RE: Should Churches Remain Tax-Exempt?
December 11, 2014 at 11:16 pm
(This post was last modified: December 11, 2014 at 11:19 pm by Godscreated.)
(December 11, 2014 at 9:48 pm)Jenny A Wrote: The first amendment doesn't say anything about separation of church and state. It merely prohibits Congress from: "impeding the free exercise of religion." I don't see how taxing religious clubs, i.e. churches in the same way other clubs are taxed impedes the free exercise of religion anymore than taxing Christians generally in the same way as other people are taxed impedes the free exercise of religion.
The first amendment also prohibits: "the making of any law respecting an establishment of religion." Spending public money on icons or placing then in publicly owned spaces is the establishment of religion.
We've argued whether the constitution calls for separation of church and state, did you participate in that. All the atheist here said the constitution called for the separation of church and state, seem you three are the only atheist here who believe the constitution doesn't call for that separation. You all should get together on your notes so you can argue alike on such profound doctrine.
GC
(December 11, 2014 at 10:00 pm)Heywood Wrote:(December 11, 2014 at 9:55 pm)Nope Wrote: Several years ago, I was watching an O'Reilly episode in which he became arranged because some town allowed atheists to put up a display next to a Christian display.
Personally, I wouldn't mind having multiple symbols on public property but it is the right leaning Christians who would go crazy over it. They can't even handle a cashier saying Happy Holidays. How do you think that they would react to the sight of a Satanic statue next to their nativity scene?
I imagine they would then take the position that no religious icons be displayed at City Hall.
Not me, it would give the religions a platform on which to debate openly in the view of the public.
GC
God loves those who believe and those who do not and the same goes for me, you have no choice in this matter. That puts the matter of total free will to rest.