# Is it standatard practice to start your church by writing bad checks? **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [May 24, 2013, 3:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-standatard-practice-to-start-your-church-by-writing-bad-checks/659229 "2013-05-24T15:02:56Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![cosmosdan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a6a055/32.png) [@cosmosdan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cosmosdan)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2013, 9:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-standatard-practice-to-start-your-church-by-writing-bad-checks/659229/41 "2013-05-24T21:31:05Z")
> [@Seanette](#): > > I’m having trouble figuring out how providing a physical description of someone who committed a crime against you _isn’t_ relevant. > > There is such a thing as being _too_ politically correct and color-blind, you know. 🙂 Yes, I was being sarcastic because people seemed to be implying I was mentioning race for no good reason when it appeared to me that the fact that we had accpeted checks was shared through the network I mentioned. ---
**Author:** ![Slow\_Moving\_Vehicle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slow_moving_vehicle/32/291_2.png) [@Slow\_Moving\_Vehicle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slow_Moving_Vehicle)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2013, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-standatard-practice-to-start-your-church-by-writing-bad-checks/659229/42 "2013-05-24T21:35:12Z")
> [@ThelmaLou](#): > > I believe this is exactly how the Catholic Church (which was the only church back then) started. Jebus asked his treasurer Matthew to write a hot check and the rest is history. Matty was a tax collector, too, so you gotta think he knew how to cook a book. ---
**Author:** ![GrandWino](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grandwino/32/67_2.png) [@GrandWino](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GrandWino)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2013, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-standatard-practice-to-start-your-church-by-writing-bad-checks/659229/43 "2013-05-24T21:40:31Z")
You know, I was one of the first here to jump on you for the race thing but after thinking about it and reading more of your posts, I have to say that you might not be wrong. Not so much about it being a “black” thing rather it being a “shady friends who happen to be black” thing. You might not be wrong…People talk. ---
**Author:** ![cosmosdan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a6a055/32.png) [@cosmosdan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cosmosdan)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2013, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-standatard-practice-to-start-your-church-by-writing-bad-checks/659229/44 "2013-05-24T21:53:05Z")
> [@Bob Ducca](#): > > You know, I was one of the first here to jump on you for the race thing but after thinking about it and reading more of your posts, I have to say that you might not be wrong. Not so much about it being a “black” thing rather it being a “shady friends who happen to be black” thing. You might not be wrong…People talk. I felt a little bad for being so cynical about people in general but the fact that not one of them ever came back with cash or a credit card to pay with leads me to think it was something else. People justify all kinds of bizarre things so maybe this has gotten to be a habit among certain groups. ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2013, 10:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-standatard-practice-to-start-your-church-by-writing-bad-checks/659229/45 "2013-05-24T22:00:04Z")
I may have engaged in an undue amount of sarcasm at **cosmodan** ’s expense, which I regret. Ever noticed though, how many people who commit crimes own cats? There’s gotta be a connection. ---
**Author:** ![Cazzle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cazzle/32/75_2.png) [@Cazzle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cazzle)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2013, 10:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-standatard-practice-to-start-your-church-by-writing-bad-checks/659229/46 "2013-05-24T22:05:03Z")
There was money in the account to cover the cheque when it was written, but the pastor didn’t know it was being embezzled… By a white atheist. BOOM! I just blew your mind. ---
**Author:** ![cosmosdan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a6a055/32.png) [@cosmosdan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cosmosdan)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2013, 10:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-standatard-practice-to-start-your-church-by-writing-bad-checks/659229/47 "2013-05-24T22:11:30Z")
> [@Jackmannii](#): > > I may have engaged in an undue amount of sarcasm at **cosmodan** ’s expense, which I regret. > > Ever noticed though, how many people who commit crimes own cats? There’s gotta be a connection. Not to worry. I knew they were jokes 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![cosmosdan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a6a055/32.png) [@cosmosdan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cosmosdan)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2013, 10:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-standatard-practice-to-start-your-church-by-writing-bad-checks/659229/48 "2013-05-24T22:14:31Z")
> [@Eliahna](#): > > There was money in the account to cover the cheque when it was written, but the pastor didn’t know it was being embezzled… By a white atheist. > > BOOM! I just blew your mind. It took a week before we got a notice from the bank for insufficient funds on BOTH checks, and then three days to track them down and retirive the gear, {which went to get} Any honest person would have called and apologized and worked something out, or returned the gear themselves. I was almost hoping I’d have to go down on a Sunday during a service to call them out. ---
**Author:** ![BlankSlate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blankslate/32/80_2.png) [@BlankSlate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BlankSlate)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2013, 10:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-standatard-practice-to-start-your-church-by-writing-bad-checks/659229/49 "2013-05-24T22:19:11Z")
Why would anyone need a PA system in a store-front church in the first place? ---
**Author:** ![cosmosdan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a6a055/32.png) [@cosmosdan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cosmosdan)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2013, 10:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-standatard-practice-to-start-your-church-by-writing-bad-checks/659229/50 "2013-05-24T22:34:10Z")
> [@BlankSlate](#): > > Why would anyone need a PA system in a store-front church in the first place? Music is a real big deal in churches. It fires people up, puts asses in seats and fills the collection plate. ---
