Posted on 02/01/2016 11:37:14 AM PST by rickmichaels
A Harlem church is certainly having its trials and tribulations.
The controversial World Atlah Church on Lenox Ave. and 123rd infamous for its anti-gay and anti-Obama messages on its billboard - may go up for public auction thanks to its deep debts.
The house of worship owes at least $1 million to creditors, including unpaid city water and sewage bills, according to documents obtained by DNAInfo, which first reported the story.
A state judge ordered the church into a public foreclosure auction on Feb. 24, the website said.
But its pastor, James Manning, says his flock is being fleeced.
"We're a church and we're tax exempt," he told the Daily News Thursday.
"We are exempt from paying taxes, and that includes water and sewage bills," he said.
He blamed the "the sodomite mafia" for his troubles - and said he felt Mayor Bill de Blasio was being unduly influenced by gentrifiers to come after his property.
"It's an attempted land grab, that's what it is," said Manning, who has made headlines as the so-called "Hate Pastor of Harlem."
The World Atlah Church billboard is often filled with hate-filled homophobic diatribes such as "Jesus would stone homos."
Manning also made waves in the black community recently when he vocally endorsed GOP presidential contender Donald Trump.
Manning said he didn't think his politics were behind his financial troubles - just his views on gay marriage.
But his woes run deeper than unpaid sewage bills, according to DNAInfo.
He's also on the hook for $355,000 linked to nine federal tax liens dating to 2002, $28,000 to New York State and $30,000 in bills to other creditors, said DNAInfo, citing court and public records.
Manning denied having any federal tax liens and said he and his lawyer will fight the foreclosure in court.
"This is the sodomite community trying to stir me up," he said.
"The wildest scenario would be that the de Blasio administration would throw a church, a school, a homeless shelter and a breakfast program out into the street," he added.
Heres a work you haven’t heard in a while....BAILOUT!!
work = word
I have heard Rev. Manning’s speeches, and he makes some salient points about Obama and is very direct and on the mark in his criticism of Obama and black culture, however, churches are not exempt under New York State law from sewer taxes, only school and town. Water charges are also not exempt. If you are going to speak out against the enemy, make sure there is nothing that they can come after you for such as back taxes.
Don’t expect the long-legged mack daddy to bail this one out! (”That includes the water bill.” LOL!) But I always did admire this preacher’s willingness to skewer Hussein and his race racket.
Sorry, but water and sewage are not taxes. You have to pay for them just like every other church in the country.
I do believe the right Reverend needs to read Al Shartons book on how to make money the old fashion way .... fleece the gubbermnint out of it.
bump
Pastor Manning was quite the celebrity around here. But unfortunately, offering a college degree and delivering a self-promoting seminar is just downright sleazy. Right, Donald?
Truth, Justice, and the American Way.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.