Should Churches Remain Tax-Exempt?

[Godscreated]

If larger churches do enough physical charity to be considered nonprofit, good for them. Now let them file the paperwork just like every other nonprofit. They shouldn't be above the rules

Separation of church and state, don't you just hate it when something works for an entity you disagree with.

No, I do not hate it. Ideally, the government should be neutral so no, I wouldn't hate it if our constitution is applied equally to even organizations with which I disagree. You must have missed my statement that pastors and other religious leaders would be able to influence their congregations political views if they are taxed. I disagree with most religious leaders but I support their right to free speech.

Pastor do have to pay income tax, social security tax and whatever other taxes are deducted from a paycheck. Pastors can have political conversations with there congregation and do.

What does filing paperwork have to do with the fact that religious institutions are not above the law? The first amendment says that the government won't either favor one religion over the other and also, that it won't impede the practice of religion. There is no reason that filing paperwork would hurt the practice of religion.

Really, want impede the practice of religion, refusing prayer in school, taking the Ten Commandments out of schools, court, and all other government buildings is not impeding. I'm sure you don't see it that way but the churches do. No public prayer at school sporting events, for Christian worship doesn't stop at the church building's doors, it is a daily practical life.

I did not ignore what you wrote, you just don't like my response.

I think that I have respectfully responded to your points but I wish that you didn't make it sound as if you were a little child saying the equivalent of, "I am rubber, you are glue."

I haven't done anything close to what atheist do to Christians, or do you not read all the childish stuff supposed adults say. I've not been disrespectful to you, actually I thought this conversation was going well. But if you do not think so then you need to bring up the specific thing/s said.

Christians are currently in the schools, courts and government services.

That's the right of the individuals, has nothing to do with separation of church and state. All citizens have the right to be in any organization of government.

What? It sounds as if you are saying that religious organizations should have more rights then the individuals that belong to them.

Not sure how you got that out of what I said, I was actually pointing out that individuals have more rights. The church is actually the people that gather together to worship.

Name me one organization that the individual Christian can't say a prayer or read a bible while visiting. Guess what? There isn't one.

Your right, as far as I know there are none but, again I say that is an individual's right as a citizen of this country. This has noting to do with the church and it's beliefs as an entity.

What is your definition of a church? Last that I checked, churches were made up of individuals. Individuals have rights.

A body of people that come together to worship God and practice the guidelines set forth in scriptures. Yes the individual has rights, but the church as an established religion has much less and, the ideas the individuals carry that are established by the church can't be used everywhere.

Christian students can pray during school and they can read their bibles. They can't disrupt the other students, of course, by forcing someone to pray with them.

I do not know any case of students forcing other students to pray, I do know there has been many times students have been stopped by teachers from praying.

I was clarifying what the rights of students.

Violated by teachers who push their ideas on students, with out the right to do so I might add.

Teachers can not lead the students in prayers because that would be conceived as a government official favoring one religion over the other. That would not change. Let me repeat that in bold letters. THAT WOULD NOT CHANGE.

Why if a Muslim teacher wanted to lead a prayer in school, the Muslim students could participate and the rest would be able to set quite and observe another culture, same for Hindus, Christians and so forth, no favorites there.

We can already share each others' culture in school without having anyone lead prayers in the classroom. If the teacher wishes to teach about other cultures she can let members of different religions talk about their faith or even read about their prayers without actually leading anyone in prayer.

I doubt a math teacher's going to allow that much time away from the subject he/she teaches, their job does hinge on the ability of their students at test time. In high school many students do not share the same classes and homeroom doesn't have that much time. However homeroom would be a good place for oral prayer, by each religion represented, on a rotating basis.

All religions that are taxed would be able to display there religious symbols and creeds on public property, they would be able to carry out prayer in local government as part of their proceedings. School lead prayer at ball games, prayers to start the day of school and ect. I'm not calling for government to favor one religion over another, I've just been defending the Christian church because it's the one atheist always go after.

The reason that religious symbols aren't displayed on public property is because of the first amendment and doesn't have anything to do with taxes.

The reason churches don't pay taxes is because the constitution calls for separation of church and state.

GC

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All religions that are taxed would be able to display there religious symbols and creeds on public property ...

There is not enough room at city hall for every religious symbol and creed, so which ones should we ignore and which ones should we favor?

... they would be able to carry out prayer in local government as part of their proceedings. School lead prayer at ball games, prayers to start the day of school and ect.

Which prayers of which denominations? To favor every religion, there would no time for the football game, school etc.. So again, who do we favor and who do we ignore?

None, all that's represented can if they desire to participate.

GC

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If your religion needs government's assistance to survive, it must be some serious weaksauce.

The government subsidizes millionaire farmers all the time, and for what to protect there interests. We've survived a long time without it, I was pointing out a right that comes with paying taxes.

GC