Why are Propaganda Centres for Supernatural Mumbo Jumbo given Tax Free status?

Question

I mean Churches, Mosques, Synagogues, Faith Schools, etc

Answer 1

a)Because they are technically not businesses. (Although many really are);

b)Because we have freedom of religion, and if religious orgs were taxed, the government would have control over them, and they would also be entitled to representation, which would mean that government would not be religion-neutral.

c)Becasue the law specifies that educational and religious institutions be tax free, and if we were to tax some forms of these orgs and not others, the government would then be judging what constitutes "legitimate" education and religion...and thus woul be in control of these things.

Answer 2

Churches themselves are nominally supported by followers who donate (or tithe) money to that purpose. The donors have already paid taxes on that money and are giving it in the belief that it is going towards good works, so it's reasonable for money being used to maintain the Church and its charitable activities should be tax-exempt.

Also, if Churches are taxed, they can rightfully claim the right to participate in politics (no taxation without representation, after all), and that would seriously erode the separation of Church and State.

I think that any property that a religious organization owns other than a place of worship itself (church, mosque, synagogue, temple whatever) should definately be taxed, based on both property taxes and income (for things like church halls, office space, parsonages etc.).

I also think that any money the Church gets from sources other than donation or tithes (i.e. investments, bequests, fundraising etc.) should also be taxed.

Answer 3

Good question! The Church of England is one of the biggest landowners in Engand, it has money invested in its billions in workd wide business, the catholic church is so succesful in busines it has its own bank, it even has been proved to have people executed to avoid truths behind dodgy dealings, I cant quote on any other denominations or faiths. Every weekend they fill their buildings and the punters leave money, tax free! The list is endless...... I say tax em!!!!!!! I pay why shouldnt they?

Answer 4

Such groups are only given charitable status because they are involved in such mumbo jumbo as feeding the hungry, giving support to the lonely, counselling the distressed, running rehab units, etc., etc.
Seems fair eneough.

Answer 5

Beats me and in this country we actually pay for CofE Churches through our taxes

Answer 6

Yes - they run charitable operations.

The fact that their charitable operations are basically conversion centers which attract the emotionally vulnerable is surely beside the point.

Answer 7

So that monkeys like you are forced to pay for it. Don't it just make you smile every time you break a buck.

Answer 8

Ask them next time your in their food line.

Answer 9

because they are the creaters of the world, in other word they own the land,sweet!