Should Churches Remain Tax-Exempt?

[robvalue]

I don't want to destroy religion as such, that would be impossible. People can and should believe whatever they like. It's the privilege and power that Religion has that I despise. Also the harm that it does, which is plenty. Also, indoctrination should be considered child abuse in my opinion.

Religion doesn't even need it's own building or business to exist, you can just meet up and do whatever. Why expect special treatment? It is indeed a business, people turn up and pay for services. It's not a charity, and it's not prepared to file under proper procedure for tax exemption. Religion is simply belief in nonsense, but people still make a living out of that business and it should not be given special status.

Say I start my own religion, I don't get given a building. I would be expected to buy and maintain one, including paying taxes on earnings, if that's what at I wanted to do. Everyone who spends money at a business has already had their money taxed once.

If I invent a nonsense element to another form of business, should that then get tax exemption?

Religion is not special, that is my point. It's not magical, and certainly not obviously good. It's just believing made up stuff. The government giving tax breaks to help keep delusions going seems a bit...

And if you really believe in religion, God relying on tax breaks is pretty weak.

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If all the harmful elements of religion were addressed, I would have no problem with it. But right now, they are in abundance.