Spiritual literature is everywhere. It all points to a few common principles about mastering living. Should we choose one and reject all others? Is the gospel of Christ different from the gospel of Buddha? Let’s explore together.

1. Tax on Churches, Facts aboutTax on Churches, Facts about
Religious Discussion & Nix onReligious Discussion & Nix on
Religion ParodyReligion Parody
http://epiphanythebook.comhttp://epiphanythebook.com

2. Real Time host Bill Maher says that churches, like corporations,
should pay their fair share of taxes.
“There are 300,000 religious congregations in this country that
pay no taxes,” Maher explained. “And they own $600 billion in
property.”
Some 22.8 percent of Americans identify themselves as atheist
or agnostic, which means “almost a quarter of us Americans are
being forced to subsidize a myth that we’re not buying into,”
Maher says. “Why in heaven’s name don’t we tax religion — a
sexist, homophobic magic act that’s been used to justify
everything from genital mutilation to genocide?”
Watch Maher’s commentary here and share your thoughts in the
comments section below.
Should Religions Be Taxed?

3. Religion Declines, Spirituality Grows inReligion Declines, Spirituality Grows in
United StatesUnited States
 ““By many measures, religious practice and affiliationBy many measures, religious practice and affiliation
has greatly declined in the United States in the last 50 years.has greatly declined in the United States in the last 50 years.
And yet spirituality, religion’s free-spirited sibling, appears toAnd yet spirituality, religion’s free-spirited sibling, appears to
be as strong – if not stronger – than ever,” Antonia Blumberbe as strong – if not stronger – than ever,” Antonia Blumber
writes in the Huffington Post.writes in the Huffington Post.
 ““Yes, religious affiliation has declined,” she says, “But feelingsYes, religious affiliation has declined,” she says, “But feelings
of spiritual peace and wellbeing? Wonder about the universe?of spiritual peace and wellbeing? Wonder about the universe?
Both have significantly increased in the last decade acrossBoth have significantly increased in the last decade across
religious and nonreligious groups:religious and nonreligious groups:
 Some 54 percent of atheists say they regularly feel a sense ofSome 54 percent of atheists say they regularly feel a sense of
awe and wonder. This percentage grew 17 points betweenawe and wonder. This percentage grew 17 points between
2007 and 2014.2007 and 2014.
 Read more about the change in religious and spirituality beliefsRead more about the change in religious and spirituality beliefs
and share your thoughts about the religion vs. spiritualityand share your thoughts about the religion vs. spirituality
debate. Is one path better than another?debate. Is one path better than another?

4. Is Religion a Forbidden or Non-Topic?Is Religion a Forbidden or Non-Topic?
 Although most people still don’t know what fork to chooseAlthough most people still don’t know what fork to choose
when there’s more than one to the left of their plate, thewhen there’s more than one to the left of their plate, the
admonitions from etiquette experts against discussing religionadmonitions from etiquette experts against discussing religion
have taken hold.have taken hold.
 ““About half of U.S. adults tell us they seldom (33%) or neverAbout half of U.S. adults tell us they seldom (33%) or never
(16%) talk about religion with people outside their family. And(16%) talk about religion with people outside their family. And
roughly four-in-ten say they seldom (26%) or never (13%)roughly four-in-ten say they seldom (26%) or never (13%)
discuss religion even with members of their immediate family,”discuss religion even with members of their immediate family,”
the Pew Research Center reported April 15th.the Pew Research Center reported April 15th.
 Is this a sign that people respect other’s sensitivity on theIs this a sign that people respect other’s sensitivity on the
subject, are afraid to share their own views or just don’t caresubject, are afraid to share their own views or just don’t care
enough to bring up the topic at the dinner table or office?enough to bring up the topic at the dinner table or office?
 Where do you think the topic of religion belongs? Please joinWhere do you think the topic of religion belongs? Please join
the discussion belowthe discussion below

5. Belief in Flying Spaghetti Monster Not aBelief in Flying Spaghetti Monster Not a
ReligionReligion
 A U.S. District Court judge ruled that Pastafarianism is not aA U.S. District Court judge ruled that Pastafarianism is not a
protected religion.protected religion.
 The movement is a “parody, intended to advance argumentThe movement is a “parody, intended to advance argument
about science, the evolution of life, and the place of religion inabout science, the evolution of life, and the place of religion in
public education. Those are important issues, and FSMismpublic education. Those are important issues, and FSMism
contains a serious argument—but that does not mean that thecontains a serious argument—but that does not mean that the
trappings of the satire used to make that argument are entitledtrappings of the satire used to make that argument are entitled
to protection as a ‘religion,'” the court ruled.to protection as a ‘religion,'” the court ruled.
 Despite the court’s ruling, does the parody make a validDespite the court’s ruling, does the parody make a valid
point? Does it encourage the kind of free discussion that willpoint? Does it encourage the kind of free discussion that will
help people become more open about the topic of religion? help people become more open about the topic of religion?
Or is belief in a “flying spaghetti monster” so crude that itOr is belief in a “flying spaghetti monster” so crude that it
invites further division among people of different faiths?invites further division among people of different faiths?
Please share your thoughts.Please share your thoughts.

6. Belief in Flying Spaghetti Monster Not aBelief in Flying Spaghetti Monster Not a
ReligionReligion
 A U.S. District Court judge ruled that Pastafarianism is not aA U.S. District Court judge ruled that Pastafarianism is not a
protected religion.protected religion.
 The movement is a “parody, intended to advance argumentThe movement is a “parody, intended to advance argument
about science, the evolution of life, and the place of religion inabout science, the evolution of life, and the place of religion in
public education. Those are important issues, and FSMismpublic education. Those are important issues, and FSMism
contains a serious argument—but that does not mean that thecontains a serious argument—but that does not mean that the
trappings of the satire used to make that argument are entitledtrappings of the satire used to make that argument are entitled
to protection as a ‘religion,'” the court ruled.to protection as a ‘religion,'” the court ruled.
 Despite the court’s ruling, does the parody make a validDespite the court’s ruling, does the parody make a valid
point? Does it encourage the kind of free discussion that willpoint? Does it encourage the kind of free discussion that will
help people become more open about the topic of religion? help people become more open about the topic of religion?
Or is belief in a “flying spaghetti monster” so crude that itOr is belief in a “flying spaghetti monster” so crude that it
invites further division among people of different faiths?invites further division among people of different faiths?
Please share your thoughts.Please share your thoughts.