2007-03-26 17:10:10 · 28 answers · asked by ? 6 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Interesting that I'm just writing a paper on income taxes and churches.
Though I can see validation for exemption from taxes, I can also see validation for paying taxes. Certainly the charitable works of churches deserve the break (it takes the load off the government to provide those services). I'm not sure that simply providing religion is of benefit to enough of the community to warrant a tax exemption.
Given the ridiculous and flagrant wasting of money by the mega churches, I would like to see tax exemption limited to only charitable works, but the First Amendment leads me to believe that we should not interfere with the workings of the church by taxing them. I could argue the other way, though, just as effectively.
2007-03-26 17:23:19 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
No. If they paid taxes then they'd feel like they somehow are entitled to have demands and obligations met by the government to whom they pay them to. While the fact that they pay no taxes has helped to make all religious organizations able to operate easily in our nation, thus allowing even the smallest minority the ability to have meeting places, houses of worship, etc of their own, the fact remains that the main reason that our founding fathers thought it best to not have them pay taxes was so that they could not use the excuse "as a tax paying institution" to demand things from the government. They are not obligated to pay anything to the government or to participate in government. The individual citizens that make up the religious organization are still responsible for paying their taxes because they receive benefits from the government, etc. And while currently there is some tax money that is sent to religious organizations that provide social and community services that the government would ordinarily provide through its own agencies, the government has strict rules and regulations regarding the use of that money that it not be used for religious purposes, that the services that are provided occur away from religious services and not at the same times as religious services, that the services provided not be denied to anyone regardless of religious belief, and that the people receiving the services are not proselytized to. Should the religious organization violate these rules and regulations not only does the funding cease for the services, but also the government can fine the organization for violation of the law (and fines can be a lot more than the government would have ever made in just having them pay taxes!)
2007-03-26 21:15:48 · answer #2 · answered by gabriel_zachary 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If they were to dump all the charity work they have been providing for society for years back on to the backs of society you would be doing some major butt kissing. Think it through before you make your intended inflammatory comments. Or next time when you show up at the salvation army their store may be empty.
2007-03-26 17:27:10 · answer #3 · answered by Edward J 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i don't think they should, that would be the same thing as making god pay taxes. but i believe they have to pay property taxes unless there is a grave yard on the land. i know any land that has one or more graves are excluded from taxes
2007-03-26 17:14:52 · answer #4 · answered by unitedfaith 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Yes. The exemption presumably dates back to the English common law, but it cannot be justified in the light of the Establishment of Religion clause and the 14th Amendment.
2007-03-26 17:14:25 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
That would violate separation of church and state, and the establishment of a state religion.
Check out the Constitution of the United States
2007-03-26 17:15:00 · answer #6 · answered by Free To Be Me 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No, and each employee of a church pays income tax just like everyone else
2007-03-26 17:15:06 · answer #7 · answered by tebone0315 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Of course not. When a church offers social services does the government expect to pay for that. No way.
2007-03-26 17:15:05 · answer #8 · answered by Fish <>< 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
If they dig much deeper into our government, they should.
BTW, if they provide social services under the guise of government-approved "faith based organizations" isn't that mixing church and state? IMHO, this is unconstitutional.
2007-03-26 17:22:27 · answer #9 · answered by catrionn 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Absolutely!!!!!!!!!!!!
There are a lot of Pat Robertsons out there who are living high on the hog, preaching for Jesus' sake and all tax free.
How can we have separation of church and state while we have preferential treatment of religions?
Live well.....
illuminostic
P.S. I wonder if the guy who answered no is a preacher.
2007-03-26 17:19:44 · answer #10 · answered by illuminostic_1 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