Problems with Christian Church

[Kingpin]

Great replies thus far! One thing that has surprised me is several are bothered by the tax-exempt status of churches. Would you suggest eliminating tax exemption completely, for all "religious" reasons? Perhaps it only remains for charity organizations only?

@Jenny A - what drove you away from Christianity?

@Redbeard - Are you referring to contemporary music? It seems like music coming out of several centuries ago was positively influenced (I'm thinking of Bach, Handel, Haydn, etc.)

Personally, I think if an organization is going to be tax-exempt, they should be a charity, they should have to apply, and they should have completely public and transparent books. If churches want tax exempt status, they should be required to do a certain amount of secular charity work that benefits the public each year (fundraisers for church needs/projects don't count, and missionary work does not count).


And yeah, I'm referring to contemporary Christian rock and contemporary Christian film, mostly. Modern Christian media should be insulting to Christians, honestly. Instead of making the best product they can, they tend to just throw together some half-assed shit knowing they'll make money on it because Jesus people will buy even a sub-par product as long as it has Jesus paint on it. They really just don't respect their audience enough to shoot for quality.

Pink, keep in mind adding churches to the 501c3 exemption status was put in place by LBJ in 1954 to limit the churches influence in social policy.  It's essentially the governments way of paying the church to stay quiet.  For a 501c3 church to openly speak out, or organize in opposition to, anything that the government declares "legal," even if it is immoral (e.g. abortion, homosexuality, etc.), that church will jeopardize its tax exempt status. The 501c3 has had a "chilling effect" upon the free speech rights of the church.  However, despite that I 100% agree with you on what should be required of a tax exempt organization.