Should Churches Remain Tax-Exempt?

[Jenny A]

Because it's a church. Duh! Or in other words special pleading.

It is not a special pleading because there is a valid reason for the exception.....that reason being the First Amendment.

Separation of church and state has never required that churches get any relief from the laws applicable to everyone else, unless the law directly contradicts the practice of their religion.

Church buildings are subject to fire codes, building codes, not to mention zoning. With the exception of allowing churches to require some types of employees to be adherents to the faith, churches are subject to the same anti-discrimination laws as everyone else. They are also required to adhere to employment tax laws. What is different about requiring them to pay money on the amounts the collect from church members let alone on money made in church owned business and investments?

Special higher taxes for churches would be prohibition. Level taxes is not.