Ministers Threatened with Jail/Fines For Refusing to Officiate at Gay Weddings

[Brakeman]

The real question in my mind is whether religious organizations should have tax exempt status just because they are religious organizations. I think the answer to that question is no. Only separate charitable, political, or educational arms of a church should have tax exempt status and that status should have the same requirements as those for secular organizations including anti-discriminatory laws. Granting them tax exempt status simply because they are churches is the establishment of religion.

- bolded by me

Suppose a church could not afford to pay its property tax. Would the government then be entitled to seize the church and auction it off? Wouldn't such a seizure deprive the members of the church the ability to worship God as they see fit?

Keeping churches tax exempt makes it a little easier to maintain the church/state separation in my opinion.

A church isn't a religion and it doesn't pay taxes, the congregation does. A church is simply a part of the congregation's wealth. If they didn't pay the taxes and the state took possession of the building, would it affect anyone's religiosity? NO. Would it take any individuals rights away? No.

The constitution protects the rights of individual beliefs and freedoms, not the rights of religious incorporational possession.