December 26, 2006
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Taxing Churches
A comment was left in my last post about taxing cigarettes, liquor and gambling. Here is the comment by bizyma
“what they should do is tax churches. non prophet my a**. (edited) churches shouldnt go w/o being taxed. they want to keep church and state separate, i get that, and they want to keep prayer out of school. sooo, why not go one further and tax them? why should smokers carry the burden? why should alcoholics? why not over tax plastic surgery? or liposuction? or even better……..starbucks???? thats an addiction right there!”Should churches and other nonprofit organizations be taxed like everyone else?
Comments (123)
not if they fall under non-profit guidelines
FIRSTTTTTTTTTTTTTT!!! YESSSSSSSSSS!
what k8tthelate said
If they don’t benefit me, then tax away.
Someone needs a real education on what the seperation of church and state means. Actually, what it doesn’t mean. It’s not in the constitution, bill of rights, or anything else. The only place it can be found, apart from in very misguided court rulings, is in a personal letter from Thomas Jefferson to a friend. It’s not a part of America’s founding documents.
No.
The power to tax is the power to destroy. It took a constitutional amendment to start an income tax for that reason. Property is constitutionally protected and so are churches.
No one will actually pay any attention to what I just wrote. Actually caring about what the constitution really says, makes me a bit weired.
So the answer is simply NO!. Church property should never be taxed for the reason I already stated
not if they’re non-profit.
no
RvL1978, you are my hero. I have gotten so angry at people for saying that.
And no, non-profit organizations should not be taxed. I couldn’t tell the reason why bizyma thought they should, could barely decipher the message.
That’s tough. I honestly, don’t know. I heard that Seattle was trying a coffee tax (don’t know what happened with it). Tax coffee, etc.
No that’s rediculous if you want to start attacking people for having no-profit status, then why don’t you just say tax the homeless shelters, the food pantries, and the red cross. Some people just need to think before spouting off their mouths.
They should only be taxed on profit not running costs
None profits are taxed in many cases, constitutionally they are not protected. But since they are none profit, there are no taxes of that sort to collect. But there can be property taxes and payroll taxes. Churches also pay payroll taxes as well.
smoking is bad for you and taxing it makes it less accessible to teenagers. It’s quite sad how people don’t know how much the church does for the world. Sure it’s had its fair share of mistakes in it’s pursuit to serve…people are so interested in looking back into the “history” of things. Why don’t someone look back at what the church has done in the past?
No, the Church is dying as it is. I dont know why people see it as so evil! wtf hsa it done to you? Its responsible for good too. Charities and such. My church gives people money to pay bills and bags of food if they need it (And in teh part of town my church is in they do need it). Churches need money to pay bills and do charities. If you dont want to see a Church wiht money, let churches do everything for free.
no, because you aren’t puchasing anything.
and they aren’t trying to make money
I smell the beginning of a New-Age American Revolution.
Churches already face declining attendance worldwide. A tax on them should not be explored at this time.
temples and other places of worship should not be taxed. they offer help to people who need it, just as non-profit organizations do, and if the establishments themselves are taxed, then guess who’s going to be paying? obviously the people who utilize such institutions.
like we need to feed the government anymore. they must be loaded–otherwise they wouldn’t be spending billions of dollars on a monthly basis on international wars that they could’ve not only avoided, but prevented.
That quote doesn’t make much sense to me.
I believe the only tax we should have is on sales and cosmetic (not reconstructive, or such) surgery, and that type of thing. It would be a high tax, yes, but it will only be on things we choose to buy. To put a tax on something we must do, such as on our earnings, is both wrong and counter-productive, as some people do choose not to work as hard as they could to earn more because that more would just be taxed into oblivion. Some people, in the extreme, choose not to work at all and take money from the government instead of allowing it to be taken from them.
So, no.
Yes, Churches should be taxed if they want to be in bed with the State. If Churches want the State to stay out of their business, then they should refuse Caesar’s benefits. The Church should consider paying Caesar an act of God’s judgment on the Church and seek every way to repent publically and thoroughly.
Ridiculous. He thinks nonprofits should be taxed because cigarettes are? What kind of crazy logic is that?
If a church/organization starts doing things for profit, then fine, tax them and teach them a lesson. But don’t punish everybody because some are bad apples.
