Should the Catholic Church keep its tax-exempt status?

Question

Read this:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071114/ap_on_re_us/catholic_bishops

According to federal law, a religious institution loses its tax-exempt status if it promotes a particular political agenda or candidate. The Catholic bishops may not mention any candidates or parties by name, but it's obvious where they stand. Not only that, but the Church is obviously promoting a political agenda.

I know that the Catholic Church isn't the only religious institution that is guilty of this. I think that ANY religious institution that allows a candidate to campaign on its premises should automatically lose its tax-exempt status. Not only that, but I certainly don't think that the likes of Jesse Jackson, Al Sharpton, or Pat Robertson should be exempt from paying taxes, either.

Answer 1

The Church is primarily a spiritual body. But she is also a moral teacher.

If people are going to make moral issues into political ones then they should not complain when the Church uses its freedoms of speech and religion.

When you look at the 1.1 billion believers worshiping in over 200,000 parishes worldwide you can see that the Catholic Church is a spiritual entity.

However the Church is also a moral teacher and has been teaching the world what it believes God thinks is right and wrong for almost 2,000 years.

The Church looks to protect human dignity and human rights and does not for look for political power. Church leaders are barred from political office by Church law (not civil law).

Jesus said, "Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you." (Matthew 28:18-20)

The Catholic Church has been teaching world governments what it believes is right and wrong since the ancient Romans stopped persecuting it and long before anyone heard of the freedom of speech.

The Catholic Church protested about the blood sports in the Roman Colosseum and they were stopped.

The Catholic Church supported the Polish Solidarity movement and the Soviet Union fell apart.

I don't think the Church is going to (or should) stop teaching the world governments what is right or wrong now.

Remember the Catholic Church proposes. It does not impose.

With love in Christ.

Answer 2

While the Catholic church should definately think about reforming some of its views to more match todays society, I think that what the law was intended on was to keep out an theocracy and so as long as the politicians are not saying the exact view points of the church that the church should retain its tax-exempt status. The problem here is you can't tell if its the politicians who are just extremely religious or if its the churches trying to gain power. So while the Church is setting standards for living so standards are what makes up the political system as well. The line is to fuzzy to really tell.

Answer 3

To imagine that church & state are "separate" is no longer ignorance, since history has proven otherwise many times over.

Makes one wonder, though...isn't omission of known truth, lying by intent??? Don't tell the masses that Catholics/Christians defile their own commandments..how could that be so??? (LOL) I know...the devil makes them do it!!! LOL

Sorry for the humor in a not so laughable matter, but often the non-sense is overwhelming. Actually, I see organized religion as being just as much of a business as any other, and never understood how they get away without being taxed as such...guess they can afford the best of the loophole lawyers with all those non-profit monies.(LOL) But heck, they literally got away with mass murdering, so tax evasion is just cake to them. Funny, how we still seek people for "war crimes"--their inhumane tortures & brutal annihilations have no statute of limitations, but "Church" was never held responsible for their plays in the games...the things that make ya go "Hmmm!!!"??? I say "Tax 'Em till it hurts!!!" (LOL)

Answer 4

yes they should. Catholics already get treated unfairly by the government. God doesn't ask for more than 10% of our earnings and the government shouldn't be to have any more of our money than10%. Whats so bad about not supporting abortion and tell their follower of the faith not to vote for those candidates when abortion is aginst the church? It is against humanity! Abortion is evil! Any way I don't think its fair that people who send there kids to Catholic school have to pay taxes to school districts that arn't doing there job to educate. That money should go to there kids or at least half of it should.

Answer 5

Gosh, Yes remove the church tax exempt status &
enable the govt to start funding the churches with lots of
tax money and control them with tax refunds and govt grants

and then it will be permissible to infiltrate the clergy, run for

legitimate public office and teach what WE believe
in public schools (school prayer will be controlled &
financed by church tax money) and that way we
establish a national religion based on our own politics.

darned great idea that will confound them. it's
unanimous, in its appeal and how sneaky to get tax
money from the church while beating them at their game.
marvelous idea that is so brilliant!
you came up with a winner! You must be special!

Answer 6

Name a church that does not do this. It is the job of a religious body to spread its beliefs. However, to remove the tax exempt status walks a fine line I would rather not cross.

Answer 7

No. The catholic church isn't giving money to a politcal party. They are just trying to help people decided whos the best person morally to vote for. They arent saying vote for Thompson in 08' cause he's pro-life. So leave my church alone and go pick on the mormans and muslims

Answer 8

Yea, and while we're at it...what "church" is Jesse Jackson or Al Sharpton a "reverend" of?

There's an IRS investigation that should have happened a looooong time ago

Answer 9

They are abiding by the law...there is nothing in federal law that says they cant have a stand on moral isusues.... Wouldn't It would be somewhat illogical for a church not to have a stand on moral issues?

Answer 10

I don't think any church should have tax-exempt status. I'm sick of churches (covertly) politicking, and the clergy seem more interested in filling their coffers than in helping their communities.