Should Churches pay Taxes?

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  • RolandTD20Kdrummer
    RolandTD20Kdrummer Posts: 13,066
    time to pony up at the collection plate...
    Progress is not made by everyone joining some new fad,
    and reveling in it's loyalty. It's made by forming coalitions
    over specific principles, goals, and policies.

    http://i36.tinypic.com/66j31x.jpg

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  • gue_barium
    gue_barium Posts: 5,515
    hippiemom wrote:
    Churches do not pay property taxes. I posted an article here a while ago about community groups filing suit against a group of churches who were posting political signs on their tax-exempt property. In most places, the property tax exemption is not even limited to the church itself. Church-run businesses are also often exempt themselves, from bookstores and lunch counters to day-care centers and high-end retirement facilities.

    Pastors get a 100% exemption on money they spend on their housing.

    Ministers of every faith are also exempt from income tax withholding and can opt out of Social Security.

    Every state but one exempts religious employers from paying state unemployment taxes — reducing the employers’ payroll expenses but also leaving their workers without unemployment benefits if they are laid off.

    In many places, their businesses are not subject to the same inspections as their non-religious competitors, they don't have to file the same financial statements, and they're exempt from many civil rights laws.

    I could go on and on, but this is long enough. To answer the OP's question, yes, I think they should pay taxes!

    Thanks for that. I honestly didn't know how far-reaching it was.
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  • prism
    prism Posts: 2,440
    RolandTD20Kdrummer wrote:
    time to pony up at the collection plate...

    no thanks...I have no interest in joining one of God's exclusive country clubs :)
    *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
    angels share laughter
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  • bgivens33
    bgivens33 Posts: 290
    would this still be up for discussion if churches historically backed liberal candidates??
  • gue_barium
    gue_barium Posts: 5,515
    bgivens33 wrote:
    would this still be up for discussion if churches historically backed liberal candidates??
    I don't think there is a historical precedence.
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  • know1
    know1 Posts: 6,801
    Why do you want the government to have more money?

    Or better yet, why do you want churches to pay taxes. Just for spite?
    The only people we should try to get even with...
    ...are those who've helped us.

    Right 'round the corner could be bigger than ourselves.
  • gue_barium
    gue_barium Posts: 5,515
    know1 wrote:
    Why do you want the government to have more money?

    Or better yet, why do you want churches to pay taxes. Just for spite?

    I think to some, it is seen that those churches that rake in the millions from the unsuspecting from those evangelical televangelicals... are basically a bunch of dirty crooks getting a free ride.
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  • MahoganySouls
    MahoganySouls Posts: 357
    gue_barium wrote:
    I think to some, it is seen that those churches that rake in the millions from the unsuspecting from those evangelical televangelicals... are basically a bunch of dirty crooks getting a free ride.
    Not everyone involved in religion is a nincompoop. Most who give to their church of choice are balanced, intelligent, fully competent people. If they cannot see the hypocrisy, then losing their money to "dirty crooks" is par for the course...no? So because they don't believe like you, they should pay?
    "When you're climbing to the top, you'd better know the way back down" MSB
  • MahoganySouls
    MahoganySouls Posts: 357
    bgivens33 wrote:
    would this still be up for discussion if churches historically backed liberal candidates??
    Very good point. Although, shouldn't the churches stay out of politics all together? I never understood that one.
    "When you're climbing to the top, you'd better know the way back down" MSB
  • gue_barium
    gue_barium Posts: 5,515
    MahoganySouls wrote:
    Not everyone involved in religion is a nincompoop. Most who give to their church of choice are balanced, intelligent, fully competent people. If they cannot see the hypocrisy, then losing their money to "dirty crooks" is par for the course...no? So because they don't believe like you, they should pay?
    Don't bring me into this.
    I've got nothing to do with it.
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  • MahoganySouls
    MahoganySouls Posts: 357
    prism wrote:
    as far as i see it; it's as simple as many Churches can and do discriminate on which people they will or will not allow to come into their church. and many Churches do bring in a profit.
    most other non-profits are open to anyone that needs their services in their community and have policies against discrimination and turning people away.
    There are plenty of non profits who cater to specific "clients" and who do not allow others to participate in what they offer. Plus, when you "join" a church, you are chosing to follow their ideology. If you cannot or do not want to, then find another church. It's really quite simple.
    "When you're climbing to the top, you'd better know the way back down" MSB
  • know1
    know1 Posts: 6,801
    prism wrote:
    as far as i see it; it's as simple as many Churches can and do discriminate on which people they will or will not allow to come into their church. and many Churches do bring in a profit.
    most other non-profits are open to anyone that needs their services in their community and have policies against discrimination and turning people away.

