Homosexuality in the Church Serious question?

Question

If Churches do not pay taxes ( Canada and US ) ...
Bill of Rights and the Charter of Rights and Freedoms both state that it is illegal to discriminate on Sexuality, then MY money is going to organisations who are breaking the laws of the country I live in. Don’t you think that if Churches use public money ( no taxes ) don’t they have to adhere to the laws of that country

delsinelu:

Actually it isnt different

if you are paid 50000/yr from your employer for things you do .. then your take home = 50000 - 15000 (TAX) = 35000 ( your money ) ... 15000 Governments money ( I am a member of this country thus my governments money is my money )

Church makes 100000 in donations ..
if Taxes they would pay 50000 in Tax again MY money .. Thus they would have 50000 ( thier money ) by not charging tax it is the same as the govenment ( again MY money ) GIVING them 50000

Um guys IT is agains the law in the US and CANADA to descriminate on the basis of sexuallity .. if you dont believe me call the ALCU ..

Second .. If your church paid taxes then you would be correct my money does not support your church and I would be the first guy in line to defend what every belief you had ..

zoobrenok: Actually you make a good point .. this is a thought out answer to a question. I appreciate it

And frankly I do support your comments as well as the point about the IRS .. please dont assume that asking a question assumes no knowledge of the subject at hand. you bring up a very good point .. works done by Churches are valuable ( Churches that do works ) ..

There are cases to be made on both sides .. where I believe the issue lies personnally is when organisations force their beliefs and values on others ... GOP and the Religious Right spring to mind .. ..

zoobrenok: Oh see now you went and got personall I was all good right up untill I read your amendment..

Answer 1

Some of these people seem not to realize that unlike their invisible sky god worshiping church, gays are not exempt from paying taxes. They should have the same protections as everyone else.

Apparently, these people have never heard of the "faith based" funding that George bush is trying to give to churches.

Answer 2

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof...

The church doesn't discriminate against sexuality...atleast MINE doesn't. But if a church, like the Westboro Church, did...it's still the free practice...which is NOT breaking the law.

And there is a difference between NOT PAYING taxes and receiving tax payer's money.

Answer 3

I'm Christian and I don't see why Churches don't pay taxes. At the very least property and income tax. I mean, Churches benefit from public defense and clergy benefit from roads & bridges so why not help pay for them?

But then again, I'm also libertarian so I don't think anybody should pay taxes & most things the government does now should be relegated to the private sector (including welfare, which Churches would be glad to administer, I believe)

My life is a conundrum :D

Answer 4

You tax money doesn't support my church. My tithes do. Also, a country cannot force someone to follow a belief that is against their own religion. That is teetering on freedom of religion. A government cannot do that. Even if there was a law that allowed gays to marry, a church does NOT have to comply to something that is against their own policies.

Answer 5

Churches don't receive federal, or state, funding. Not being required to pay taxes is different than receiving money from the government.

As far as many churches & faiths mistreatment of homosexuals goes; they don't even know their own doctrine. That's where the problem lay... Not with taxes or federal legislation. They should read their own books... and, perhaps, wonder that they fear their all loving god.

Answer 6

1. to be tax free, you need to obey some very heavy laws. called 503(c) compliance.
2. do you know WHY government lets churches go tax-free? - since you asked this question, i assume you don't.
In the mid-20th century, IRS did a research. They compared all the good things churches are able to do in community for their "tax break" total amount with how much it would cost Federal government to do the same. Result - we DO live in capitalistic society where people are not brain-dead.
So, by letting churches to go tax free, you are actually SAVING money. your tax payer money. that you can go and do something else with.
not to mentioned that assumption that you are paying for something that is "tax free" is ridiculous. 'cause churches do not use public money in the way you define public money.
last comment - people who work for church DO pay taxes. there are some special laws for them as well.
one more - churches DO pay taxes. when they buy things they pay taxes like everyone else.
-----------------------------------------------------------
and someone already mentioned - discrimination on sexuality is not in original BoR.
-------------------------------------------------------
also. please be advised that YOUR elected officials pass laws that enable non-profit organizations to function. if you have problem with this - elections are coming soon. either run for office or vote for the right candidate.

what laws i am speaking about? - there are many laws in this country that SPECIFICALLY make exception from the rule on certain subjects.

for example, churches in this country have law-given right to discriminate based on your religion and sexual orientation.
if you have problem with this - see above (about voting)

Church has a right not to hire Muslim as pastor (and vice versa). Tell me this is not about religion being decision maker! If you don't believe me, call ACLU :)
---------------
How much do you REALLY know about faith based initiatives? do you know that it only looks like money go to church but instead they go to do the dirty job of the government? - like feeding homeless, working with kids etc.

--------------

as far as comment about gays and churches paying taxes - you are putting individual into the same category as an organization. there are different regulations for different types of people. leave your hatred at home, read bible and enjoy life as someone who knows where he/she is going to spend eternity.

Answer 7

Well, not really. Seperation of church and state. Most churches are considered non-profit organizations and just like charities, the goverment cant tell them who they can discriminate against etc...Your money (taxes) does not in any way SUPPORT any church. So, thats irrelevant.

Answer 8

The Bill of Rights - the first ten amendments to the Constitution - says nothing about discriminating on sexuality. In fact, I don't believe that's mentioned anywhere in the Constitution. The ERA was, unfortunately, never ratified.

Answer 9

Well I do believe that you should leave your sex at home but I also believe that anyone should be welcome in a true church unless they are causing a sceen or something, the church should not put up with instagaters.

Answer 10

The Bill of Rights/Constitution does not state that it is illegal to discriminate on the basis of sex (or sexuality).