No, most churches are charities and do give their money to the poor. Some are used by politicians do to fund-raising or campaigning and those should lose their tax-exempt status but it would be a nightmare to enforce. Also, if churches were taxed, you'd have a whole lot more preachers and churches start taking an active role in politics now that their incentive to stay out of politics is taken away.
Should Churches be Taxed?
06/06/2013
No, I don't think they should....
06/06/2013
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That pretty much sums up how I feel too.
Originally posted by
sXeVegan90
I'm going against what others might vote, as I think churches should be taxed. Owners of churches bring in thousands of dollars, if not more, and you honestly have no idea where your money is going. They use money for expansion, and some claim
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I'm going against what others might vote, as I think churches should be taxed. Owners of churches bring in thousands of dollars, if not more, and you honestly have no idea where your money is going. They use money for expansion, and some claim they put that money to use in charity, but honestly, there is no proof to say that the money isn't going into the owners own pockets. Yes, they should be taxed. I feel like if they're going to make as much money as they do, there has to be some form of regulation on the money they make. People who give to the church hope and believe that the money is going to a good cause, but you honestly never know.
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06/06/2013
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I agree with almost all of this.
Originally posted by
hyacinthgirl
^ But that is saying that religious organizations do not have freedom of speech and expression, which is explicitly violating the First Amendment.
I know it isn't taught in schools, because it's this big, dark, scary secret, but if ... more
I know it isn't taught in schools, because it's this big, dark, scary secret, but if ... more
^ But that is saying that religious organizations do not have freedom of speech and expression, which is explicitly violating the First Amendment.
I know it isn't taught in schools, because it's this big, dark, scary secret, but if you prevent the religious and their corresponding organizations from having freedom of speech, you have government tyranny just as sure as if you allow only one religious organization to hold sway. If churches did not have freedom of political expression, just as an example, emancipation would not have gained popular steam. It started as a movement in the churches, it gained popularity in churches, and much of the fundraising was done in churches.
Even if they are not pursuing such a noble goal, by muzzling a church, you are saying that non-religious/secular organizations are more deserving of free speech, which denies the free practice of religion. By opening the floodgates of taxing religious non-profit organizations, you are saying that the religious are not equally deserving of rights, protections, considerations, etc., presumably because all other non-profits would continue to operate tax-free. Yes, this allows for loopholes where some churches have abhorrent practices, but it also prevents favoritism, the appearance of favoritism, or special interests from dominating the tax status of various religious organizations. It seems a lot of people are just taking a secular point of view without thinking it all the way through. If PETA, which kills somewhere like 75% of the animals it takes in, provides huge salaries for it's upper echelons, and donates money to eco-terrorists is a tax-free non-profit, why should St. Whosawhatit's, a tiny church that pays a livable wage to it's few employees, and spends most of it's fully voluntary tithes on charities like food pantries, homeless shelters, free daycares for single parents, and sending doctors to Third World countries suddenly be taxed because they believe in God? Unless you want to massively expand the IRS, which can't even properly audit the Federal Government, to audit every non-profit in America and find out if they are being responsible with their money.
And Voir, are you suggesting that all possible opposition to abortion is religious? less
I know it isn't taught in schools, because it's this big, dark, scary secret, but if you prevent the religious and their corresponding organizations from having freedom of speech, you have government tyranny just as sure as if you allow only one religious organization to hold sway. If churches did not have freedom of political expression, just as an example, emancipation would not have gained popular steam. It started as a movement in the churches, it gained popularity in churches, and much of the fundraising was done in churches.
Even if they are not pursuing such a noble goal, by muzzling a church, you are saying that non-religious/secular organizations are more deserving of free speech, which denies the free practice of religion. By opening the floodgates of taxing religious non-profit organizations, you are saying that the religious are not equally deserving of rights, protections, considerations, etc., presumably because all other non-profits would continue to operate tax-free. Yes, this allows for loopholes where some churches have abhorrent practices, but it also prevents favoritism, the appearance of favoritism, or special interests from dominating the tax status of various religious organizations. It seems a lot of people are just taking a secular point of view without thinking it all the way through. If PETA, which kills somewhere like 75% of the animals it takes in, provides huge salaries for it's upper echelons, and donates money to eco-terrorists is a tax-free non-profit, why should St. Whosawhatit's, a tiny church that pays a livable wage to it's few employees, and spends most of it's fully voluntary tithes on charities like food pantries, homeless shelters, free daycares for single parents, and sending doctors to Third World countries suddenly be taxed because they believe in God? Unless you want to massively expand the IRS, which can't even properly audit the Federal Government, to audit every non-profit in America and find out if they are being responsible with their money.
