Should Churches Remain Tax-Exempt?

[Thumpalumpacus]

Like I said earlier tax the church and then watch us gain access to schools and courts and all other government that we see fit to. You can't have your cake and it it too.

GC

As if you're not trying, and in some cases succeeding, already?

Why, then, are you complaining about this discussion?

Believe me, if you try to stuff your church into my son's schools, you'll see what the fuck a loudmouth can do. Dipshit.

[Nope]

Why should a church not be held accountable?
Simply because they're a religious organization?
That's the definition of special pleading.
Churches are not sacred, holy, devine, or any other bs label you wanna hang on Them.
The Catholic church alone is a multi-billion dollar organization. Their corporate headquarters The Vatican, is a sovereign state. They're probably the most corrupt company on Earth, and you think we should give them special privileges and tax breaks?

We can't tax the Vatican, it's recognized by the world as a sovereign state, as you said.
Like I said earlier tax the church and then watch us gain access to schools and courts and all other government that we see fit to. You can't have your cake and it it too.

GC

The only change in for religious institutions that pay taxes would be that their pastors could urge voters from the pulpit. That is it.

Kids can pray in school but teachers can't lead prayers. That would not change because the government would still not be allowed to favor one religion over the other. You have access to the court and government now. No one is preventing religious people from voting. What extra right would paying taxes give a religious institution?

[Thumpalumpacus]

Why doesn't your god provide for your needs? You mean to tell me he can create a Universe, but he can't write a check?





"But he needs money!"

Put your money where your mouth is, Christian. Pray for your god's support, and let's see how fast you go broke.

[Chad32]

Why should a church not be held accountable?
Simply because they're a religious organization?
That's the definition of special pleading.
Churches are not sacred, holy, devine, or any other bs label you wanna hang on Them.
The Catholic church alone is a multi-billion dollar organization. Their corporate headquarters The Vatican, is a sovereign state. They're probably the most corrupt company on Earth, and you think we should give them special privileges and tax breaks?

We can't tax the Vatican, it's recognized by the world as a sovereign state, as you said.
Like I said earlier tax the church and then watch us gain access to schools and courts and all other government that we see fit to. You can't have your cake and it it too.

GC

And that would be fine. We're not saying tax the church and keep them out of the government. We're saying if they're going to be in the government, they should be taxed.

[Godscreated]

I get why business are taxed, they sale things for a profit, churches do not and I receive nothing material in return, I also have to pay more taxes for the right to purchase things from 7-11. 7-11 is not a religion and there is in this country a separation of church and state. Tax the churches and we become like all others and can get back into the schools, courts and all government. Things come with a price.

GC

Churches, especially mega churches do make a profit. They are selling their believes to you for your tithe and donations. Religion is their product.

Nope, they do not sell me religion, I do not practice religion. What I give to the church is voluntary, it's not a requirement. If religion was sold then one would be obligated to pay for services rendered.

If we taxed churches, smaller ones would probably be exempt because they don't make much profit after they pay for things like electricity and the cost of the building but the very large churches would either have to start doing physical charity like actually feeding the hungry or they would pay taxes.

You have no idea what the bigger churches do if you don't they feed the poor and do many other community services the local governments want do or can't afford to do.
Like I said earlier if you want to tax the churches then you will have to accept we will be back in the schools, courts and any other government services you do not want us in, separation means just that. Taxing the church will make us like all others, all inclusive.

GC

[robvalue]

Tax them, keep them out of government, tax them again, then smash every church to pieces!

[Godscreated]

We can't tax the Vatican, it's recognized by the world as a sovereign state, as you said.
Like I said earlier tax the church and then watch us gain access to schools and courts and all other government that we see fit to. You can't have your cake and it it too.

GC

And that would be fine. We're not saying tax the church and keep them out of the government. We're saying if they're going to be in the government, they should be taxed.

We've been kicked out of the schools and all government buildings, we're told to keep what we believe in side our buildings, even businesses have begun to forbid there employees to tell people marry Christmas. That is violating there right to free speech, they have been pushed by the ACLU and it's policies people are now restricted to express there speech and belief. The ACLU's agenda is to silence all eventually, wait and see.
So, you would be fine with prayer in school and all government meetings, I can just hear the screaming from the ACLU and their supporters.
GC

[FatAndFaithless]

Oh GC, your representation of Christian persecution is so pathetic that I'd almost feel sorry for you if it wasn't such utter horseshit falsehoods.

[Minimalist]

the church sales nothing

The church sells 'salvation' to the gullible. Look at you.

[Godscreated]

We can't tax the Vatican, it's recognized by the world as a sovereign state, as you said.
Like I said earlier tax the church and then watch us gain access to schools and courts and all other government that we see fit to. You can't have your cake and it it too.

GC

The only change in for religious institutions that pay taxes would be that their pastors could urge voters from the pulpit. That is it.

Kids can pray in school but teachers can't lead prayers. That would not change because the government would still not be allowed to favor one religion over the other. You have access to the court and government now. No one is preventing religious people from voting. What extra right would paying taxes give a religious institution?

Citizens vote regardless of their belief or unbelief, why, because it's a right afforded to all citizens of this country, whether they pay taxes or not.
No teachers would be able to lead prayer, when churches start to pay taxes the separation of church and state goes out the window, it will be then people will see a greater influence of the Christian church on this country. Prayer is not allowed in those places either, nor the Ten Commandments, what was will be re-established. All the rights afforded any tax paying institution.

GC