Buddhists experience 'blatant discrimination' at Mulliken board meeting

[sl8]

From https://www.lansingstatejournal.com/story/news/2020/08/06/buddhists-experience-blatant-discrimination-mulliken/3300915001/

Buddhists experience ‘blatant discrimination’ at Mulliken board meeting

Kristan Obeng
Lansing State Journal

Than Oo and members of his Buddhist congregation wanted a brick-and-mortar location to worship.

The former Mulliken United Methodist Church, which had been on the market for months, seemed almost perfect for their needs.

[...]

One trustee’s reasoning for the denial “shocked him,” said Mesick, who has served on the board since last year.

Debler "said she is not comfortable giving the building to another religion,” said Mesick. “I was angry and disappointed. That is blatant discrimination and opens up the village to a lawsuit.”

[...]

[SheltieLover]

1. K&R!

[abqtommy]

2. All my life I've heard that Buddhism is NOT a religion. Of course I've seen that it is. But it

seems that now we need a definite clarification... Maybe the courts will provide that.

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

3. Who says it's not a religion?

It involves faith, and ritual. It's a religion. If some Buddhists buy a surplus church or mosque or temple, it will continue to be not taxed, because it's a religion.

I doubt if that question will become a court case.

Now, light a stick of incense, bang a gong, throw back a shot of Jack, be one with the universe.

[abqtommy]

4. In my experience it's mostly Buddhists that deny it's a religion... thanks for your input.

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

5. They might deny that it's a religion, but ...

... do they take the religious exemptions from paying taxes on the temples?

You can't have it both ways. Or, maybe you can, depending on religious (or not) beliefs.

[Nitram]

8. Bozo, many Buddhists don't take religious exemptions on their taxes.

Some practice as a religion, and others as something else.

[Nitram]

7. Actually, I think you will find that in some countries Buddhism is practiced as a religion, while

many Buddhists practice as a way of life or a philosophy, not a religion. If you are interested, I can elaborate on that.

[Nitram]

6. The sad thing is that the "Christian" who gave that reason for denying a permit probably really

believes it is a legally and constitutionally sound reason.

[abqtommy]

9. But then the very practice of "religious belief" opens the door to much mischief! Thanks for your

input.

[Nitram]

10. "Belief systems" are inherently subjective, and thus prone to bias.