Creationist Hero Hovind In Deep Doo-Doo With IRS

[WildCat]

The story:

PENSACOLA, Fla. -- Internal Revenue Service agents are investigating a man who runs a creationist theme park and museum, saying he owes taxes on proceeds of more than $1 million.

IRS agents raided the Pensacola homes and businesses of Kent Hovind, 51. Calling himself "Dr. Dino," Hovind argues against evolution and for a Biblical view of creation in travels around the world, on the Internet, videos and in literature.

This is gonna be good!
The fundys will probably claim this is more evidence of Christian persecution.

 

[Blue Monk]

God vs. the I.R.S.

This time it's personal..

I'm betting on the IRS.

 

[corplinx]

I'm torn, as an atheist this strikes me as good evidence of there being a god.

 

[Chaos]

I'm torn, as an atheist this strikes me as good evidence of there being a god.

Yeah...and he has a nice sense of humor

 

[LucyR]

What the hell is a creationist theme park? Sounds utterly horrifying.

 

[corplinx]

What the hell is a creationist theme park? Sounds utterly horrifying.

I guess Kent Hovind watched Fletch Lives too many times and thought, "I can do that".

 

[Hexxenhammer]

This is the best news I've heard all day.

 

[Zep]

What the hell is a creationist theme park? Sounds utterly horrifying.

You DON'T wanna go there!

But if you did.... Where the wildest ride is being forced to attend a Kent Hovind lecture! AAAAARGH! LEMME OUT!

 

[Ian Osborne]

Aren't religious organisations exempt from taxes in America? If so, this could make his defense VERY interesting...

 

[Cleon]

Behold the words of Swami Cleon!!!!

Hovind will claim persecution of Christians, and yea, fundies around the country, if not the world, will contribute to his defense. And once the back taxes are reached, this will be further "proof" that God is behind Hovind's park.

 

[Abdul Alhazred]

Aren't religious organisations exempt from taxes in America? If so, this could make his defense VERY interesting...

It's an ordinary private business, not a "religious organization" like a church or a charity.

 

[corplinx]

Behold the words of Swami Cleon!!!!

Hovind will claim persecution of Christians, and yea, fundies around the country, if not the world, will contribute to his defense. And once the back taxes are reached, this will be further "proof" that God is behind Hovind's park.

Jim and Tammy Baker were hung out to dry and they weren't on the very fringe of the evangelical fundmamentalist movement like Hovind.

 

[jj]

I'm torn, as an atheist this strikes me as good evidence of there being a god.

Well, or at least some spirit of irony...

My money's on the IRS too. Well a lot of my money is AT the IRS but that's only normal.

 

[Theodore Kurita]

This is the best news I have heard today...

It makes me wonder if other major fundies are going to get nailed on Tax Evasion Charges.

 

[Jas]

That entire creationist theme park is messed. Does anyone know anything about the bone that they claim belonged to a 12-foot human?

 

[subgenius]

I wouldn't back the IRS to do anything right.

The fact that they persecute this guy, only causes me to have sympathy for who would otherwise be my adversary.

 

[Scoobmaster]

Did anyone else that read the entire article find this quote frightening?

"Stoll said the IRS allegations were "based on misperceptions."

"They don't understand how the church is created and registered, how it operates under church law, which is entirely separate from secular authority," Stoll said."



Do they REALLY think that their beliefs allow them to circumvent the laws of the country??!!!!

 

[shemp]

Jeez, I don't know who to cheer for. I guess I'll just open a concession stand and make some money. Hot Dogs! Peanuts! Cold Beer Here!!!

 

[T'ai Chi]

I just remember how t'd off I was when I went to a coastal aquarium (a scientific, non-religious place) and there was creationist pamphlets placed everywhere by creationsists!

I hope if he did evade the IRS, etc., that he goes down big time.

 

[Zep]

I would much prefer that the IRS force him to justify his "church's" qualification as "religious". Since the nutty theme park is due to pay taxes, surely it behooves the IRS to look at the rest of Hovind's setup with a view to confirming it really IS a religious organisation and not just some "creationist" get-rich-quick scam.

Then they might have a look at the guy who wants his congregation to buy him an $18mill Cessa business jet. Same kook, bigger collection plate, I suppose...