    What world do you live in? You think I can walk into any non-profit and get their services?
    The only people we should try to get even with...
    ...are those who've helped us.

    Right 'round the corner could be bigger than ourselves.
  • know1
    know1 Posts: 6,801
    gue_barium wrote:
    I think to some, it is seen that those churches that rake in the millions from the unsuspecting from those evangelical televangelicals... are basically a bunch of dirty crooks getting a free ride.

    What does that have to do with anything?

    Maybe the humane society is raking in millions from the unsuspecting....
    The only people we should try to get even with...
    ...are those who've helped us.

    Right 'round the corner could be bigger than ourselves.
  • know1
    know1 Posts: 6,801
    MahoganySouls wrote:
    Very good point. Although, shouldn't the churches stay out of politics all together? I never understood that one.

    Many of them do stay out of politics altogether.
    The only people we should try to get even with...
    ...are those who've helped us.

    Right 'round the corner could be bigger than ourselves.
  • soulsinging
    soulsinging Posts: 13,202
    bgivens33 wrote:
    would this still be up for discussion if churches historically backed liberal candidates??

    yes, becos the conservatives would be pissed and asking why churches don't get taxed.
  • gue_barium
    gue_barium Posts: 5,515
    know1 wrote:
    What does that have to do with anything?

    Maybe the humane society is raking in millions from the unsuspecting....

    I said, "I think to some..."

    I guess now that I have to think about it for those with analytical thinking challenges, I would look at it like this:

    How is it that a religion is given exempt status to begin with? If I decided to found a church and I was its pastor what hurdles might I find in getting that exemption status? Why would I or would I not be given status. Are some religions more valid of exemption than others? I suspect that if my church was into worshipping Satan, that would be so. Why are some religions more valid than others?
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  • soulsinging
    soulsinging Posts: 13,202
    know1 wrote:
    Why do you want the government to have more money?

    Or better yet, why do you want churches to pay taxes. Just for spite?

    i don't, but if everyone else is getting taxed, i don't see why churches get an exemption.

    i want them to pay tax partly for spite, partly becos they are a money-making institution, and mainly becos of their political activism which by default should disqualify them from tax breaks.
  • somebodythepsychic
    somebodythepsychic Posts: 40
    Most so called "believers" tend to be conservative and vote that way making the church itself political.

    Also we're paying their taxes. With all that cash changing hands who can say where the money is going. Note the recent televangelist scandal.
    Consciousness is Power
  • know1
    know1 Posts: 6,801
    soulsinging wrote:
    i don't, but if everyone else is getting taxed, i don't see why churches get an exemption.

    i want them to pay tax partly for spite, partly becos they are a money-making institution, and mainly becos of their political activism which by default should disqualify them from tax breaks.

    Not all churches participate in political activism.
    The only people we should try to get even with...
    ...are those who've helped us.

    Right 'round the corner could be bigger than ourselves.
  • soulsinging
    soulsinging Posts: 13,202
    know1 wrote:
    Not all churches participate in political activism.

    enough do. or get serious about rescinding tax breaks that preach politics.

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