tax exempt status for religions

[Don Quixote]

i think that religions should not have any tax exempt status except for charitable work that does not further their religious views

and no tax exemptions for real estate owned by religious institutions

 

[WinterBorn]

I would exempt them from property taxes for the main worship hall or sanctuary, and for the living quarters of the minister or pastor. Other than that, unless it is directly involved with charity work, they pay taxes on it.

 

[Cancel 2018. 3]

yes....keep the government as far away as possible from religion

 

[Bonestorm]

yes....keep the government as far away as possible from religion

But tax exempt status is a benefit provided to religious organizations by the government.

Or maybe I'm misunderstanding your point. The way I see it, exchanging tax exempt status for religious organizations refraining from political activity is a trade-off that I gladly accept. Is that what you're getting at?

 

[WinterBorn]

But tax exempt status is a benefit provided to religious organizations by the government.

Or maybe I'm misunderstanding your point. The way I see it, exchanging tax exempt status for religious organizations refraining from political activity is a trade-off that I gladly accept. Is that what you're getting at?

I doubt you will ever get religion out of politics. Religious beliefs unite large numbers of people and organize communities.

What I disagree with is them having tax exempt status for private schools, gymnasiums, and huge tracts of expensive property.

 

[Bonestorm]

I doubt you will ever get religion out of politics. Religious beliefs unite large numbers of people and organize communities.

What I disagree with is them having tax exempt status for private schools, gymnasiums, and huge tracts of expensive property.

I'm not talking about getting religion out of politics. That obviously will never happen. But as it stands now, organizations that are tax exempt are required to refrain from political activities, otherwise they forgo their tax exempt status. If that weren't the case, you'd have churches endorsing candidates, telling their parishioners to vote for particular candidates lest they go to hell, and the like.

I understand that some religious groups abuse the status (the latest hubbub I've heard about is churches opening fitness centers and undercutting local gym on price because they're tax exempt) but as a general matter I think the trade-off is a good thing. However, to the extent that religious orgs are basically operating businesses (like gyms), the status shouldn't apply.

 

[NOVA]

Some of you might like to read and have someone explain the Constitution to you, especially concerning religion and the free exercise thereof.

 

[Bonestorm]

Some of you might like to read and have someone explain the Constitution to you, especially concerning religion and the free exercise thereof.

Perhaps you could enlighten us. FYI, there is no right to tax exempt status.

 

[WinterBorn]

Some of you might like to read and have someone explain the Constitution to you, especially concerning religion and the free exercise thereof.

No one is arguing about religious freedom.

What we are discussing is the tax exempt status that churches have.

 

[Don Quixote]

But tax exempt status is a benefit provided to religious organizations by the government.

Or maybe I'm misunderstanding your point. The way I see it, exchanging tax exempt status for religious organizations refraining from political activity is a trade-off that I gladly accept. Is that what you're getting at?

no, i think that all religions should not have tax exempt status except as stated in my opening paragraph

why should i, a non-believer in religions (except my own, and that does not accept tax exempt status) support religious institutions

atheists and agnostics profit not from religious tax exemptions but pay extra taxes due to religious institutions exemptions

 

[Liberty]

Perhaps you could enlighten us. FYI, there is no right to tax exempt status.

To just get this out there,,,

I'm led to believe that Virginia has state laws that don't conform to the rest of the states concerning this issue.

I'd bet on this one.

 

[Good Luck]

i think that religions should not have any tax exempt status except for charitable work that does not further their religious views

and no tax exemptions for real estate owned by religious institutions

Charitable work is not the only thing that qualifies an organization for tax exempt status. In fact the qualifying description is "community benefit organization".

For instance, National Audubon Society is tax exempt organization - yet they do no charitable work. They do other types of work that are considered of benefit to society (community). There are several hundred other examples of community benefit organizations who enjoy tax exempt status, but do no charitable work.

Since most people who attend churches would decidedly claim they derive benefit from them, even without the innumerable community benefit programs - both charitable and otherwise that churches run - then churches fall into the community benefit category.

 

[Don Quixote]

Charitable work is not the only thing that qualifies an organization for tax exempt status. In fact the qualifying description is "community benefit organization".

For instance, National Audubon Society is tax exempt organization - yet they do no charitable work. They do other types of work that are considered of benefit to society (community). There are several hundred other examples of community benefit organizations who enjoy tax exempt status, but do no charitable work.

Since most people who attend churches would decidedly claim they derive benefit from them, even without the innumerable community benefit programs - both charitable and otherwise that churches run - then churches fall into the community benefit category.

please remember my first statement- -'i think that religions should not have any tax exempt status except for charitable work that does not further their religious views'

i am willing to concede that some religions perform 'community benefits' but they are rarely altruistic and are usually performed to promote their brand of religion

 

[WinterBorn]

Charitable work is not the only thing that qualifies an organization for tax exempt status. In fact the qualifying description is "community benefit organization".

For instance, National Audubon Society is tax exempt organization - yet they do no charitable work. They do other types of work that are considered of benefit to society (community). There are several hundred other examples of community benefit organizations who enjoy tax exempt status, but do no charitable work.

Since most people who attend churches would decidedly claim they derive benefit from them, even without the innumerable community benefit programs - both charitable and otherwise that churches run - then churches fall into the community benefit category.

