Why do most ministers oppose taxing churches? Wouldn't that free them up to be more vocal?

Question

Interesting point Sammer.

Answer 1

It's getting so hard to tell between politicians and ministers these days (both very liberal and conservative ones). I think they should ABSOLUTELY be taxed. They do speak out their political views and write letters to the newspaper, carry signs, openly work for particular parties at election time (and their whole town knows they are pastors), attend and are vocal at political rallies (or demonstrations), etc. Of course, they shouldn't engage in these things (people in other careers are forbidden to do so) but since they do, I am all FOR taxation of the churches; it is nonsense that they don't pay their fair share like other BUSINESSES.

If anyone hears of such doings, there is a site to report them, www.ratoutachurch.com so use it when you need it.

Answer 2

Most AMericans oppose religious institutions paying taxes as it leads to seperation of church and state issues. The government could manipulate religion by taxing it into non-existence, or manipulatively taxing it - taxing churches per statue, for example. That would tax catholacism more, Portestantism less, and Mosques and synagogues not at all.

Also, it could lead to religion manipulating government. If churches are taxed, it is in the interest of the government to promote church attendance as the greater number of tithers the greater ammount of taxable income.

A more likely scenario is one of Churches using their presence to sway state votes on key issues important to them. For example, if churches were taxed on property and tithing income; the Catholic church could threaten to abandon all of its churches and move to home worship, and not accept tithes in States voting on gay marriage proposals if the proposals passed. TIthes could be mailed to out of state diocese instead. Rather than lose so much tax income, legislators would likely just shelf the proposal.

The church could also "bid" the opening of large Cathedrals to those areas willing to pass laws to its liking. A large Cathedral would mean a great deal of property and tithing income tax.

YOu see the point.

Answer 3

All not-for-profit organizations are tax-exempt. It is that non-profit designation that allows a church to be exempt from taxes, not merely the fact that they are a church (more on that below).

I suppose this is because taxes are meant to take a portion of what we earn, and since the church itself spends most of its money on community outreach (booo for non-necessary "building improvements!!"), this is considered an activity that is almost an unofficial arm of the government-- in the sense that the church is taking care of the community. The government and it's citizens (ideally) benefit from this because church outreaches do all kinds of good things like reduce recidivism (prison outreaches), reduce crime, feed homeless folks, teach English as a second language, provide low-cost daycare... all kids of good things.

And churches also save souls, of course, which the government cannot intrude on, participate in, or hinder. This is inherent in the idea of "separation of church and state," discussed most famously in America by Jefferson and Madison.

"... no man shall be compelled to frequent or support any religious worship, place, or ministry whatsoever, nor shall be enforced, restrained, molested, or burthened in his body or goods, nor shall otherwise suffer on account of his religious opinions or belief; but that all men shall be free to profess, and by argument to maintain, their opinion in matters of religion, and that the same shall in no wise diminish enlarge, or affect their civil capacities." (Jefferson; in Wikipedia)

"Madison wrote, and he declared, "practical distinction between Religion and Civil Government is essential to the purity of both, and as guaranteed by the Constitution of the United States" (1811 letter to Baptist Churches)." (Wikipedia)

So churches shouldn't be taxed simply because they are churches. And yes, churches often give funds to certain political figures or to support their ideals, but so does every non-profit (and that right to petition the government is also protected by the First Amendment).

To be more specific to your question, ministers can be as vocal as they like. I don't think the tax laws have much to do with a person's level of activism. Don't quote me on that, though... that's a question for the tax people. :)

Answer 4

because the church is a non-profit religious org. and taxing it would give the govt power over what the church can and cant do and all the loopholes that go into taxes and not to mention the pull the govt will have on religious orgs.

Answer 5

The power to tax is the power to destroy. Why is the government allowed to tax citizens?

Answer 6

They oppose it because it means less cash in their pockets. When they do get taxed it only means they will have to try and fleece their congregations more.

Atheism. You know it makes sense.

Answer 7

Because (according to most religions) that money is not the government's to tax. It's (a) god's money. You ain't takin' no money away from (a) god!

Answer 8

The minister should 'preach' what (the issue), not who (the candidate).

Answer 9

Most would oppose this as it would open thier books to scrunity that they don'e want.