No, they provide social services that we all benefit from………and it is Profit, not Prophet, unless that was an attempt to be cute which failed.
Actually, when I said that Churches should be taxed, let me restate. I’m not sure for what reason a Church would be taxed, and seeing that at this moment I can’t think of any particular reason for taxing a Church, my answer is that a group of worshipping Christians should not be taxed for worshipping. On the other hand, if a group of Christians want tax benefits for donating to their local congregation, then they must also be open for the State to have a say in their business. Therefore, Christians who give to their local places of worship should consider it a gift and not a way to get a tax deduction.
Churches do a lot of work, as mentioned above, for the homeless, free counseling services, raising money for charities, hosting free and low-cost meals for the homeless and near homeless, and doing tons of other good works. If church didn’t do this, the government would have to put even more money for these causes than they already do. Also, most of the time when church provide these services the people behind it are members of the congregation; people who aren’t getting paid. Volunteers. If the government took over these services, not only would they probably spend more than churches and non-profits do to do the same job, but they would also have more employees to pay and higher overhead.
I did read about some non-profits that spend 50% or more on simply paying their employees’ wages. That right there is a pointless non-profit. Those non-profits are not churches, though. They are corporations set up to pay their CEO $500,000 of their $1,000,000 budget.
If one group of people should be taxed, it isn’t fair if another group isn’t just because it’s looked up upon.
-Jacob
That’s a really stupid quote. Why would you tax something that doesnt receive a profit opposed to something that did? They have nothing to tax unless they show an unnaccounted for profit and most times the church will just use that money for church improvement or giving to other charities.
Churches ought not be taxed any more or any less than any other special interest organization. They dont’ seserve any special treatment.
Someone needs a real education on what the seperation of church and state means. Actually, what it doesn’t mean. It’s not in the constitution, bill of rights, or anything else. The only place it can be found, apart from in very misguided court rulings, is in a personal letter from Thomas Jefferson to a friend. It’s not a part of America’s founding documents.
Posted 12/26/2006 1:34 PM by RvL1978
While it isn’t, many other values and such that we uphold are not either. Such as that we are a Christian nation, or that political power belongs to the people. You will not find the words Popular Sovereignty in the Constitution either. But because you can run for office, it’s there. So should Separation of Church and State. Sorry if I’m labeling you as something you’re not :/. This is more for everyone.
Tax the ones who are into politics. They scare the hell out of me, with their crazy ideas. Kill homosexuals by Death Squads? Remove Jews with all the power? Now that’s not the Church I hear a lot about
Churches and charities do good works for the underprivileged members of society, i.e. homeless, mentally ill, poor single mothers, pregnant nuns, pedophile priests, therefore these organizations are exempt from US GOVERNMENT sanctioned THIEVERY.
QUESTION: Where do we answer the Harry Potter witch craft question? I’ll answer it here: NO! The Harry Potter books are far more entertaining than the HOGWASH in the BIBLE. Witchcraft is tame in comparison to the thousands of MURDERS that have been committed in the name of the Lord and Jesus Christ.
no. that’s just dumb.
What kinds of things are you interested in?
Freedom of conscience is foremost amongst liberties. Churches are indeed nonprofit organizations – that is to say, if you want to attend a church gathering, you are not required to pay for the sermon.
This taxation might lead to the eradication of a few churches. It’s a lot to bear on those kinds of organizations. We kick churches out, then we lose a lot of charity. Churches alone make up a nice percentage of the charities across America.
-David
Do you really want to tax God?
um. that comment is full of ignorance.
No, as long as they’re giving back to the community in charitable ways, they should not be taxed.
I don’t think so..
no. churches shouldn’t be taxed.
Only churches.
Absolutely not. They aren’t like every other business- They help people daily, including giving homeless people hot meals. Should we tax church’s, some of that help would have to stop. The employees salarys would go down. How is any of that good?
Nahhh. Let ’em go.
Yes. Death and taxes, bitches.
“Churches already face declining attendance worldwide. A tax on them should not be explored at this time.”
Posted 12/26/2006 1:54 PM by chrispycrunch
All the more reason.