And Voir, are you suggesting that all possible opposition to abortion is religious? less
I am not religious in the slightest btw.
Idk why everyone is saying "Yes! Churches are evil! They're out to make money!" Some huge churches are I guess but just no. My grandpa is a Baptist preacher in a small town and does not make a lot of money at all from that lol. He does it because he believes in it. You're also taxing people like that. Many churches donate a lot of money to causes and do a lot of charity work. Like have any of you even been to a local church or are you just listening to what you hear?
Also the "we require your W2 forms for you to be a member" thing, IMO, is ridiculous of that church to do. That sounds kind of cult-like. All the church services I have ever been to (granted, mostly Baptist and Southern Baptist churches. And United Church of Christ and protestant churches) will have a donation plate to pass around and that's how it works. People who are non-church members usually have no pressure to donate.
And for one thing, if you're looking for people who don't pay their fair share of taxes: Why go to churches? Aren't there bigger fish to fry here??
06/07/2013
I guess.. I don't really have an opinion on this.
06/07/2013
I think they should be taxed.
06/08/2013
I personally think that they should be taxed to some extent. The ones that engage in charity could easily document what portion of their "income" went such activities and then that portion could be declared tax exempt.
The sickening part of how some(not all churches) are run is that a good portion of their "donations" go back to political and social issues such as fighting same sex marriage, abortion and access to birth control/sex education. When it comes down to it very little of their money is actually used for charity.
On the other end of the spectrum I have seen a church that has actually not only used their donations to help others but have seen the Priest and his family actually donate their own money in instances where the need exceeded the donations. This is a church that primarily deals with outreach to the homeless, drug addicts and poor. They have used their donations to cover the cost or rehab, rent, bills, school supplies and even extra tutoring for children that need it but the parents can't afford it. They pay directly, rather than give the money to help stem abuse. They also run their own clothing and food drives. The Priest and leadership team are always on hand to lend support and help in what ever capacity that they can. They even have packets on hand that contain information on how to access other social services for such things as free family planning, job training, low cost medical care, shelters and programs to help victims of abuse, information on treatment for drug and alcohol abuse or mental illness.
Sadly they are only one of a handful of churches in my area that do these things. Yet they see results and helped improve the lives of many who managed to find them. They do not judge and will lend that help to anyone regardless of said persons past or religious beliefs.
While I may not be christian I have donated to that church on multiple occasions be it food, clothing, money, gift card or just my time.
The sickening part of how some(not all churches) are run is that a good portion of their "donations" go back to political and social issues such as fighting same sex marriage, abortion and access to birth control/sex education. When it comes down to it very little of their money is actually used for charity.
On the other end of the spectrum I have seen a church that has actually not only used their donations to help others but have seen the Priest and his family actually donate their own money in instances where the need exceeded the donations. This is a church that primarily deals with outreach to the homeless, drug addicts and poor. They have used their donations to cover the cost or rehab, rent, bills, school supplies and even extra tutoring for children that need it but the parents can't afford it. They pay directly, rather than give the money to help stem abuse. They also run their own clothing and food drives. The Priest and leadership team are always on hand to lend support and help in what ever capacity that they can. They even have packets on hand that contain information on how to access other social services for such things as free family planning, job training, low cost medical care, shelters and programs to help victims of abuse, information on treatment for drug and alcohol abuse or mental illness.
Sadly they are only one of a handful of churches in my area that do these things. Yet they see results and helped improve the lives of many who managed to find them. They do not judge and will lend that help to anyone regardless of said persons past or religious beliefs.
While I may not be christian I have donated to that church on multiple occasions be it food, clothing, money, gift card or just my time.
06/08/2013
No they should not. They should not be taxed because they are not selling anything. Most of the money donated is used either to keep up the church or for services to the community. There are of course some churches that are dishonest. Just like anywhere else there are bad people.
06/08/2013
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Agreed, most churches are just community support systems. Most churches struggle to pay their bills and do their community programs. And they provide hope. But if you turn a church into a business it should be taxed. Churches aren't supposed to be about making money!
Originally posted by
gsfanatic
I would say that churches should not be taxed as long as they don't spend money on political advertising. When they began to either lobby or contribute to campaign funds, that money should be taxed heavily. You get freedom of religion, not
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I would say that churches should not be taxed as long as they don't spend money on political advertising. When they began to either lobby or contribute to campaign funds, that money should be taxed heavily. You get freedom of religion, not freedom to be a political entity
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06/08/2013
Mr. John
All non profits should be taxed.
06/10/2013