and is this practice common in other western counties?
2007-07-06 20:43:07 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous in Business & Finance ➔ Taxes ➔ United States
Many countries actually collect a church tax from citizens and render it to the churches. Germany does this, at 9% of gross earnings. It is optional now though it wasn't always that way.
Many countries have an official church tied to the government. For example, in the UK it's the Church of England also known as the Anglican Church or Episcopal Church. The official church isn't taxed by the government but actually receives direct support from the government.
I'm very glad that our system explicitly separates the Church from the State. The last thing that I need is the State telling me how to worship or even that I should worship at all.
Right behind that the next last thing I need is some loudmouth on the pulpit telling me how I should vote. The separation of Church and State cuts both ways. A Church that becomes involved in politics risks losing its tax-exempt status. A number of Churches lose their tax-exempt status every year for just that reason.
2007-07-07 07:04:28 · answer #1 · answered by Bostonian In MO 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Too much,if all churches paid taxes this may help bring down the taxes on the poor!!! Yes in most religious countries this seems the practice.
2007-07-06 21:02:56 · answer #2 · answered by 121aloraphotos 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The government loses absolutely nothing. In the US there are tax exempt churches and many other organizations. They pay for goods and services and tax dollars are spun off from the general course of business anyway.
2007-07-07 06:11:19 · answer #3 · answered by acmeraven 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
None. You cannot lose what you never had. If you think churches should be taxed, think a little. Churches are non-profit, as are many other organizations. Maybe we should tax cancer, diabetes etc research. Then we would have more money to waste.
2007-07-06 21:00:15 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
What do you care if the government loses money? Are you a believer in taxation? I'm glad the churches are exempt. It seems the only one who isn't getting taxed is God!
Go lay down, you liberal !!
2007-07-06 20:53:29 · answer #5 · answered by C J 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is a common practice in Christian countries
2007-07-06 22:13:40 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
No more than they'd throw away.
2007-07-06 20:54:52 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