Should religious institutions be taxed?

[Ehrenpanzer]

Normally a church survives totally off donations, tithes and offerings. Its bills, staff and pastor are all paid from that pool of money so no it should not be taxed because there are a whole lot of very small churches that would be utterly destroyed by such a situation. Not to mention the donations they take for food banks, clothing drives, homeless shelters, mission trips and the like.

What should happen is an investigation into men like Benny Hinn, Kenneth Copeland and Crefalo Dollar (the "Prosperity Gospel" televangelists) to see just what's going on there. The vast majority of churches in the United States don't operate the way they do and it's time that the crooks were exposed so that the people being choked out can get back to doing the good work.

Much more effective would be to force the Churchs with more money the Oprah (looking at you "the size of my hat determines how important I am" Catholics) should be forced to actually FOLLOW the teachings of Christ and give all that money to the poor...i cant seem to recall the passage where Jesus said "and go forth and collect as much cash as you can and build unto me a vast empire of gaudy and trinket laden churches, then build for yourself an equally gaudy residence from which he of the giant hat shall dwell so all ye shall know wherein the cash cometh from"..must missed that passage somehow. This can also be applied to all other religions

[Ebildays]

I think Republicans would love it if churches were no longer tax-exempt and could start outright endorsing candidates.

While they would sercetly love it they would not be able to endorse it in public for fear of losing their voter base. Religious people are going to say taxing churches goes against speration of church and state. And churches are seen as non-profit organizations, which most of those fall under being tax exempt.

[Kujako]

The benefits they gain from having a large percentage of the churches in America being allowed to donate to candidates would be enough for them to swallow that pill I think.

They would first have to stop doing that for it to make any difference.

[Drutt]

Religious institutions should absolutely be taxed, if for no other reason than the fact they insist on trying to shape politics, law and social frameworks in every country they exist in. One of the ideals behind US independence was the idea of no taxation without representation. I believe the reverse should also be true, and that any religious body attempting to wield influence on political process (in any form) should be required to pay taxes.

From a purely logical standpoint, there is also the fact that the various religions can't all be right about what they believe. Even if one religion is factually correct in all respects, that means all of the others are essentially fairy tales at best and yet continue to enjoy tax exempt status.

[poser765]

Religious institutions should absolutely be taxed, if for no other reason than the fact they insist on trying to shape politics, law and social frameworks in every country they exist in. One of the ideals behind US independence was the idea of no taxation without representation. I believe the reverse should also be true, and that any religious body attempting to wield influence on political process (in any form) should be required to pay taxes.

From a purely logical standpoint, there is also the fact that the various religions can't all be right about what they believe. Even if one religion is factually correct in all respects, that means all of the others are essentially fairy tales at best and yet continue to enjoy tax exempt status.

Wait, so you are telling me that the Britton Road Church of Christ down the street from me, with a congregation of about 300, is somehow trying to shape law and social frameworks? I must have missed that with all the mission trips to build schools, food drives, and clothes given away to the needy.

[Kujako]

Wait, so you are telling me that the Britton Road Church of Christ down the street from me, with a congregation of about 300, is somehow trying to shape law and social frameworks? I must have missed that with all the mission trips to build schools, food drives, and clothes given away to the needy.

If they are truly charitable, they should be able to qualify as a charity for tax exemption without hiding behind religion.

[Daph]

I'd be fine with them staying tax exempt if there was a realistic way to absolutely cripple them with fines if they violate the aforementioned rules in this thread.

[Deleted]

If we apply the thought process of taxation = representation i'd rather them remain indefinitely exempt.

[FAILoZOFF]

I don't believe in socialism, nor do i want to take part in all that sht as its against my views, can I resign?

[Deleted]

I don't believe in socialism, nor do i want to take part in all that sht as its against my views, can I resign?

Yeah, you can leave.

[FAILoZOFF]

Yeah, you can leave.

just like gays can leave if they feel somehow disciminated, not that i would mind ;]
see how it works?

[Deleted]

just like gays can leave if they feel somehow disciminated, not that i would mind ;]
see how it works?

It doesn't work because guess what?

Beliefs have no basis in politics, facts are what should be the driving force not beliefs.

[FAILoZOFF]

It doesn't work because guess what?

Beliefs have no basis in politics, facts are what should be the driving force not beliefs.

you are not the one to tell me by what rules we are going to play ;]

[Deleted]

you are not the one to tell me by what rules we are going to play ;]

No, things such as laws and constitutions do that.

It's wonderful when you live in reality.

[Shink]

Yes, as should charities, political "funding", everything



Exemptions should stop being a thing.

[FAILoZOFF]

No, things such as laws and constitutions do that.

It's wonderful when you live in reality.

good, finally some agreement
there is no such as "gay marriage" in my constitution at least ;D

[Deleted]

good, finally some agreement
there is no such as "gay marriage" in my constitution at least ;D

There is also nothing to prevent that. That is a religious doctrine. I'm pretty sure your constitution separates church and state, therefore the religious aspect gets told to "fuck off".

REALITY STRIKES AGAIN!

[Replica]

Death, by snusnu.

Tax em, its only fair.

[Deleted]

Death, by snusnu.

Tax em, its only fair.

But then they can argue for representation. I don't see that being a good thing imo.

[transorD]

The Catholic Church is the single biggest problem with Christianity. They have let money prove their hypocrisy.
Go visit any one of the hundreds of small Baptist churches around the south in America and witness how church is supposed to be. Our pastors often have real jobs because they don't make any money at all and most of the workers are volunteers or part-time. The larger a church gets, the more it allows money to corrupt it.

As far as taxes, if they are run correctly, they don't have any excess money to be taxed on.

As a person who converted from Protestantism to Catholicism, I do believe that you don't know what you're talking about with regards to the Catholic Church.

But I agree that churches, or any charitable organization, should be taxed.