The congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religio?

Question

Yet by giving tax exempt status to churches doesn't the federal government violate the establishment clause? Why should the largest business enterprise in America be tax exempt? Shouldn't all monies taken in by churches be taxed just like monies taken in by any other business?

Got some good answers,and for those who say that churches are non profit,not even close,churches in America rival Wal Mart in profits,and for those who say it's due to charitable works most estimates put it at less than 15% of monies going back into community.

Answer 1

Something else that needs considering is this:

the IRS requires that ALL non-profit organizations publish or make easily accessible the salaries of their top five earners, yet, famous southern Evangelics like Billy Graham, Franklin Graham, etc., have never been subject to enforcement of this rule because to do so would simply be politically dangerous. Notice that Louis Farrakhan and the Nation of Islam WERE subject to this rule, but the Graham family has de facto protection from the law.

Something else to be enraged about: some states have arbitrarily determined that a more religious parent is better suited to raise a child, despite the higher crime rate, drop-out rate, teen pregnancy rate, STD infection rate, etc., of the very religious. When children are being divided between divorced parents for custody, courts in Mississippi and Alabama have actually used the religiosity of a parent as a factor for determining which parent is better-suited to raise a child. In fact, in one Mississippi case (see source below), religiosity was MORE important than the fact that the other parent was demonstrably better able to care for the child's well-being in terms of education, health care, living conditions, living standards, and so on.

Answer 2

If there was only one religion given tax-exempt status, then the answer to your question might be yes. However, all churches, synagogues, mosques, and other faith groups enjoy this benefit. Whether Christians or any other religious groups give appropriately to their community is a separate, and legitimate, concern.

IMHO, the founding fathers were most concerned about the govt not allowing the people to worship as they chose by establishing one faith and then forcing that on the population. Things may not be perfect but most Americans do have the freedom to worship how and where they want, or to not worship at all.

Answer 3

The tax exemption is allowed for All religions. No single religion is "respected" here. I personally think they should tax them. Not all of the money the church brings goes back into the community in the form of charity works. In fact, I would say very little does. Look around at the massive churches with ornate stained glass windows and plush carpeting. Look at all of the money that goes into these churches. Do ya think god will be impressed with Bellvue Baptist Church when he comes back? "Oh yes Beautiful church, look at those tapestries, look at the huge monstrously expensive crosses on the front lawn. You can all go into heaven, Good Job"....doubt it. I passed by a beautiful church the other day. There was a homeless man sleeping on the front steps beneath the locked hand carved walnut doors.

Answer 4

The "establishment" clause only is to prohibit the government from creating a state religion - such as The Church of England. Forced state religion was what many of the early English settlers in America were fleeing from

Answer 5

Amendment I: Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.

The money people contribute has already been taxed, two times at least. So you want a third tax. I disagree. I want less tax.

Answer 6

Because the First Amendment was never intended to become what it means today. In fact, the Congress building itself was used as a church.

The reason that churches aren't taxed is because they provide an intangible benefit to the communities in which they reside. The government has long recognized that institutions of faith and houses of worship have provided vital services to our communities and our nation. In fact, our public policy has been to honor the valuable contributions of these organizations with an exemption from taxes both for the organizations themselves and for the individuals and groups who support them.

Answer 7

In November 2006 I went to London England for Thanksgiving. I spent some time looking at the Churches there, some that are over 1000-years old!

The Church of England is the Established Church there in England, and MOST people do not attend Church! There are more Mosques that are attended there in London, than Christian Churches!

With either Government Mandated Church as in England -OR- the Freedom of Religion as we have here in America, THERE ARE STILL THOSE THAT MOCK GOD, and His Word!

Thanks, RR, http://home.att.net/~roger459

Answer 8

A narrow view.... How many organizations have tax exempt status? Is a church an organization. It fits. No issue with separation of church and state

Answer 9

It also says they ought to not make any limiting them both. If church homes in advantageous condition the criteria for non-earnings agencies than they ought to not be taxed and in the journey that they don't then they ought to, yet ya won't be able to easily lead them to pay taxes because they're a church.

Answer 10

They give tax exempt status to all not for profits, which is what a church is. Therefore its not against the establishment clause.