Why are churches tax exempt?

Well... History. The church was always exempt from paying to the kings and it was one of the prime reasons for the "reformation". With time I guess that charity also played a huge role. But as the state has taken over that part of societies needs the less relevance the church has as a charitable organisation(the US seems to rely a lot on charity still). ¨
I would tax them. Or at least tax the money they don't spend specifically on charity.

http://usuncut.com/world/pope-franc...-status-of-churches-that-dont-help-the-needy/

 

This money is given not taken like the government does

 

Did I suggest otherwise?

Uh... they are separate entities. I don't know what you're trying to say here.

Again, what??

Bottom line is this: We treat religion with special deference and we shouldn't. A religious organization should be treated just like any other voluntary association of consenting adults. In my view, nobody should be tax exempt, but for some of these "churches" to claim non-profit status is obscene. Here is Joel Osteen's "church":



Here is his home:



Here is his private jet:



All built on tax-exempt donations to a tax-exempt multibillion-dollar corporate enterprise.

 

This is probably the best reason not to tax churches

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Again people voluntarily give money to the church. That is why we have the 1st amendment so your tax money can not go to the church as it does under a theocracy

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The problem I have it does the opposite you give a faith more money than it would if it was any other business ,unless its a registered non profit charity or other entity with the same rules for disclosure on how the money is used fair is fair, your funding more advertising and promotion of said faith by given them more money.

I'm fine if they have a homeless shelter or free clinic or a school as long as they have to have public records showing where the money goes.

 

First Amendment makes churches tax exempt. Taxing churches would be inhibiting religious expression. Also as Justice John Marshall said "the power to tax involves the power to destroy."

 

So you wouldnt miss the 30 billion a year they provide the US for social programs like feeding the poor ? Thats only Catholic charities by the way

 

First Amendment:

Amendment I

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.

Making my church pay taxes is interfering with my free exercise of religion.

Also, do you object to other non-profits not paying taxes?

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Ministers and other church workers pay taxes on their salaries.

 

What do they make? How do they make a profit?

 

Wealth, yes, but income no. The Vatican pretty much breaks even every year (in the past twenty or so years, they've had deficit years and surplus years). The only reason they seem so rich is that they have accumulated material over at least a thousand years. Most of the "treasures" in the Vatican are pretty much being held for the world in general--i.e. in a similar way that museums or national parks do.

 

Huh? You do realize that most of the Christian denominations out there are less than 600 years old or so. IT was something called the Reformation. Read about it.

 

Many churches are taking advantage of not paying taxes but believing they have a valid say in the operation of government anyway. I find it highly objectionable. Billy Graham's kid, for example, was instrumental in kicking off the Iraq invasion. But, I dunno, maybe his organization pays taxes.

 

Well, talk to most of the poor folks in rural Alabama. The biggest charity helping them out is run by the Catholic Church.

Churches do a lot more good than you wish to admit. I don't hear much about atheist food drives.......

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The proposal to tax churches violates the second clause.

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The government should be neutral towards religion. They shouldn't have the ability to destroy it.

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Wow, what an intellectual argument.

 

They should be taxed, on regular income/profits/investments, just like every other business (because in most cases that is what they are), but not on actual funding used to do good in their communities. Soup kitchens, food banks, child care services, etc... etc....

 

So if you embrace religion you lose your right to free speech?

 

Lovely attitude.

As anyone can understand I was speaking about the consolidation of power using real and quasi governmental authority. The timeline and age I'm speaking of is obvious, it tickled you memory even.

Cheers
Labour

 

I embrace religion AND I pay taxes. No loss of free speech anywhere.

 

So why cant you priest have the same rights ?

Do you have to pay taxes to have free speech ?

 

That's the idea, my man, and that is what the government and the church leaders have agreed to. You want to spout pro- or anti-government rhetoric from the pulpit, or spout anything that doesn't have to do with the reason for the establishment of your church, you simply pay the piper.

 

So then of you dont pay taxes you should not be allowed to vote

They never agreed to that

Better tell that to the founders as the revolution was preached from the pulpit.

 

I'm just telling you what the rules are, my friend. If you disagree, take it up with your congressman.

 

Why do you want to burden non-profit organizations with taxes?

 

"Why are churches tax exempt?"

it's the other half of separation of church and state

 

To the extent that religious organizations perform bona fide charitable works, yes I'm fine with the tax exemption - for the actual charitable part, but not for the multimillion dollar worship facility they build by choice - they should pay for that on their own.

 

If your talking to me you told me nothing. The rules are churches are tax exempt