Should churches, synagogues & mosques etc. be taxed?

Should churches, synagogues & mosques etc. be taxed?

  • Total voters
    10
  • Poll closed .
Damocles said:
The government doesn't have rights, it has a list of powers that are curtailed by our rights. One of those rights specifically states that no law, including tax law, can promote or establish religion. Because most are believers and they want their church to get the breaks they feel good about such a promotion, but that doesn't make it right.
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You got it wrong Damo. First it is not promoting a specific religion to give an exemption to all religions. Second by giving tax exemptions to non-profits, religious or otherwise, the only thing the government is promoting is non-profits.
 
Damocles said:
The government doesn't have rights, it has a list of powers that are curtailed by our rights. One of those rights specifically states that no law, including tax law, can promote or establish religion. Because most are believers and they want their church to get the breaks they feel good about such a promotion, but that doesn't make it right.
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i should have said powers...you're right

however, it does not have unlimited power to tax...and by not taxing certain non profit entities, it is not promoting them, it simply is not taxing them. the government doesn't tax the poor, are you saying the government promotes poverty?
 
Mojo said:
What makes you say that?
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have you not noticed that the god game pays well for those with show business skills

also, consider how much money the vatican receives from churches world wide

the principal victims of the god game show business are the elderly who have grown afraid of what death really means
 
Damocles said:
The government doesn't have rights, it has a list of powers that are curtailed by our rights. One of those rights specifically states that no law, including tax law, can promote or establish religion. Because most are believers and they want their church to get the breaks they feel good about such a promotion, but that doesn't make it right.
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tax laws that favor religions, especially well established religions are a burden on the non-religious
 
Mojo said:
Currently most religious organizations escape taxation by applying for tax exemptions.


"To be tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, an organization must be organized and operated exclusively for exempt purposes set forth in section 501(c)(3), and none of its earnings may inure to any private shareholder or individual.

In addition, it may not be an action organization, i.e., it may not attempt to influence legislation as a substantial part of its activities and it may not participate in any campaign activity for or against political candidates.

Organizations described in section 501(c)(3) are commonly referred to as charitable organizations. Organizations described in section 501(c)(3), other than testing for public safety organizations, are eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions in accordance with Code section 170.

The organization must not be organized or operated for the benefit of private interests, and no part of a section 501(c)(3) organization's net earnings may inure to the benefit of any private shareholder or individual.

If the organization engages in an excess benefit transaction with a person having substantial influence over the organization, an excise tax may be imposed on the person and any organization managers agreeing to the transaction.

Section 501(c)(3) organizations are restricted in how much political and legislative (lobbying) activities they may conduct.

For a detailed discussion, see Political and Lobbying Activities.

For more information about lobbying activities by charities, see the article Lobbying Issues; for more information about political activities of charities, see the FY-2002 CPE topic Election Year Issues."

http://www.irs.gov/charities/charitable/article/0,,id=96099,00.html

Should churches, synagogues & mosques etc. be taxed?
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As far as I'm concerned the entry fee to participate in political activities is taxes.
 
Ice Dancer said:
Then you should have phrased your question "should non-profits" get a tax exemption?
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I think any non-profit who meets the legal requirements for exemption that do good public works should be exempt but as with Churches the price to be paid for direct participation or advocacy in politics or the political process is taxation.
 
Schadenfreude said:
tax laws that favor religions, especially well established religions are a burden on the non-religious
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Nothing does more to support freedom of religion (and freedom from religion) as well as to promote the diversity of religion and to promote the popularity of the free practice of religion then to exempt them from taxes. The one small price they have to pay for this so to have no direct involvement of advocacy in politics.
 
Mott the Hoople said:
Nothing does more to support freedom of religion (and freedom from religion) as well as to promote the diversity of religion and to promote the popularity of the free practice of religion then to exempt them from taxes. The one small price they have to pay for this so to have no direct involvement of advocacy in politics.
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Where is it written that churches cannot advocate in politics? I think you're making stuff up.
 
Mott the Hoople said:
Nothing does more to support freedom of religion (and freedom from religion) as well as to promote the diversity of religion and to promote the popularity of the free practice of religion then to exempt them from taxes. The one small price they have to pay for this so to have no direct involvement of advocacy in politics.
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So religious organizations "have no direct involvement of advocacy in politics"?

I know they're not supposed to, but are you saying they don't?

http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=161131,00.html
 
Where is written that churches cannot advocate in politics? Advocacy is not a violation of the constitution or any law I'm aware of.
 
Yurt said:
i should have said powers...you're right

however, it does not have unlimited power to tax...and by not taxing certain non profit entities, it is not promoting them, it simply is not taxing them. the government doesn't tax the poor, are you saying the government promotes poverty?
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:duel:
 
Ice Dancer said:
Ridiculous...unless you are going to tax all non-profits and make them deduct there actual charitable work...at which point numerous people would suffer. The money saved via tax exemptions help alleviate costs for these entities to exist.
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i disagree, tax exempt charities are already required to file regarding their income and where it is spent

i think all tax exempt should file for taxes especially how much goes to 'good works' and how much to 'overhead'
 
Yes. Unlike some, however, my reasoning is not based on a personal dislike of and/or vendetta against Christianity. Faith institutions do a great deal of good in America - far greater than anything offered by the government. But an ideal arrangement would be everyone and everything being taxed at the same, low rate.
 
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