Damned Christians

[Oldandeasilyconfused]

Scientology is beyond the pale.  I've never understood how they conned any government into recognising them as a religion with tax exemption. On reflection, no ta long

I've never understood why any religion could con governments into thinking they were entitled to tax exemptions.  Even when I was still catholic.

 Possibly because people were much more devout and afraid of going to hell.  More likely that in days of yore, the church was incredibly powerful. It was common for higher ranking clerics (bishops, cardinals)  to have lots of different hats.

What really happened? Perhaps;  In days long passed direct taxation was a  sometime thing. Direct taxes were usually levied for specific reasons, such as a war. At the time the church would have strongly suggested that it wasn't seemly to tax Holy Mother Church. It would have been a brave king who tried to Tax the church.

Personal income tax was introduced in England in 1799 as a temporary measure to finance the Napoleonic wars. A flat rate of 2 pence in the pound  (144 pence) for incomes of 60 pounds or more. At that time, the government would still not have the courage or impiety to tax the church.  By exempting the church from paying taxes, the crown lost vast sums of money even then. Today, the amount would be eye watering. The tax exemption of the churches became so ingrained that it remains all but impossible to remove. One of the things about  organised religion which makes me livid.  Not to worry, Christianity at least in in decline. It will continue to decline until it no longer have influence through millions of members. THEN churches will start paying taxes. Or not


Addendum: The church has never been able to evade indirect tax as far as I know.  Here we have indirect taxes on say cars, petrol and tobacco and lots of other stuff. . Plus we have a 10% Goods And Services Tax on everything except essentials, such as food.