I do not think that religious or certain not for profit organizations should be taxed, but why not tax plasic surgery on the same level as alcohol or tobacco?
definetly not, how would smaller churches survive?
no. thats why the protestants came over from england…the church was getting too powerful with the government, as in….giving them too much money.
hence, the non-PROFIT law.
Considering how corrupt politicians are, they would tax churches ot get rid of them. Except Democrats would want to keep the predominately black churches since they use those to raise campaign funds.
Considering how corrupt politicians are, they would tax churches ot get rid of them. Except Democrats would want to keep the predominately black churches since they use those to raise campaign funds.
my god, if we’re trying to seperate church and state here(an attempt which is failing) then why should we tax them??? i mean, they are non profit.. i havn’t seen any ticket counters outside of a church lately…
on a lighter note.. if they overtax starbucks i’m leaving for jamaica…
I’m not sure I understand the logic. I work for a non-profit that doesn’t sell anything or buy anything. We provide a service. Our main sourch of income (if you can even call it that) is donations. What exactly would we tax? The donations?
Absolutely! There is nothing non-profit about many of them.
no–
they are non profit; people actually donate gifts to these organizations/volunteer
who in return help many people
not at all, cigeretts kill and gove cancer, acohol kills and gives liver diseas, gambling tears apart families.
Chruches bring people together.
No.
If the church is run like a buisness, maybe. But, the church I attend, makes hardly anything. It wouldn’t be right to tax a church that is basically a charity, now would it? But, then again, people wouldn’t think it was fair, if you only charged some. So, I’ll just have to say no on this one.
Yeah… that quote befuddles me. I’m not seeing the real reason as to why we should tax churches. Alcohol, cigarettes, and so on should be over taxed because they are HARMFUL. Church is not harmful. Church is not even harmful to those who are not christians. You see the building on the street and just drive on by. Like it offends anyone that there’s a church on the street corner.
Besides, in my eyes, Church is non-profit. They don’t charge you to come worship with them. They do pass around a plate and if you want to give money, then you do, but you are not required nor forced to give money. And where does that money go? Well, to the better of the Church. I mean preachers, pastors, priests, or whatever you wish to call them get paid. Preaching is their JOB and they get MONEY for their job, so the tithe partly goes to paying the pastor for his job. The rest of the money usually goes to help the church like rebuild the old chapel or build a new facility for the kids. Buying new Bibles or new whatevers. They are not gaining profit to enlarge a “business.” They gain profit to keep the Church RUNNING. If no one donated money, the pastor would not get paid, and the church eventually would either be led by a pastor that could live without being paid or the church would crumble. Besides, if you think that the Church IS a profit-gaining organization, then I suppose you would agree that Humane Societies and such facilities are profit-gaining as well.
They should when they bring politics in to it. When your church(or other non-profit) is promoting a certain party or politician, they should be taxed.
But it’s to easy to lump all non-profits into one boat, so….
Can I just say I’m un-decided and leave it at that?
I believe that non-profits should not be taxed.
no, churches are a service to the community. it brings culture to a community. taxing thins such as cigarettes makes sense. for one thing, its bad for you, so it discourages people from buying them. and its also bad for the people around the smokers. its not like churches are causing emphysimia(sp?) or cancer
In the Bill of Rights..
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.
As for churches being taxed.. well, depends.. I have known some churches to sell food and drinks inside.. I believe that part should be taxed if that makes sense to you.. but not the whole, go to church listen to a pastor part.. O_o
I believe the Bill of Rights is in the constitution..
lol Dan, I love how you make entries on someone’s comments. xD
Personally, I always thought churches were taxed, rofl. Shows how much I know.
But no, I don’t think so. Some people actually have hearts and give money to the church/organizations from their own pocket. (: And I like that.
If a church is non-profit then they shouldn’t be taxed. I agree with the other comment that we shouldn’t tax churches anymore than we should tax homeless shelters, Red Cross, food pantries, etc.
