I am divided on this issue. Some churches use their tax-exempt status correctly, and provide outreach and helpful services to their communities. However, others get involved in politics and other business they shouldn't be. Therefore, I think the best way to handle it is to revoke tax-exempt status on a case-by-case basis instead of across the board.
There ya go, telling me what the Founding Father had in mind .. and I said please don't. Too bad that we need "a wealth of information" to figure it out, instead of just reading the Constitution. By the way, any clue as to why they said "respecting an establishment of religion" instead of "regarding an establishment of religion" ?
Taxation of churches is against the First Amendment. It interferes with free expression of religion. Or, to quote Judge Marshall, "the power to tax necessarily involves the power to destroy." The only reason people want to tax churches is so that the government can destroy them. Not taxing something is not the same as tax dollars going to it.
"Progressives" have this notion that anything that reduces taxation is the same as giving money to it. They falsely view not taxing churches as being the same as the government donating to that church. It's just a veiled first step at destroying churches. As John Marshal said, "The power to tax necessarily involves the power to destroy."
That is what the OP wants. To take a church's donations away in the form of taxation. The OP has this warped notion that making churches tax-free is the same as the government donating to the churches.
Government money doesn't normally go towards viagra (medicare for example won't pay for it) except in the way it goes towards contraceptives. There is no government requirement for insurance companies to pay for viagra, while there is for contraceptives. Why are you making stuff up? Stick to the truth please.
Stop paying taxes if you want does not bother me. Big brother might not be so happy. Your complaining about streets and fire services fall on deaf ears for me, with 44% of Americans not paying any income tax.
If you don't pay taxes, the fire department will still put the fire out at your house and the police will protect you, and you can still drive (a bicycle) on public roads.
It is....they use a lot of things that are provided to them by taxes....like the street they are on...
FoxHastings said: ↑ It is....they use a lot of things that are provided to them by taxes....like the street they are on... Uh, the church doesn't have an address? With no roads or access how many church goers would get there? The church uses the legal system ...the churches use roads and highways and police and fire and rescue..
How far this country has fallen, it's sad... 1. Healthcare is not a legitimate function of government. At least not the Federal Government. A proper reading of the Constitution renders the issue unconstitutional. Unfortunately, we have activists sitting on the Supreme Court posing as Judges. 2. It is equally unconstitutional for the government to be giving $$ to religious institutions. 3. Churches are nonprofits, and should enjoy the tax exemption that any nonprofit does. Furthermore, though not codified in the Constitution, entangled affairs between church and state are never a good idea.
Progressives view all property, material wealth, and $$ as being "theirs", i.e. the governments. They are, in another name, communists.
You don't want Churches to be taxed because then they can truly organize and lobby in the political arena. Imagine if the Catholic Church was able to then use its massive reach and resources to donate to super packs and campaigns? You think religion is a problem in our politics now, it would be insane after that. I would expect a "citizens united" scenario as well for them at that point. No taxing the Churches is the best way to get them into American politics no keep them out. There is a reason many of the most extreme religious people agree that we should tax their Churches. It will give them power.
Well seeing as how churches are funded by the charity of it's members all of their income has already been taxed
It's paid for just like any other mail--by the stamps to send it. In fact, churches even have to buy stamps (or the equivalent).
Unlike Planned Parenthood, which is able to forcibly take $$ from me and other unwilling taxpayers. Of course the monstrous left said this would never happen - too bad lying, fraud, and slaughtering children are not against their religion.
The point is - donations to the church are after tax donations. Beyond that, the priest or pastor pay taxes on their salaries, same as you. Assuming you work - b/c being a leftist there's a better than 50/50 chance you don't even work or pay taxes.