**Author:** ![Seanette](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/seanette/32/9139_2.png) [@Seanette](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Seanette)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2013, 10:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-standatard-practice-to-start-your-church-by-writing-bad-checks/659229/51 "2013-05-24T22:42:28Z")
> [@cosmosdan](#): > > Yes, I was being sarcastic because people seemed to be implying I was mentioning race for no good reason when it appeared to me that the fact that we had accpeted checks was shared through the network I mentioned. I’ve actually seen people complain when a police description of a wanted suspect in a crime includes race. I’ve also seen news outlets refuse to mention race in such a description, even when asking the public to help _find_ the suspect. ---
**Author:** ![Lynn\_Bodoni](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e47c2d/32.png) [@Lynn\_Bodoni](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lynn_Bodoni)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2013, 11:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-standatard-practice-to-start-your-church-by-writing-bad-checks/659229/52 "2013-05-24T23:09:40Z")
> [@Jackmannii](#): > > I may have engaged in an undue amount of sarcasm at **cosmodan** ’s expense, which I regret. > > Ever noticed though, how many people who commit crimes own cats? There’s gotta be a connection. Well, cats are bad influences. I should know, I have four of them. None of them seems to feel the slightest bit guilty if they take something from your plate, or your hand. If you catch a dog stealing something, at least they have the courtesy to LOOK guilty. ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2013, 11:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-standatard-practice-to-start-your-church-by-writing-bad-checks/659229/53 "2013-05-24T23:10:00Z")
> [@Slow\_Moving\_Vehicle](#): > > Matty was a tax collector, too, so you gotta think he knew how to cook a book. Or cook a scroll anyway. > [@Jackmannii](#): > > I may have engaged in an undue amount of sarcasm at **cosmodan** ’s expense, which I regret. > > Ever noticed though, how many people who commit crimes own cats? There’s gotta be a connection. And virtually ALL people who commit crimes wear **shoes**. How come no one is studying this shit? ---
**Author:** ![Sparky\_the\_Wonder\_Spirit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/848f3c/32.png) [@Sparky\_the\_Wonder\_Spirit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sparky_the_Wonder_Spirit)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2013, 11:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-standatard-practice-to-start-your-church-by-writing-bad-checks/659229/54 "2013-05-24T23:16:22Z")
> [@Jackmannii](#): > > Ever noticed though, how many people who commit crimes own cats? There’s gotta be a connection. Is witchcraft and black magic still considered a crime? ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2013, 11:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-standatard-practice-to-start-your-church-by-writing-bad-checks/659229/55 "2013-05-24T23:19:43Z")
> [@Seanette](#): > > I’ve actually seen people complain when a police description of a wanted suspect in a crime includes race. I’ve also seen news outlets refuse to mention race in such a description, even when asking the public to help _find_ the suspect. And when race isn’t mentioned, it’s a very safe assumption that the suspect is black. :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![cosmosdan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a6a055/32.png) [@cosmosdan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cosmosdan)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2013, 12:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-standatard-practice-to-start-your-church-by-writing-bad-checks/659229/56 "2013-05-25T00:20:05Z")
> [@Seanette](#): > > I’ve actually seen people complain when a police description of a wanted suspect in a crime includes race. I’ve also seen news outlets refuse to mention race in such a description, even when asking the public to help _find_ the suspect. Seems a little crazy PC for me. If a black man robs me and I describe the robber as a black man tha’s not racist by any stretch. Now, he might be french or english for all I know, but his skin tone, is dark. ---
**Author:** ![Tee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/73ab20/32.png) [@Tee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tee)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2013, 12:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-standatard-practice-to-start-your-church-by-writing-bad-checks/659229/57 "2013-05-25T00:24:38Z")
> [@cosmosdan](#): > > I know some people are really just in it for the money, but is it a widespread and somewhat organized racket? If you’ve ever fallen asleep watching a sitcom rerun, and awakened at a dismal hour of the morning to the sound of Mike Murdock asking parishioners to sow their thousand-dollar seeds, you might have looked him up and learned about the Prosperity Doctrine, and then the recurrence of flat broke wannabe-preachers would make more sense. ---
**Author:** ![Chimera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Chimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chimera)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2013, 12:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-standatard-practice-to-start-your-church-by-writing-bad-checks/659229/58 "2013-05-25T00:41:20Z")
> [@Sparky\_the\_Wonder\_Spirit](#): > > Is witchcraft and black magic still considered a crime? In some countries, yes. You can be executed in Saudi Arabia for it, as well as a fair number of SE Asian and African nations. ---
**Author:** ![Seanette](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/seanette/32/9139_2.png) [@Seanette](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Seanette)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2013, 1:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-standatard-practice-to-start-your-church-by-writing-bad-checks/659229/59 "2013-05-25T01:03:17Z")
> [@cosmosdan](#): > > Seems a little crazy PC for me. If a black man robs me and I describe the robber as a black man tha’s not racist by any stretch. Now, he might be french or english for all I know, but his skin tone, is dark. I agree with you. This is the practical and rational approach where skin color is just a matter of pigment, nothing about the human being inside the skin. Problem is I live in California, where you get a lot of the professionally offended PC types. ---
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2013, 2:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-standatard-practice-to-start-your-church-by-writing-bad-checks/659229/60 "2013-05-26T02:07:03Z")
For everyone huffing and puffing about the OP daring to mention the check bouncers race you need to step back. I lease commercial real estate in an area where there are always a lot of small black churches trying to get established and relative to other tenants and non black churches a substantial number are congenitally slow pay and bad pay. Many landlords refuse to rent to them because of this reputation. Why this is who knows but making the observation isn’t racism it’s reality. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-standatard-practice-to-start-your-church-by-writing-bad-checks/659229.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-standatard-practice-to-start-your-church-by-writing-bad-checks/659229.md?page=4)