Its to bad they did not extend on the documents as if they were a serious document. Maybe written more like actual instructions and Rules. The Axis and Allies or Risk gameboard Rules have more actual instructions so as to facilitate the Game. The problem with the damn documents is that we have to interpret them. Thank God we respect the Supreme court. IF we did not we would be fucked. No one Riots the Supreme court, and they are the ones doing the interpretation and the changing of the interpretation. I just said that becuase people keep bringing the Constituion and shit in the conversation. Dont bother bringing those in the conversation. If YOU have an interpretation, well surprise surprise, someone else does too! I say we rewrite them. Congress should not disagree after all they agreed thier pay was to antiquated so why not this damn “guide line” for a country.
No.
Taxing = more power to the government.
More power to the government = Bad.
Not true non-profit organizations. But churches sure. They should let some of that holy gold out of the coffers.
This question aggravates me. First they ban creation from the classrooms, then Bibles, then prayer, all to keep a “wall of separation between church and state” that does not even exist in the constitution. Now that the wall has been built they want to turn around and expect the church to line their coffers, I don’t think so.
We have guidelines in place for this. We are allowed — under federal law — to give donations to charity. I choose charities, and one of them is my church. I don’t do so for a tax deduction, but I also don’t give to United Way or to families in need for a tax deduction.
But perhaps some might consider this. Last week several families came in for food, and were helped. Last week, the church opened it’s doors and offered a service for people who desired to worship. There are salaries paid to the people in charge (just like other non-profit organizations) so that they can eat and work 40-100 hours a week (depending upon the person and their responsibilities – pastors are often at early morning hospital surgeries and late at family crisis, sacificing their own time for what is usually not a huge salary). For most who work in non-profits, the pay is not equal to the hours or the demands, but they do so because they desire to make a difference.
Just my .02,
Suzie
Nope
Not nonprofits. If a church is nonprofit, it shouldn’t be taxed.
i agree with the first post. If an organization is created solely for the benefit of society then it shouldn’t be taxed.
“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.”
[First ammendment to Constitution}
Not paying taxes is not a benefit. That would infer that the money belongs to the state to start with. If you happen to be a socialist you will now be saying, what the heck is wrong with that? If you on the other hand are an American patriot who values our constitution, then you might just remember an amendment to our consitution which states the following; “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof;…” (copied from the easily accessible Cornell Law School web site) Taxing a religious establishment has as a matter of law been interpreted as prohibiting the free exercise thereof.
By the way, a church does not need to file for non profit status as you or I would if we were starting a local chapter of feed my poor starving children or some other benevolent organization. It is assumed to have that status already, though for some reason some churches do file. (By the way if any one wants to donate to the definitely not non-profit feed my starving children feel free to make your checks payable to me!) The real question is why did the IRS get to change the constitution to say that churches cannot speak out on the political issues of the day? It would be interesting to hear people’s thoughts on that.
I think churches should be taxed if they are using their money for non-necessities in a church. How many churches do you see that are offering gyms, basketball teams, volleyball teams, etc., and the church pays for the uniforms and equipment etc.? I see it ALL the time. How many churches have you seen that were perfectly FINE before, but they needed a brand new HUGE worship center to accomodate the whole 100-200 people TOPS who attend, yet the new building can hold 500+?
Churches need to go back to the good old days and stop getting fancy to attract new members. If you have enough room to build a gym, or a huge worship center, take THAT money and show me you are a non-profit organization by using that money to really help others instead of inviting more people to your church to get more in tithes etc.
FYI: For those who truly think that churches are non-profit, ask why the church pays for your pastor’s phone, cable, house, and other utilities. That alone annoys the crap out of me. I work too, my customers don’t pay all of my bills for me. Anyway…
Uhm….I think so. It’s fair in my opinion.
Haha, “prophet”. Which is the problem with a lot of churches today, they are non prophet.
ANYWAY… no. Non profit organizations whould not be taxed.
SQ
Someone made to comment about why pastors get all their shit paid or something. Well those pastors have families and kids of thier own. So in order to get a viable church leadership, its necessary to make usre that they can riase a family and be a man of God. Most dont get paid to much. Mine makes 32k a year. And he has 3 sons.
No.
Not if they’re nonprofit. And besides, you don’t have to give money to the church – it’s basically a donation.
smoking is bad for you and taxing it makes it less accessible to teenagers. It’s quite sad how people don’t know how much the church does for the world. Sure it’s had its fair share of mistakes in it’s pursuit to serve…people are so interested in looking back into the “history” of things. Why don’t someone look back at what the church has done in the past?
