!

Al

[Skittles]

1. it is proof you can make people believe anything

yup

[BigmanPigman]

2. Bill Maher speaks for me when it comes to this BS.

[NCLefty]

5. Add Carlin. :p

[BigmanPigman]

6. Yes, of course!

[Initech]

10. Watch "The Righteous Gemstones" if you haven't already.

Holy crap that show nails the televangelist lifestyle. They live large, rake in the dough, and are just as corrupt behind the scenes as you can believe.

[Enoki33]

3. They should at the very least be required to pay property taxes.

[Bettie]

4. Of course it is

people will get on their knees and start paying... and do as they are told as long as that preacher tells them that THEY are the good people and those other people over there? They are the bad ones, who deserve hatred and eternal punishment.

[The Genealogist]

7. Lots of grifting involved there

Those "love offerimgs" sure rack up fast.

[BSdetect]

8. Its one vast con business.

[Initech]

9. It's time for them to start paying.

If you preach from a giant stadium, you pay. End of debate.