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In reply to the discussion: Do YOU think it's time to end the tax exempt status of churches? [View all]exboyfil
(17,862 posts)60. To extend upon your point
Churches in general are basically like any other social group with a small amount of outreach and service outside the immediate congregation. If you look at the staffing levels of a typical large church, you will see most of the staff dedicated to the primary purpose of serving the needs of the congregation. It really makes no sense to extend tax exept status to such an arrangement (assuming you do not run afoul of the 1st amendment).
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Do YOU think it's time to end the tax exempt status of churches? [View all]
Playinghardball
Jun 2012
OP
I agree. If a politician (of either party) is allowed to campaign in a church, its tax-exempt
razorman
Jun 2012
#8
Definitely yes. And if they give their pulpit over to politicians making speeches, Even Bigger YES!
calimary
Jun 2012
#15
But how will we know whether a church is involved in politics or even funding
JDPriestly
Jun 2012
#56
YES! Tax breaks equal support and establishment. I posit that the 1st A bars tax exemption.
morningfog
Jun 2012
#7
I have always thought that religious exemptions discriminate against athiest.
pennylane100
Jun 2012
#34
Don't forget that black churches are powerful Democratic vote producers. n/t
cigsandcoffee
Jun 2012
#12
Maybe. But I got this from the Freedom From Religion Foundation -- not some religious group. n/t
pnwmom
Jun 2012
#167
It also means that you can't treat religious non-profits differently than other non-profits. n/t
pnwmom
Jun 2012
#170
If Congress rewrote the law and struck the word religious, they would be discriminating
pnwmom
Jun 2012
#175
As I said, striking the religious exemption in the tax code doesn't discriminate
Major Nikon
Jun 2012
#180
Yes. And, the believers should find a deity that isn't broke all the time.
Tierra_y_Libertad
Jun 2012
#16
Will that allow them to use the pulpit and the collection plates for campaigning? n/t
cynatnite
Jun 2012
#30
Not far from where I live, Ken Copeland has a lakefront mansion, private jets, and his own airport
Major Nikon
Jun 2012
#68
I have always thought that religious organizations should not be tax exempt. n/t
RebelOne
Jun 2012
#57
No, the power to tax is the power to destroy. If you tax a church, it is destroyed.
Zalatix
Jun 2012
#85
If you thought they were powerful now, tax them and they'll become massively
humblebum
Jun 2012
#105
You tax the churches and they will be able to say and do anything they so please
humblebum
Jun 2012
#117
Why should those who are not members of the cult have to subsidize those who are?
dinopipie
Jun 2012
#123
If you tax churches, you unequivocally give them the right to become politically involved.
ColesCountyDem
Jun 2012
#134
I think the point about 501c3's is a good one. I think your singling out of Catholics is a bad one.
HiPointDem
Jun 2012
#194
They have been completely out of control lately. If they want to preach politics they pay.
Initech
Jun 2012
#156
There are already rules in place about political activity that apply to all non-profit orgs.
NYC Liberal
Jun 2012
#160
the right already has far too many wedge issues to use against progressive forces. We don't need any
Douglas Carpenter
Jun 2012
#165
The vast majority of churches, synagogues, mosques and temples are not right-wing fundamentlist.
Douglas Carpenter
Jun 2012
#186
the better suggestion is to build brideges at every opportunity with progressive religious people
Douglas Carpenter
Jun 2012
#192