Why are churches still tax exempt?

Question

This seems ridiculous to me. They also get "non-profit" pricing from many manufacturers, etc. But the fact is, churches are not "non profit". They are nothing BUT profit, and it seems like, in this day and age, it's a ridiculous concession to make to them.

Have any politicians made a point to change this? (I'll bet most of them would be afraid to touch it. Church boycotts run this country, for the most part...)

By the by: I'm not "Captain Atheism". There was nothing in this question that is offensive or violates the "terms or use". It was censored for no reason, so it deserves to be asked again.

Answer 1

I agree... Hey get all those God haters some smelling salts. Still I agree that Churches should pay their share of the states expenses. Yes they pay a water bill. So do I in my home. The pray and worship in the church, it's a place of non profit activities... So is my home, I pray and worship here too. Still I pay taxes, so should they! Back in the first century it was common to have the Church assemble in one of the homes of the believers. No Huge Cathedrals were needed. No Huge Temples were built. In the small local church that I attend we rent commercial space in a strip mall..... Don't go thinking for a minute that we didn't pay taxes there they were figured into our rent. Why should a big rich church get a tax break when a small poor one has to pay? Tax everyone. It's the only FAIR way.... Jim

Answer 2

The "profits" that a church gains do not go to private citizens. The church leaders may be compensated for their work (as would the Exec. Dir. of the United Way), but they do not get a part of the profit. What makes a company for profit is that private citizens take home the money. In the case of a church, the money goes to benefiting the community via charities and general church administration. While some televangelists abuse the status and do benefit from the profits, churches only funnel this money back into the community.

Answer 3

I agree, church homes could be taxed like all different business enterprise components tax, earnings tax etc. additionally the exemption for monks and Pastors from paying Social risk-free practices could additionally be abolished. of path all of those books, tapes, video clips provided on those television shows - yours for a small donation of regardless of could be difficulty to sales tax. A tax exemption quantities to a subsidy and the U. S. should not be in touch in subsidizing faith or the rest for that remember, if it won't be able to survive in the unfastened industry it would be allowed to bypass. That being pronounced, If the U. S. government have been reduced in size all the way down to that is constitutional limits a brilliant share of the taxes being paid to the federal government could be pointless and neither the guy or the church homes could could pay an earnings tax.

Answer 4

Churches are tax exempt because, while they do taken in money from their members, the money that isn't used to keep the church running, is given away to help the needy. Churches donate millions of dollars to the homeless, starving people, third world countries, victims of natural disaster, children's charities, the list goes on and on. Why should churches be made to pay taxes on money they give away? This makes no sense, because they would then have less money to give to the needy.

As for churches getting concessions from businesses, that does happen. My store gives a discount to churches, but we also give the same discount to teachers, librarians, soldiers, police officers, firemen, and charities.

Answer 5

You are seeing the few really large churches as profitable. Many small churches have meager earnings and give it back to the community.

My step-father is a pastor of a small church, he does not make much money, and their church funds and supports all kinds of mission trips and needy families in the area. They do not have some grand chapel, it is a one room building with just a few rows of seats - yes just plain ole' chairs, no fancy pews.

Answer 6

actually ther is at least one city in texas where this has become a problem and the local government is trying to put a cap on the number of churches, because the churches have driven out all the businesses, and there is nothing left that pays taxes in order for the town to run on

Answer 7

Charitable work just ought to be exempt (it is - you deduct charitable donations from your income at tax time). Advocacy ought not. When the priest/minister/rabbi stands in front of the assembled crowd and says "God would want this" or "God seems to come down against that", that's advocacy and the church should become liable for any moneys expended on that and any similar gathering.

(and if you really pressed me, yes, if they hand out pamphlets at the soup kitchen would also be a form of advocacy but less onorous than advocating political causes).

Answer 8

being tax-exempt simply is intended to ensure separation of church and state. if church's had to pay taxes, they would also have to receive help from the government in other areas. this way, the churches can run how they want with no government involvement. however, the churches seem to want to run into government, but thats another question!

Answer 9

Do you think that the church is subservient to the state? Does the church have to get permission before it takes a position from the state?

Freedom of religion means freedom from the state. When the state controls the church, there is no freedom of religion.

Answer 10

Because there is no separation of church and state in the U.S. There is in principle, but not in practice. World-wide, the Catholic church is essentially one of the largest businesses on the planet - big, big business.