church and state?

Question

http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4155/is_20040804/ai_n12552125

should churches have any special treatments and how about chruch vs. state.

Answer 1

Religious organizations (churches, synagogues, associated schools, etc) are granted tax-exempt status, including exemption from any property taxes. This is a gift from the states and the Federal government. If these organizations start engaging in overt political activities, or essentially use their tax-exempt status to shield was is fundamentally a profit-making enterprise from taxation, they can lose the exemptions too.

Answer 2

I believe that churches do get special treatment today but it's often on an unequal basis. Therefore, I think that the favor should be on a rotating basis. Take for example the opening prayers in Congress. Every faith should take a turn, and I do mean every single one. Having those mostly old, white Christian dudes have to expand their consciousness by being exposed to Hindu, Zoroastrian, or Wiccan prayers would do them all good!!

Answer 3

If you search the Bill of Rights, Constitution, and Declaration of Independence you will NOT find a clause of seperation of church and state. There must never be a government endorsed church but that does not mean our founding fathers wanted the Christian religion out of government. If they did then why all the references to the Bible in our government documents, buildings, and even Benjamin Franklin (A supposed deist, which he was not) seeking prayers of "Almighty God" in the Senate chambers.

Taxation is to be determined by the powers that be in government. However, I also feel it is foolish to recognize everyone that claims to be a religion when the founding fathers clearly had certain beliefs about Chrisitianity.

Answer 4

George Bush said the he wasnt aware that Atheists existed, so yes, a Federal Church of War and Taxation is what this country needs.