I'm a lawyer, but I don't want your business. I want to help you avoid the misery of lawsuits and lawyers. Really.
Good News and Bad News: Primary Election Win Extends Blogging Break
By Stephen Bloom | May 22, 2010
Good news: I won the Republican primary election for the PA 199th District State House seat!
Bad news: No time for blogging as my campaign for the November 2 general election is on!
Please visit my campaign website.
Thank you for your ongoing prayers and support!
Topics: Features | 2 Comments »
Taking a Blog Break: Pennsylvania Election Day May 18 (I’m running for state legislature)
By Stephen Bloom | April 20, 2010
I’m running for Pennsylvania State Legislature and will be focused on campaigning through election day, so I’m taking a break from new postings here until after May 18.
Please visit my campaign website www.StephenLBloom.com
Your prayers and support are much appreciated!
Topics: Features | No Comments »
April 15 vs. Jesus
By Stephen Bloom | March 27, 2010
What about taxes?
Since the government uses much of our tax money for immoral purposes, is it okay for Christians to shade the truth when it comes to paying taxes?
Aren’t we honoring God if we hide some of our income from the IRS?
It sounds appealing: Save money, honor God, and keep the fruits of our labor out of the greedy hands of government!
But sometimes our best human reasoning and self-justification just doesn’t measure up to God’s clear standards for our behavior. Sometimes, for our own good, we need to listen to God’s guidance, especially when God’s guidance is perfectly straightforward: Pay the taxes you owe!
The story is told in three of the four gospels. Jesus is approached by some religious people who think they know his character. They are sure he will advise against paying taxes to the corrupt Roman government. And they plan to use his opposition as a way to trap him with legal trouble and shut down his ministry. But Jesus surprises and amazes them by saying, “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s.”
It’s that simple. Jesus says to pay the government the taxes we owe!
Yet many Christians seem to struggle with honesty and full compliance when it comes to paying taxes. And some Christians continue to dance around the issue of taxes almost as if they believe there is an entirely separate standard of morality that applies, as if the distinction between lies and truth mysteriously evaporates in the realm of taxation.
So here’s the real deal: Lying about taxes is still lying. The book of Proverbs, at Chapter 21, verse 6, warns us, “A fortune made by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapor and a deadly snare.”
What are your thoughts on the morality of Christians paying taxes?
Topics: Bible, common legal issues | No Comments »
Action Update on “Christian Lawyers of America, Inc.” Consumer Warning
By Stephen Bloom | March 23, 2010
Earlier this month, I alerted our readers to consumer warnings about Christian Lawyers of America, Inc.
Today, a lawyer on staff at the State Bar of California (the state where Christian Lawyers of America is based) contacted me with the following important action update for anyone potentially scammed by the organization in question or other similar loan modification rip-offs:
The State Bar of California (the agency responsible regulating and disciplining attorneys admitted to the practice of law in California) has formed a Loan Modification Taskforce in order to deal specifically with attorney misconduct in loan modification cases. If you believe you have been the victim of illegal or unethical behavior by an attorney in a loan modification matter, you have the right to file a complaint with the State Bar against that attorney. If you choose to file a complaint, please do so as soon as possible because if you wait too long the State Bar may be barred from taking action against the attorney.
Topics: scam alert | 22 Comments »
Consumer Warning: Christian Lawyers of America, Inc.
By Stephen Bloom | March 2, 2010
Be careful out there folks!
Just because a company uses the phrase “Christian Lawyers” in its name doesn’t mean it will reflect genuine Christian ethics and professionalism.
I’ve been getting research alerts on consumer complaints about a company called Christian Lawyers of America, Inc., a company that claims it “has the experience and the network to protect you legally against creditors, lenders and banks.”
Well, the Better Business Bureau of the Southland (California, where the company in question is based) gives Christian Lawyers of America, Inc., a resounding “F” grade, warning consumers: ”We strongly question the company’s reliability for reasons such as that they have failed to respond to complaints, their advertising is grossly misleading, they are not in compliance with the law’s licensing or registration requirements, their complaints contain especially serious allegations, or the company’s industry is known for its fraudulent business practices.”
Question: Have you been scammed by a lawyer who claims to be a Christian?
Topics: Christian lawyer, scam alert | 76 Comments »
