Religion

citysyde

(74 posts)

16. Unfortunately, I think the courts and case law are already on record

Fri Jun 15, 2012, 04:52 PM

Jun 2012

the courts and case law are already on record as allowing religious organizations to hire and fire whomever they wish.

Of course, quality of care is affected by individual deliverers of the care. But I think religious organizations have powers and rights there that are well-established in law, since they are "private" organizations.

I don't agree with much of that, but I cannot go against established litigation precedents. Nor do I see a way of tying that hiring/firing activity to tax status. It's just too small a line to be drawn.

Edit history

Please sign in to view edit histories.

41 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

Is it time for religious groups to lose their tax exemption? [View all] rug Jun 2012 OP

Long past time. Shadowflash Jun 2012 #1

Definitely the Catholic Church HockeyMom Jun 2012 #2

You're making a case for discrimination? It should be ANY church, or it won't stand legally. nt patrice Jun 2012 #6

Without enough of the right kinds of information about the poster above and the situation, 2ndAmForComputers Jun 2012 #17

You failed to notice that I asked a question. Instead of make an outright accusation, as in the case patrice Jun 2012 #18

Shall we take it then, that you are in favor of attacking the Catholic Church exclusively? nt patrice Jun 2012 #19

And, btw, how about responding to the legal point which I raise here? nt patrice Jun 2012 #20

Or does the OP subject matter less than some other, more personal, agenda? a Lack of reply = yes. nt patrice Jun 2012 #21

Have a nice day. 2ndAmForComputers Jun 2012 #22

You too. & Who's that in this .gif? patrice Jun 2012 #26

That's a no brainer. It's way past time for them to loose their ladjf Jun 2012 #3

I am not opposed to providing tax-exemption for the charitable work they do.... Swede Atlanta Jun 2012 #4

How about a compromise? turtlerescue1 Jun 2012 #11

But what if we don't accept that health care should be for profit? cbayer Jun 2012 #32

In order to answer this question, don't we need to begin with WHY we give them this $71 billion patrice Jun 2012 #5

For $71 BILLION a year (and that doesn't even count historical $$$) there should be NO poor. nt patrice Jun 2012 #7

Yes, if they're found to be political. richmwill Jun 2012 #8

I am wondering what would be a good method to go about doing that. patrice Jun 2012 #9

Your thoughts are a good question for discussion citysyde Jun 2012 #13

Yes, observable behavior is a good subject. Do you include hiring and firing practices? patrice Jun 2012 #15

Unfortunately, I think the courts and case law are already on record citysyde Jun 2012 #16

Tax the profits. rrneck Jun 2012 #10

That's another area where I think we need some new standard of .. citysyde Jun 2012 #23

Not that complicated, really. Just institute progressive taxation. daaron Jun 2012 #27

So where and how do you set the standards for pastors in Iowa versus citysyde Jun 2012 #28

Like I said, an equitable progressive taxation scheme. daaron Jun 2012 #29

I think there's a difference rrneck Jun 2012 #31

My Recommendations longship Jun 2012 #12

Interesting thoughts worth my deliberation! citysyde Jun 2012 #24

As of the early '90s.... Igel Jun 2012 #34

Thank you for those clarifications longship Jun 2012 #35

Really nice, clear and useful information. Thanks so much. cbayer Jun 2012 #36

Perhaps counterintuitively my answer is a qualified no. dmallind Jun 2012 #14

Respectfully, I'm not sure I agree, because, as we have seen,... citysyde Jun 2012 #25

It's a fine line, but my bias is yes they should dmallind Jun 2012 #37

yes Angry Dragon Jun 2012 #30

I would be very curious about how this number compares to the amount cbayer Jun 2012 #33

So your point is that they would stop doing this if they were taxed? dmallind Jun 2012 #38

Massive profits are one thing, but most mainline churches operate on a shoestring. cbayer Jun 2012 #39

Only if you're okay with them campaigning from the pulpit and getting donations from offerings. n/t cynatnite Jun 2012 #40

This sounds like a classic case of "be careful what you wish for"... ButterflyBlood Jun 2012 #41