Do you think it's fair that churches get huge tax breaks?

Question

Doesn't this fall under separation of church and state?

Or should Bible thumpers like Ted Haggard continue to get tax free prostitues and drugs?

Answer 1

There should be no free rides. I've seen a megachurch go in on high dollar land near a freeway interchange. They have an indoor basketball court, information booths, the works. They even want to install an indoor swimming pool (in a church?). They don't pay one penny in taxes, yet get free police and fire protection, free street repairs to the church, you name it. The city is screwed, they can't do anything about it; the church has even gotten out of having to meet local fire codes!

As far as I'm concerned, if I still lived there, my tax dollars would be supporting a church, so I feel that it DOES violate establishment of religion. There should be no property tax exemptions for ANY non-profit organization, church or otherwise. Unfortunately, a Republican Congress got a federal law written prohibiting states, counties, and cities from collecting property taxes on churches. It's time to be repealed.

Answer 2

I don't care about the prostitutes and drugs thing - I'm not a Christian, so such things don't really concern me.

What DOES concern me is that churches, by law, are prohibited from engaging in partisan politics, and that some people want to change that.

Churches that receive tax exemptions can't participate in partisan political campaigns and there are church/state separation arguments in defense of this policy — but the simple fact of the matter is that this is a rule that all tax-exempt charities must follow. Is the United Way prevented from endorsing a political candidate because of the principle of church/state separation? No. The reason is that tax-exempt charitable contributions can't be used for partisan political purposes.

Some people want to change the tax laws so that churches can become partisan political machines, which is silly enough, but even worse is the fact that they don't want to do the same for other charitable organizations. In other words, it's not that they object to the current tax code on principle but rather they object to the fact that churches have to abide by the same rules as everyone else.

Hmmmmm...they don't want to abide by the same rules as everyone else. Sound familiar?

Answer 3

If the majority of their incomes going to the production of educational materials and teaching the masses, than no. But, if it goes to simply building bigger Churches with expensive and elaborate art work, as well as expensive homes for the elite of the church, than yes.

Churches should be voluntary organizations, where no one gets paid to do God's work. But, that is only possible by teaching everyone to do God's work, where everyone is a minister and can be an elder or overseer at one time or another, on a rotational basis.

Thee is a problem with making churches taxable. Their property would gain value, making it a target for developers and eminent domain.

As for paying taxes and separating church and state, Jesus was the first to propose that.

Answer 4

I've been thinking about this. I agree that most of what they do is a direct benefit to the community, but I'm not sure how I feel about the funding for their religious activities (mass, sermons, etc.) being tax free. In general, any "profit" raised by churches does not go to any private individuals (the church can pay a salary to its staff, but that is not the same as the profit going to the individuals). However, the "profits" do go to funding religious activities, and I don't necessarily think those benefit the community in a way that garners tax exempt status. I think only the funds that go to charity works should be tax free.

Televangelists tend to abuse this tax exemption and that should be shut down.

Answer 5

As one answerer already points out, religion has become pretty big business and hence that income ought to be taxed. But I'd be comfortable for little neighborhood churches to be able to file special exemption. Mostly these small local churches have very limited funds raised by the collection plate to which attending members contribute; and the occasional rummage sale. The preacher to these little groups usually has a "day job", and what they pay him for his services as their pastor is most assuredly not going to buy him any Rolex Watches or thousand dollar suits. Let them keep the willingly donated funds to pay him fairly for what he does, pay the utilities on their churchhouse, and its general maintenance. The church across the road from us just had to have a complete new roof, which was in pretty bad condition
But these huge "religion enterprises" with their enormous gatherings, and all the pomp and display, and thousands of people pouring money in. Heck yes, Tax the bejaysus out of 'em right along with all the rest of "God's Children" LOL

Answer 6

Some Church take advantage of this. Most do not. Most Churches are there to help and feed people with food pantries and collections for the poor. It costs a lot to heat and maintain the churches and the flock is not always willing to put in the extra money needed to do this. If one were to add taxes on top of all of the other expenses, many churches would have to close and those who benefit most, the poor, would suffer the most.

Answer 7

Yes, they should. It is clear to me that you do not know what Churches do in your community. Like feed the hungry, clothes for kids. Most of them have some kind of outreach program that helps the community. Ted Haggard, is a poor example. Check out your local Churches.

Answer 8

Yes, because they also don't get any government funding. Other charitable organisations can get government assistance but churches are all on their own. My church has a school also and the parents have to pay school taxes for public schools when their children don't even attend public school. And the parents have to foot the $8,000 yearly tuition bill themselves without any help from the government.

Answer 9

There is a Hugh difference between a church and a thief,televangelist.Yes a church should not be taxed.
They help the poor,what about millionaires, they go
on investing so no taxes, while the cold hungry hard
working man is trying to feed his children.He gets so
slammed with taxes, now that is wrong.

Answer 10

There is a church in Pasadena, CA who's tax exempt status the IRS has challenged because the preacher was telling the congregation to vote for Bush. I'm afraid you are right that there is a lot of abuse going on.