Would you support a law that does away with any tax exempt status for religious organizations, churches, etc?

Question

Should religions pay taxes to the government (property taxes, income, etc)?

Answer 1

No--most churches do a great deal of charity work, which improves our society overall and thus improves our country. However, I'd like to see the tax-exemption status of churches more vigilantly monitored than they have been in the past. There's no excuse for pastors living in multiple mansions, driving really expensive cars, etc. Nor is there an excuse for ANYONE to use money donated to a charity in that manner.

Answer 2

I think these organizations should have to follow certain guidelines to remain exempt from following the same laws as any other business.

There are some religions that are formed for the sole purpose of raising tax-free funds. There are also religions who form to avoid government interference but are really forming militias. I'm not saying that forming militias is wrong as this is our 2nd Amendment right, but merely using this as an example of a non-charitable organization that may call themselves a religious name to avoid taxes.

There are many small churches across the country who are struggling to keep their churches open due to rising expenses. We should never place a tax burden on people whose purpose is to meet in a building or anywhere else to worship. That is just wrong and very unconstitutional.

I think we may need better guidelines as to what is considered a place of worship and its intentions.

Answer 3

I've been yapping about that for years. We have several dozens of churches in our town..some mainline, some scams, some cults and they all get to skate on property taxes....we lose millions of dollars every year in tax increment while they enjoy the municipal services the rest of us pay for. Churches are private clubs...just like the Elks or the Moose....why they get a break has always been a mystery to me. People that say 'they do good work' as an excuse for passing off the tax burden on the community are way off base. You should 'do good work' anyway. These guys have been getting away with tax evasion long enough....send 'em bill and make 'em pay!

Answer 4

this issue needs some serious restructure, sadly, it is being used to create loopholes for many orgs to collect funds that have nothing to do with altruistic intents.

any orgs supporting subversive organizations that work for the overthrow of our government. any org that support 'umbrella' groups should be denied this status. there should be some method in place to monitor these and some penalty should be levied for this misuse of funds.

Americans are very generous and big hearted. we open our pocketbooks and our hearts to help those who are struck with misfortunes. they are using this against us.

i have several expamples of this misuse.

the catholic church who gives sanutary to those who have broken our immigration laws. it is their right to give sancutary but if they choose to exersise these rights then they should NOT receive our tax dollars and they break the rule of separation between church and state.

mulsim orgs that contribute to charities of radical groups who have a clear agenda of hate for all who are not muslims. (C.A.R.E.)

La Raza, who seems to be great ,upon first glance, if you are a certain segement of the latino population but who actually support other orgs that are clearly racist. this org receives federal funding as well as grants by major corps. verizon is one of the current ones.

unscrupulous people posing as christians who bilk the poor and uneducated out of billion. they live in obscene luxuary while those who contribute live in poverty.

while many orgs do good work and have pure motives, there will always be those who's greed or political agenda will misuse our good nature.

my personal peeve is the ACLU, who clearly has an agenda to destroy the average american, under the agenda of helping the underdog.

so yes i would support such a law but with some reservations.

Answer 5

It will be answered in a very diplomatic way.
Religious or ganisations are the place where people go for confessions and to creanse their mind and soul finally making the world a better place to live in and reducing the crime rate.
So it is better to pay a tax and not to get cheated or looted.
If such organisations are contributing to the society in such a way then there should be tax exemption made on those.
As such organisation have no greed for money and they consider it as a piece of paper and keep value in human being and give most of their funds in charity.

Answer 6

First, they run many categories of charitable amenities like food pantries, homeless shelters, battered women human beings shelters, and others, so which you will possibly tax them would placed this manner of burden on the taxpayer. 2nd, there is not any violation of the 1st modification; mosques, temples, and synagogues are additionally tax exempt. Edit: "And church homes are no longer non-earnings. seem in any respect the multimillion-greenback church homes everywhere. those church homes did no longer have that funds while they have been based, they obtained it later, and invested it into assets which they now very own. it is popular as earnings." No, it is an expenditure, actually; given your desire to command it as a organization, such reintroduction of suggested "earnings" returned into the organization for the purpose of progression and improve are tax deductable for even earnings inspired companies. Edit2: "What area of "observe that charitable activities and donations would nonetheless be tax-exempt regardless of whether or no longer they are accomplished by using religious companies" did no longer you recognize? additionally, sorry, the 1st modification would not say "Congress shall make no regulation respecting a company of religion till IT TREATS different RELIGIONS the comparable", it purely says "Congress shall make no regulation respecting a company of religion." Do you have any valid factors to make?" One ingredient i'm already making is which you have absolutley no clue as to what corporation of religion potential. corporation of religion potential that one faith can not be favorite over yet another in the eyes of the government; we are able to under no circumstances formally be a Christian or Jewish or Muslim united states. Granting tax exempt status to ALL religions would not set up a faith. What you in addition to mght fail to seem at, and point out, is something of the 1st modification..."NOR limit THE loose workout THEREOF". You do comprehend that charity IS religious worship, do you no longer? so which you will create a regulation that prohibits my faith from appearing such acts of charity with the aid of fact we would desire to hire accountants and legal experts to pay your government first? Sorry, that PROHIBITS my loose workout. i will inform you hate faith, and you have no longer any clue as to what the 1st modification somewhat potential.

Answer 7

Diminishing faith based orginizations would be a big mistake.

People give money away and feel wonderful. If they get taxed the same amount and watch 30% of it get consumed in government administration they just get really really mad.

The recipeints of the 'generosity' are not going to understand the red tape and the lower yield.

Answer 8

what about charities that get the same privileges...they are a part of the community to help the community...that is why they don't get tax status...so i guess i wouldn't...then they would turn into businesses...and what happen to separation of church and state...or does that mean not church in government but government in the church...

Answer 9

No i would not support such a law. It would hurt more people than the Churches help than it would benefit the Government. We have enough Government without them telling the Churches what they can or cannot do.

Answer 10

Yes, I would. The only reason why they do "charitable" work is because they are trying to get converts to their church...another words they are advertising when they do things, nothing more than another buisiness, period.