If they want to stick their nose in our political system, why can't they pay like the rest of us? And DON'T tell me that they don't because that would be lying or ignorant. (Stem-cell research, abortion, gay marriage, cloning etc...) Those are issues of the church!
2007-10-28 17:22:46 · 22 answers · asked by Mutley 6 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
should be removed-public services are necessary and used for them to function-roads for people to drive there if nothing else-police protection-ect-ect-my tax dollars go to supporting someone elses religion-only way it be fair is if they support mine-------smile and enjoy the night
2007-10-28 17:28:32 · answer #1 · answered by lazaruslong138 6 · 3⤊ 4⤋
Um, wait... Taxing the church would not be prohibiting the free exersize of religion..
By your logic, my house should be tax exempt because..
1.) that's where I pray
2.) I exersise my freedom of speach in my home
I grew up in upstate ny, a highly Jewish community (on weekends and in the summer). While, I have no problem with people being Jewish, I do have a problem with the fact that they would buy up a lot of the land, and get it tax exempt as a "religious retreat", when what they really were, were summer homes, and weekend homes.
My property taxes were HIGHER because I was not Jewish.. So, it seems to me, that I was paying for someone's religion which was not my own.
Do I have a problem with Churches and other religious organizations being tax exempt? NO, Not really, but, when, just because you practice a certain faith, you can buy property and claim as tax exempt at your whim, yeah, I sure do have a problem, especially when, everyday taxpayer joe has to pay higher taxes to make up for the money that the church is not sending to the government.
2007-10-28 17:44:29 · answer #2 · answered by centexdance 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Some churches in the US are far too political and I am very much in favor of eliminating their tax exempt status. On second thought except for the church, temple or mosque structure property tax exemption on all holdings (property) of religious institutions should be eliminated.
If you can find a copy of "Free Ride" The Tax Exempt Economy, you will support the elimination of tax exemptions for universities, non profit charitable organizations in total. Available at Amazon.com, used.
Very partial list of some tax exempt classifications include:
Major Ivy League Universities
Academy of motion picture arts and sciences
Professional sports teams and leagues
Tax exempt organizations are the fastest growing sector of the US economy.
2007-10-28 17:36:43 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Well there is actually laws regarding organizations that participate in issues of that nature. I know because I deal with the 501 C(3) tax-exempt status. Any organization with that type of status is not allowed to promote any candidates for political office, but they do have the rights to speak out regarding issues as every other citizen does, and seeing as all the members of these organizations are "tax payers" of their own private taxes nothing is being done that is illegal. So when you ask if they are paying taxes...yes ...yes they are...the church itself does not, but honestly would it be fair to push tax on an organization that is trying to promote goodness within the community. Now i'm not saying every "church" of any faith is doing the good that I refer to. I do believe that the majority does. So I think the churches having their tax-exempt status helps them to provide more to the community.
2007-10-28 17:30:53 · answer #4 · answered by Noah Vangelon 1 · 4⤊ 1⤋
Recently a pastor of a church did stick his nose in politics and the consequence was his church had to pay taxes. By sticking his nose in politics I mean he said something derogatory against the president. As long as churches stay out of politics, ie not openly supporting a political candidate they get to stay tax free. When they openly support a candidate or discredit one they lose their tax exemption.
2007-10-28 17:37:26 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 1⤋
Churches are charities. Remove the church's tax exempt status, and you would have to do the same for ALL charities because of the 1st Amendment.
Taxing charities makes poor economic sense. If you want to know why, take an economics course.
Congress wants to encourage people to give to private charities, to reduce the public's reliance on tax funded welfare, so charitable donations have always been tax exempt.
2007-10-28 17:29:21 · answer #6 · answered by Ned F 5 · 4⤊ 2⤋
The day after the ACLU loses its tax exempt status. Now there is a group that is truly involved in politics.
To the person below me. The ACLU is tax exempt. Now that is a crime. The whole basis of his argument is that Churches dabble in politics and thus should not be tax exempt. The ACLU does much more than dabble in politics. My church provides services to anyone who we can. Christian or not. We run a food pantry to feed the needy, as do many if not most churches. We also volunteer in a homeless shelter feeding the homeless. A shelter that I might add is run by a religious organization. Quite frankly if you removed the churches from doing charity work, which is what would happen if you started taxing them, little charity work would be done. Like it or not most charity work is done by churches and religious groups. I don't see any atheists groups where I live running homeless shelters or food pantries. Do you?
2007-10-28 17:26:23 · answer #7 · answered by Bible warrior 5 · 5⤊ 5⤋
well, perhaps not every church should be tax exempt but certainly those churches that exhort their congregation to vote for a certain party or candidate or threaten their congregation with spiritual retribution if they vote for a certain party or candidate should lose their tax exemption.
also them fat cat preachers need to be audited now and then. many obviously live a little too large on money meant for charity work.
2007-10-28 17:42:15 · answer #8 · answered by nebtet 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
The Free Exercise Clause within the first amendment reads:
"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof."
Being taxed is obviously 'prohibiting the free exercise' of religion.
2007-10-28 17:27:36 · answer #9 · answered by Rabullione 3 · 4⤊ 1⤋
The issues you cite are humanitarian issues, not political.
Therefore the church has every right to take advantage of the protected right to free speech.
The media and individuals have politicized those issues, but make no mistake, they are humanitarian ones.
2007-10-28 17:31:32 · answer #10 · answered by Bobby Jim 7 · 2⤊ 3⤋
If we start removing tax exempt status, it is only fair (constitutional) to do so to everyone, society would suffer from that. Big Time!
2007-10-28 17:31:23 · answer #11 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 2⤋