Posted 12/26/2006 1:45 PM by fatfreemayo
I agree.
“FYI: For those who truly think that churches are non-profit, ask why the church pays for your pastor’s phone, cable, house, and other utilities. That alone annoys the crap out of me. I work too, my customers don’t pay all of my bills for me. Anyway…
Posted 12/26/2006 5:29 PM by Momentkeeper”
Is money supposed to fall out of the sky for the pastor?
Loopholes everywhere, pass a new law to close a loophole?
That statement in place, we all know religious organizations can abuse not for profit status.
More laws for things viewed as “harmful”, and we agree. Others don’t like religious organizations either, so why not tax them too?
Like a child saying “Punish Billy too! He taught me the bad word!”
So let’s say I was king and said “Gee, great idea, tobacco donates to charity, but they are bad. Churches do public service, but I think they are bad, so let’s tax them too!”
We end up with more laws, which I dare say wont fix anything. Taxes to stamp out smoking will not work, taxes on churches wont fix anything, NONE OF THE DIRECTIONS WE MOVE IN WILL FIX ANYTHING.
Programs wont change anything. PEOPLE WILL FIX ANYTHING.
People who think differently. The governmenat cannot fix our social ills, only each and every one of us will.
So simple it’s scary, because suddenly?
The responsibility is YOURS.
Put that in your pipe and smoke it!
I think churches should be taxed if they are functioning in a way that serves more than the worship of God. (e.g. serving as a mouthpiece for a political party or political cause) They should also be taxed if they are operating “for profit” businesses.
No. I find it ironic that the person you quoted said “non prophet”.
Ok, if you’re seriously trying to compare churches and other non-profit organizations (with the services they do for society in general) to smoking and alcohol, which serve primarily to harm your own body and, possibly through your actions alos harm others, then… well… I just don’t know what to say to someone about that. Ok, I do– it’s dumb. Look at the intent behind taxing liquor and cigarettes and you’ll see why it makes no sense to lump non-profit organizations into it.
ps- did the commenter realize that “non-profit” means the organization doesn’t make any sort of profit from their operations?
T_T Just don’t make me spend all my money on stuff.
Haha, yeah, I couldn’t exactly understand most of that comment posted by bizyma either. I’ve gotta say, http://www.xanga.com/RvL1978 made an excellent point. To answer the question though, no, no non-profit oranizations should be taxed, that’s ridiculous.
since churches are non profit, and that their main job is charity why tax them? goofy people!
The writer of the comment you reference should learn to put together a proper thought. I would simply say, “Idiot!” but that would be rude.
Yes.
There are two things in life that dont change; death and taxes.
People still don’t understand what the founding fathers meant. Why even go there if people can’t understand history?
Thankfully, I see, there are others who have answered better than I can at the moment.
That’s the dumbest thing I have ever heard.
No non-profit organizations and churches should not be taxed.
“[ sic ] non prophet “ WOW! that made me smile.
no
I’d like to know to whom ‘they’ refers in her little, ill-conceived rant.
Also, churches don’t cause cancer…cigarettes do. To me, this is a pretty big difference. The same with coffee. If it was a known major carcinogen, tax away.
Also, as far as I can tell, churches really are non-profit. Many set budgets entailing so much giving that sometimes it’s hard to meet it. Sure, some churches screw up or exist for selfish purposes, but that’s like biting into one mushy grape and chucking the whole bag. It’s just illogical. If the poster has some sort of problem with churches, perhaps stating the problem, or better still, getting involved somewhere for a solution is a good method and not going off in what appears to be a poorly thought out, rather nonsensical and ill-informed little comment on someone’s xanga.
Just a thought…or two…
As a church secretary, I feel somewhat qualified to comment on this. Most churches that I am in contact with have budgets that set aside the largest chunks of money to support missionaries and pay the winter gas bills. The missionaries we support are doing things like operating a free clinic in Ethiopia, building and installing water tanks in Mexico, treating patients at hospitals in Ecuador and Liberia, teaching in Romania, working with Somali Bantu immigrants in Buffalo, NY, feeding the hungry in Benton Harbor, MI, etc. Our pastor offers free counseling, volunteers at the hospital, visits the elderly, comforts the bereaved and prepares a weekly sermon. We offer our building free of charge to local community organizations. We would have to close our doors if we were taxed beyond the payroll taxes and local sidewalk taxes and such that we have to pay. Read the list above again and think how many lives would be affected if our one little church closed its doors.