Thats pretty vague grounds for a tax exempt status. Most people that attend the gym I go to would say they derive benefit from it.

I am not arguing against the benefits of churches and their work. I am pointing out that many times the churches hold significant assets that do little for the community.

 

[NOVA]

Perhaps you could enlighten us. FYI, there is no right to tax exempt status.

AMENDMENT 1

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof;

Taxing religion in any way, including its Churches or any other buildings or property of said Church or religion would by by its nature prohibit the establishment and/or the free exercise thereof to some degree....

This is specifically forbidden by the First Amendment and that interpretation has been recognized for over 2 centuries........\

Is that a bit over your head ?

 

[Minister of Truth]

Its a language barrier between leftists and conservatives, as always.

Leftists worship taxes
Conservatives worship God

How could taxes possibly be punative, restrictive, or tyrannical, unless you're a knuckle-dragging American colonist?

 

[Don Quixote]

AMENDMENT 1

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof;

Taxing religion in any way, including its Churches or any other buildings or property of said Church or religion would by by its nature prohibit the establishment and/or the free exercise thereof to some degree....

This is specifically forbidden by the First Amendment and that interpretation has been recognized for over 2 centuries........\

Is that a bit over your head ?

actually, giving tax advantages to religion may be argued as providing establishment of religion over non-religions

as for taxing, does not the bible say 'render unto caeser that which is caeser's'

and if everyone pays taxes, then how does taxing religions prevent their free exercise - religions have to purchase their physical needs such as churches, temples, vestments, etc. so why not pay for the city, county, state and federal services provided - churches have to pay their water, heating and cooling bills so why not for the roads that permit their worshipers to travel to church

larger religions benefit more than smaller religions and new religions have to fight through initial phases to claim tax exempt status which costs money

tax exempt status gives religions an advantage over other businesses - a religion should be able to raise sufficient funds to provide for its needs

if religions rent space for services, should the landlord be able to claim a tax exemption or should he discount their rent even if he does not believe in the religion

 

[NOVA]

actually, giving tax advantages to religion may be argued as providing establishment of religion over non-religions

What the hell is non-religious?
Is that a football team? The Moose Lodge? Maybe the PTA?

as for taxing, does not the bible say 'render unto caeser that which is caeser's'
Irrelevant nonsense....strawman crap at best

and if everyone pays taxes, then how does taxing religions prevent their free exercise - religions have to purchase their physical needs such as churches, temples, vestments, etc. so why not pay for the city, county, state and federal services provided - churches have to pay their water, heating and cooling bills so why not for the roads that permit their worshipers to travel to church
The worshippers already pay for the roads that permit them to travel to Church....are you for fuckin' real..???

larger religions benefit more than smaller religions and new religions have to fight through initial phases to claim tax exempt status which costs money

tax exempt status gives religions an advantage over other businesses - a religion should be able to raise sufficient funds to provide for its needs

Religion isn't a business....

if religions rent space for services, should the landlord be able to claim a tax exemption or should he discount their rent even if he does not believe in the religion
A landlord is free to do whatever the hell he wants....

Thats about the most ridiculous nonsense I've read in months....DQ ?
I've never considered you a pinhead before but with this "post full of crap" , it is with great sadness I put your name on the PINHEAD LIST,,,
Only in pencil for now, because you might just be having a bad brain day....

 

[Bonestorm]

AMENDMENT 1

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof;

Taxing religion in any way, including its Churches or any other buildings or property of said Church or religion would by by its nature prohibit the establishment and/or the free exercise thereof to some degree....

This is specifically forbidden by the First Amendment and that interpretation has been recognized for over 2 centuries........\

Is that a bit over your head ?

Nah, it isn't over my head. It's just silly.

 

[Don Quixote]

Originally Posted by DonQuixote
actually, giving tax advantages to religion may be argued as providing establishment of religion over non-religions

What the hell is non-religious?
Is that a football team? The Moose Lodge? Maybe the PTA?

perhaps i should have said non-religious institutions

as for taxing, does not the bible say 'render unto caeser that which is caeser's'
Irrelevant nonsense....strawman crap at best

are not taxes caeser's (government)

and if everyone pays taxes, then how does taxing religions prevent their free exercise - religions have to purchase their physical needs such as churches, temples, vestments, etc. so why not pay for the city, county, state and federal services provided - churches have to pay their water, heating and cooling bills so why not for the roads that permit their worshipers to travel to church
The worshippers already pay for the roads that permit them to travel to Church....are you for fuckin' real..???

what about those that do not follow an organized religion - they pay for a portion - and it is not just roads that are supported by taxes - it is the totality of government services

larger religions benefit more than smaller religions and new religions have to fight through initial phases to claim tax exempt status which costs money

tax exempt status gives religions an advantage over other businesses - a religion should be able to raise sufficient funds to provide for its needs

Religion isn't a business....

i never should have started this thread, but i call my self don quixote for a reason - I consider religions businesses

i knew that i would offend many on this board with this post, but i felt the need to do so, otherwise i could not voice my opinion of organized religion, which is, organized religion has done more harm over the years than good

if religions rent space for services, should the landlord be able to claim a tax exemption or should he discount their rent even if he does not believe in the religion

A landlord is free to do whatever the hell he wants.... ok