Should Churches/Religion Be Taxed?

[The Unknown General]

Yes or No?

[Psychonaut]

Yes. They aren't anything special, and should be taxed like any other business/company.

Though the ones that do humanitarian work should get tax breaks (for the work, not for religious reasons).

[Basil II the B.S]

Wrong section.
On topic: yes. The negs brought by religious activities are way more than the pos.
And I'd personally rofl at seeing religions going bankrupt, because ultimately money is the only true god for humans.

[The Unknown General]

Wrong section.
On topic: yes. The negs brought by religious activities are way more than the pos.
And I'd personally rofl at seeing religions going bankrupt, because ultimately money is the only true god for humans.

I think its in the right section, because it would have to be political movement for it to happen.

[Vin Mariani]

The answer is no. Despite the political machinations of religion in government and politics, the separation of church and state is something that the state should at least be held to, if the churches will not. Fact of the matter is that people donate to churches in addition to paying taxes, having churches pay taxes is essentially a tax on being religious if your money going to the church is instead going back to the government. Secondly, the idea that the government is able to tax churches to death is a very scary one. Sure the Ayn Rand fans here probably love the idea, even though such intrusion by the government will create a precedent in other areas. But overall, there is just too much at risk and the argument of having churches pay their fair share is a weak one.

[Bolkonsky]

Well most churches and religions are highly volunteer based, and do lots of charitable work such as opening and maintaining food and homeless shelters. Taxing them would simply force them to close things like that. It's not like churches are for-profit, generate income, or sell anything, they're entirely donation based.

[The Unknown General]

So they can afford huge churches with all the fixings, but can't pay their fair share? How do you guys interpret "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof." ?

[Bolkonsky]

So they can afford huge churches with all the fixings, but can't pay their fair share? How do you guys interpret "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof." ?

Most of them actually can't which explains why a lot of them are being sold/closed down. Again though, they don't sell anything so they really can't legally be taxed, since they're non-profit.

And I have no idea what you're getting at with the Constitution...

[The Unknown General]

Most of them actually can't which explains why a lot of them are being sold/closed down. Again though, they don't sell anything so they really can't legally be taxed, since they're non-profit.

And I have no idea what you're getting at with the Constitution...

"It will be obvious to rational people that exempting religious organizations from paying any taxes is a clear case of government "respecting an establishment of religion." " http://taxthechurches.org/

[Vin Mariani]

So they can afford huge churches with all the fixings, but can't pay their fair share? How do you guys interpret "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof." ?

Define "fair share". What do they owe and why?

[Bolkonsky]

Define "fair share". What do they owe and why?

Nothing, outside of personal protection which is paid for by individuals, not establishments.

Bottom line is, churches don't generate income, they don't sell anything. It's not a matter of separation of church and state, it's a matter of basic laws of taxation. They have nothing to be taxed for.

[Vin Mariani]

Nothing, outside of personal protection which is paid for by individuals, not establishments.

Bottom line is, churches don't generate income, they don't sell anything. It's not a matter of separation of church and state, it's a matter of basic laws of taxation. They have nothing to be taxed for.

You don't really need something to be taxed *for*. And churches do generate income. It's whatever money they have left after all their expenditures. Their income usually goes to political ventures, such as the Mormon funded advertisements in California for Prop 8.

[The Unknown General]

You don't really need something to be taxed *for*. And churches do generate income. It's whatever money they have left after all their expenditures. Their income usually goes to political ventures, such as the Mormon funded advertisements in California for Prop 8.

Or defending priests/clergy in cases for molestation and what have you.

[Bolkonsky]

You don't really need something to be taxed *for*. And churches do generate income. It's whatever money they have left after all their expenditures. Their income usually goes to political ventures, such as the Mormon funded advertisements in California for Prop 8.

Most churches collect donations, they don't actually generate anything themselves. This is because they have no product to sell.

"It will be obvious to rational people that exempting religious organizations from paying any taxes is a clear case of government "respecting an establishment of religion." " http://taxthechurches.org/

It's no different than any other non-profit organization. Churches are non-profit. Non-profit organizations are not taxed. Period.

Or defending priests/clergy in cases for molestation and what have you.

This has to do with taxing churches how?

Nope, just saying its one of the things they spend money on. Oh and didn't the pope go to Mexico recently to talk to the families of victims of the Mexican cartel, but not the victims family of molestation by a priest.

Again...that has to do with taxes, how?

[Sphere]

Yes. Or at least they should be forced into the same system of other not-for-profit corporations which have to at least annually report their financials even if they are tax exempt.

In the US because the religious tax exemption means you do not have to even report your financials, it is a sector rife for abuse...

Clergy No Longer Allowed to Have Tax Exemption on Multiple Homes
The Economist - God Knows: But the IRS doesn't
and of course this

[Squiggle]

Churches wouldnt survive the tax, nevermind that there essentially community organizations with charitable drives. So...no.

edit: this thread is a clear example of not only the vile bigotry and hatred of a lot of people on TWC, but the fundamental abuse of the state to attack, punish, and promote certain groups over others. I dont like the catholic church! Tax them until bankruptcy, it'll be good for a laugh!

[The Unknown General]

Most churches collect donations, they don't actually generate anything themselves. This is because they have no product to sell.

It's no different than any other non-profit organization. Churches are non-profit. Non-profit organizations are not taxed. Period.
This has to do with taxing churches how?

Again...that has to do with taxes, how?

They have a lot of money laying around.

Churches wouldnt survive the tax, nevermind that there essentially community organizations with charitable drives. So...no.

Oh so churches are the only organizations with charitable drives now?

[Squiggle]

Oh so churches are the only organizations with charitable drives now?

Exclusively not for profit organizations dont get taxed, which has already been explained to you.

They have a lot of money laying around.

Prove it. Because I literally know your wrong, and that most ministers, priests etc have a very low salary.

[Bolkonsky]

They have a lot of money laying around.

Oh so churches are the only organizations with charitable drives now?

First of all, you've presented no proof whatsoever that churches have lots of money laying around.

I have 2 elephants and a walrus living in my closet btw.

Secondly, yes. The entire idea of religion is generally to save people.

They sell the word of God.

Most Christian churches offer that for free. That's why they operate on donations. No one's obliged to donate.

[The Unknown General]

First of all, you've presented no proof whatsoever that churches have lots of money laying around.

I have 2 elephants and a walrus living in my closet btw.

Secondly, yes. The entire idea of religion is generally to save people.


Most Christian churches offer that for free. That's why they operate on donations. No one's obliged to donate.

"Their income usually goes to political ventures, such as the Mormon funded advertisements in California for Prop 8." by a fellow user. I'm aware of that, but there are other organizations that are secular that are charitable.