Taxes reflect public policy. We tax behaviors that we want to discourage, and we give tax credits or exemptions to things or behaviors that we want to encourage. Historically, we have wanted to encourage public morality through church attendance, and to discourage public immorality such as drinking and smoking.
Churches and non-profits should definitely not be taxed. Why penalize those who are trying to reach out and help others in their life, either spiritually or otherwise?
No because they’re a non-profit organization and they don’t make any money that they could use as taxes.
-KrIsTiN-
So is Christianity an addiction now?
One of the reasons churches are non profit is because of the good they do society. There are some services the state cannot reasonably supply. Having worked in social service, those mired in the beuracracy big government brings were so futile. Those where the people were in it for a faith reason – almost ANY faith – often really worked well. There was such a committment beyond personal gain. Our govenment is friendly with all faiths, in theory. There is a separation between the STATE church; we have no worries on that one. There is an understanding and affirmation of GOD and belief in our government that has proven good.
Many who are shams are caught all the time. And at this time many are talking about changing – deleting our forms of taxation at ALL – for ANYONE ! Taxation was WHY WE LEFT ENGLAND! The universal personal tax is pretty new historically, and has been controversial from the start. It is not in the constitution. Government has the right to raise money. It is not specified how. How about a huge bake sale, anyone?
No, cigarettes and alcohol should be taxed because it is costing tax payers money through healthcare and other needs of people that smoke and drink.
I dont think Churches should be taxed. Our Church runs a food bank and all sorts of stuff like that. If you force them to pay taxes then they wont beable to do that and you will have to pay out more food stamps to all the people who havent applied because the church is taking care of them but if the church stopped being able to then they would have to apply and then it would increase your taxes to feed those people.
Someone needs a real education on what the seperation of church and state means. Actually, what it doesn’t mean. It’s not in the constitution, bill of rights, or anything else. The only place it can be found, apart from in very misguided court rulings, is in a personal letter from Thomas Jefferson to a friend. It’s not a part of America’s founding documents.
Posted 12/26/2006 1:34 PM by RvL1978
*claps*
Why do so many fail to understand what RvL1978 said?
And to answer your question, Dan, the answer is no. If you need a better explanation, read what trunthepaige said. She took the words right out of my mouth.
Leave the little churches alone – tax fast and junk food.
I don’t think that they should tax Churches cuz GOD gave us enough and all he wants us to do is Worship him for forgiving our sins. And plus people give there chruch money it is called an offering.i don’t think that they should and smoking and drinking is an Addiction us should have to pay and tax on ur addiction. if you don’t like taxes on that then you shouldn’t drink or smoke. And God might be Addiciton,but it is a good Addiction and you shouldn’t have to be taxed to show your religion. Religion can’t get you killed in the U.S smoking and drinking can kill you and other people. GOD is for everyone and the people that don’t believe well he created you and he loves you no matter what and you shouldn’t have to be taxed to Worship him or Jesus. Who ever believes in this is ……..
from a 14yr old christian
No,They should not tax churches,or any other non-profit organizations.I agree with what I read in an earlier comment on what “seperation of church and state”,really means.Many Churches help alot of indigent folks out there,who are not able to help themselves at that time.They also get taken advantage of in this same aspect too.The “CHURCH”,is not a building,per say…BUT the Christian people who are the Body of Christ.That is the Church,not a Building.As an American Citizen,we have the ‘RIGHT’ of FREEDOM OF SPEECH,FREEDOM OF RELIGION and other rights,that are violated everyday.Sorry,didn’t exactly mean to get off track there in my comment.
Why are you giving the spotlight to an unintelligent and poorly thought-out comment?
Yeah, I think so.
“Someone made to comment about why pastors get all their shit paid or something. Well those pastors have families and kids of thier own. So in order to get a viable church leadership, its necessary to make usre that they can riase a family and be a man of God. Most dont get paid to much. Mine makes 32k a year. And he has 3 sons.
