Is there any valuation on all the property owned by religious orgs

[rurallib]

My wife and I were talking about religions sticking their noses into political debates, especially the one on health care.
My understanding is that religious organizations are not taxed and in return they are supposed to keep their noses out of public business.
But they don't. Ergo I am curious how much property, stock & bonds etc do the various religious organizations (including those offshoots like Dobson's group) own.
Also what kind of money is funneled into these groups each year?
They are deep into politics with organizations like "the Family". Seems like they own tons of diverse businesses and rental property.
When I google I get bits and pieces.
I am guessing that they handle 2 to 3 trillion a year.

I think a much deserved tax here and there could really help bankrupt states and help pay for healthcare.

[lob1]

1. In the 80's, our local news in L.A. did a piece on what the Catholic church

owns in Southern California. At that time, as I remember, they owned most of Safeway stores, plus tons of apartment buildings, etc. The statistic that shocked me was, back then the Catholic church bought 1 out of every 4 properties for sale in SoCal. I don't know what they own today, but it's a lot more than most people realize, and they pay no taxes on it.

[LiberalFighter]

2. How much property is owned by religious organizations that is exempt from taxes

that shouldn't be.

[rurallib]

3. Part of why I am curious.

[MineralMan]

4. I believe that all tax exemptions for religious organizations

should be removed, forthwith. Most will remain non-profit organizations, but their various real estate holdings should never be exempt from property taxes. That is just obscene.

Just put them in the same boat as other non-profit corporations. It's that simple. No tax breaks for ministers, either. That would be true separation of church and state. As it is now, there are definite ties between church and state through these exemptions. We should never subsidize religious organizations in any way. Period.

[gratuitous]

5. Wait; what does that mean?

"Religious organizations . . . are supposed to keep their noses out of public business"?

I mean, if a congregation turns over part of its building to an organization that helps homeless families get back into housing, aren't they trespassing on landlord's rights? Or if a congregation turns over part of its property to a community garden, is it undercutting Archer Daniels Midland (Supermarket to the World) and Dole in providing food to persons? Because if that's the case, our church had better cut it out so that we instead of giving away thousands of dollars in facility and land use, we could pay peanuts in taxes and charge the living shit out of the organizations using our property.

Then one or two people could feel all better that churches are being properly taxed. Those homeless families and hungry people can go suck it. There are dollars at stake!

[rurallib]

6. thank you for the condescending tone.

I wouldn't think that I would have to explain I have no problem with the good works that churches do.
What i am concerned about is things like overt political electoral activity. I am also concerned about the charlatons who wrap themselves in the cloth and make out like bandits. You know things like Pat Robertson's gold mines.
Why should property that is clearly commercial be untaxed? And no I would hope that common sense would prevail and properties and monies that are truly used for good acts would not be taxed.
I have a hard enough time talking to RWers who take things to the extreme and twist them. This is one place I thought conversations should be civil.

[gratuitous]

7. Well, and thank YOU for the broad brush

Because you sure as the world didn't use very much limiting language in your original post, which hauled out the big ol' broad brush to ponder the aggregate value of all religiously-owned tax exempt property. Sorry for the confusion. Next time I'll try to read your mind instead of your words.