should churches be tax exempt?

Question

By accepting tax exempt status, they are supposed to refrain from endorsing candidates, discussing legislation, etc. So, would freeing them to speak openly give the church a greater impact on society, or would breaking the political barrier further pollute the church, which has already been prophesied to turn from the true faith? Should we be content with muzzled ministers and rely on the Spirit of God to take up the slack, or should we require them to render unto Caesar and suffer the slings and arrows of outrageous politicization?
As anyone who goes to church knows, it's not hard to figure out where your clergy stands on issues and candidates.

tebone: where did you hear that? my research shows only about 5% goes to assistance.

kickinupfunf: that's not what the law says.

zero: your pastor is one year old?

Answer 1

Hell no, they enjoy the same freedoms the rest of us have to pay for. They should be taxed and homeless shelters could be set up with the money. or they could get a tax break if they run a shelter or food bank.

Answer 2

YES !!! Churches support " Private " Christian Schools at no expense or cost to the government or you ! Churches sponsor Homeless Shelters , Soup Kitchens , and Rescue Missions, again at no cost to you or the govenment ! If the Church were taxed on these expenses , you would be complaining about the tax deductions the Church would be getting !! Christian " Home Schooling parents pay taxes but do not send their children to tax dependent " public " school`s !! How many of you "whiners" on here complaining about what the Church does or doesn`t do have ever donated 1 minute of your free time ( with no pay ) to volunteer to work at one of the "untaxed" havens for folks in need as Church members do ?? About politics in Church , to vote "Biblical" is all that a Christian needs to know about voting , Jesus has already given His speech !!!!! Notice where the real Church political speeches take place ? Just wait and see what Chuches , john edwards , obama , and hillary end up " campaigning in ?? Same places bill clinton , al gore, jesse jackson did their campaigning with full blown "political speeches disguised as sermons " , and there is no doubt where these clergy or their speakers stand on the issues` , and it`s not Bibilical , its`political !!

Answer 3

What the heck does tax exempt have to do with politics.

It is up to the congregation to determine if their appointed leaders are to endorse candidates and the fact that they are given tax exempt status does not muzzle anyone for any reason to speak their mind. For Pete sake the American revolutions was fought from the pulpits long before it became fact in the halls of the townships.

Everyday you see politicians entering churches and preaching their concepts of politics as they see it. Did we not recently have Edward in a very large black church.....

Answer 4

They should not be tax exempt. Many of them make profit that does not help the community in anyway. A lot of donations go to paying for the lavish lifestyles of priests and ministers. Also, almost all churches take a political stance and endorse some politicians. In fact, most churches openly oppose Democratic candidates. Churches have become money-mongering institutions and are becoming overly bloated. Churches need to stay out of political affairs if politicians are to stay out of religious affairs.

Answer 5

The church is tax exempt for one reason only, because the majority of the money goes to help those in need. But all who work for a church are not tax exempt and pay taxes just like we do. So yes they can have an opinion on who to vote for just like everyone else has an opinion.

Answer 6

I do not agree with churches being tax exempt because we are to render unto Cesar what is Cesar's. In Canada church's are tax if they are a registered charity. In Canada one can go on-line to the Charities Directorate and view all registered charities financial information. In section C2 of the T3010 the Charity gives of description of the Charitable work they do. One year I gave approx. $1, 600. Another year $1,995. I know that is not allot considering the Church I attended takes in between $500 - $600, 000 each year. For all the money they took in I do not think they fulfilled the description in section C2. I sent them an email stating that and the next year I noticed the areas I mentioned were omitted from the description listed in section C2. What is my point. I do not think Churches do any charitable work.

Answer 7

Churches should be silent on the issues of political candidates. They should never try to persuade their congregation to vote for any candidate, that's just wrong. Each person should decide who they wish to vote for.

Answer 8

Yes as long as we have freedom of religion. It cant be controlled by taxation. I am an Atheists but I believe in the Constitution.

Answer 9

Taking their money means placing them in the political realm. I want them as far from that as possible. In extreme cases....like Melissa Scott....or Pat Robertson....they should ABSOLUTELY be taxed. There are non-political requirements for non-profits.....and they are often ignored.

Both sides do this....the NAACP is as guilty of it as Pat Robertson.

Answer 10

yes! many churches are in a lot of debt, like mine, and need many donations. they cant afford to pay taxes. besides, they are non-profit. you wouldnt make a one year old pay taxes, would you?