Posted 12/26/2006 6:00 PM by Statist_Gentry”
Yup that would be me. I didn’t realize cable television was a “necessity” to be a man of God. I guess I need to study up more on that…ROFL. There are A LOT of people in the US who make 32k a year or less, who have children, etc., and are still expected to pay their own bills. My opinion is that being a pastor of a church does not mean that you should be extended any other pay privledges than a normal citizen. That extra money per month could go towards lots of charitable things in other places.
I am sorry I can’t remember who it was off of the top of my head who listed all the wonderful things her church does to help people around the world. Hearing things like that are nice for a change.
When the preacher buys a couple of Mercedes and a Lexus to sit pretty in his driveway every year, and doesn’t pay property tax on his house, because it’s “church property,” and doesn’t pay taxes on his income, because legally, he has no income- groceries, clothes, etc.- it’s all church expenses (which aren’t taxed…) Get the picture?
But really, I don’t think that churchs should be taxed. Nor should non-profit charitable organizations. Nor should for-profit corporations. Let’s go to the FairTax.
no. thats why the protestants came over from england…the church was getting too powerful with the government, as in….giving them too much money.
hence, the non-PROFIT law.
actualy, if i remember correctly(from history class, i wasnt actually there) it was because the GOVERNMENT was getting to powerful in the CHURCH. ie. worship this way at this church and give this… or else. the so-called seperation of church and state was not designed to protect the government from the church, but to protect the church(every church be it catholic, protostant, muslim, jewish, whatever) from the government. yet every day we violate the first amendment “shall not pass laws respecting the establishment of a religion OR INHIBITING THE FREE EXERCISE THEREOF” by telling children that they may not pray or read their holy books in school, even though if they didnt show up we would take them from their parents. not only that but these same children in these same schools are indoctrinated against the faith of their parents on a daily basis by their teachers, and if anyone should speak up and say “hey, why not present all sides of this argument” they are put out as being backward and barbaric.
Depends. Churches should be because they use the money to build churches and all of that. They don’t help people with problems (unless you want to consider “possession” a problem…).
Charity orgs I don’t think so because that’s going to people who need it.
m/
cigarrettes- physical harm
churches- no physical harm.
No way! Well, at least those not-that-wealthy churches.
Actually, it depends on how you look at it.
-ALoudSilence
no. its church…
No. Some people are just soreheads. The churches and non-profit organizations that I am associated with use their donations to help disadvantaged people and they do it better than the government can do. What a stupid idea.
L,r
I agree churches should not be taxed most of the local churches do help out the needy or in time of crisis, now having said that the ones that should be taxed is the televangelist that all they do is buy more $1000.00 dollar suits and rolexs. If they are truly helping people and not making a profit, fine. But how many of the televangelist say send me the money if you don’t have it God will provide. The people that send there food money will be blessed but the “sharks” should be taxed and made accountable ah to bad they may have to sell one of there Rolls Royce’s.
Why tax churches? Our tax system should learn a thing or two from them. You’re free to come and go as you please, and all operations are run on a donations-based budget. The government, esentially, would not be able to do anything unless the people wanted it done. Once a year, around tax day, the government would act real nice to get us to cough up some cash. Knowing we the people were in charge of the funding might get the politicians moving in the right direction, even.
I don’t take that commenter’s opinion seriously and have no opinion on it because it was so hard to read. Capitalization and proper sentence structure goes a long way towards my understanding of what someone is trying to say. And it’s non-PROFIT, not non-prophet. That’s one of the saddest and most ironic homonym mixups I’ve ever seen. ugh.
Uh no.. they don’t really make any profits , so taxing them would shut them down.
uhm, if it’s nonprofit…..what would be the point? and I think going to church would be better than smoking a cigarette….what kind of logic are you running on there buddy? You want people to tax churches to earn money for NONPROFIT organizations? And the reason they tax cigarettes and liqour and gambling is to get people to stop doing because it’s extremely unhealthy and dangerous for you, so basically you want a tax on church to make people not go anymore, meaning you want people to give up their faiths because it would cost them money because they would have to pay that tax so they can be worthy enough to practice their own religion? And cosmetic surgery is a whole other deal, who acres about that, why did you attack that all of a sudden?
No.