Depends on the particular organization. I don't disagree that some charitable organizations aren't worthy of the title, but that's an administrative matter for the IRS to resolve. As long as the charities are operating within the law, they are operating within the law.Svartalf wrote:Given how much money gets eaten as 'general costs' rather than actually going to charity when churches are involved, and how much church based charities cover compared to actual needs, I have to conclued that you must surely be jesting, good sir.
Nowhere in the law does it say that a particular percentage of the income must be passed to those the charity serves directly, and administrative costs are an indirect contribution for without an administration many charities would not be able to distribute anything to anyone. The Red Cross has substantial administrative costs but few deny that it serves the public well with its charitable non-profit activities.
The Catholic church gives billions in charitable donations and aid every year. It's not required to give 100 percent of it's income to charitable causes and it has substantial administrative costs as well. And the items the Pope wears and uses in ceremonies do not belong to the Pope, they belong to the Catholic church itself and are not used to generate profits. You may disagree with the pomp and ceremony, but it's not up to you to judge what Catholics desire or require by way of religious articles. That's between them and God.