Should the US begin taxing religious institutions?

[The Dark]

If you own property, it gets taxed. Period.

Here's a big problem with tax-exempting churches. It necessitates that the government deem what is and is not an "official" religion, which is establishing religion. If I wanted the property taxes on my house to be waived because I say it's a Sun-Worshipping Church, the government would tell me to go fuck myself, thus elevating Christianity and the other officially-recognized religions above Sun Worship.

The reason for that is because private residences cannot be used as institutions of religious worship. If you built a building particularly to be used as a Sun-Worshipping Church, then that should (under the law) be tax-exempt.

[pecker]

If you own property, it gets taxed. Period.

Here's a big problem with tax-exempting churches. It necessitates that the government deem what is and is not an "official" religion, which is establishing religion. If I wanted the property taxes on my house to be waived because I say it's a Sun-Worshipping Church, the government would tell me to go fuck myself, thus elevating Christianity and the other officially-recognized religions above Sun Worship.

The reason for that is because private residences cannot be used as institutions of religious worship. If you built a building particularly to be used as a Sun-Worshipping Church, then that should (under the law) be tax-exempt.

Yeah. If i held mass in my bathroom, it'd still be taxed. Private schools still pay taxes even though they may hold mass.

[pecker]

I think, feel free to correct.

[neoolong]

If you own property, it gets taxed. Period.

Here's a big problem with tax-exempting churches. It necessitates that the government deem what is and is not an "official" religion, which is establishing religion. If I wanted the property taxes on my house to be waived because I say it's a Sun-Worshipping Church, the government would tell me to go fuck myself, thus elevating Christianity and the other officially-recognized religions above Sun Worship.

The reason for that is because private residences cannot be used as institutions of religious worship. If you built a building particularly to be used as a Sun-Worshipping Church, then that should (under the law) be tax-exempt.

And if my religion required me to hold services in my domicile?

[pecker]

And it still comes down to special treatment.

Hate to say it, but life ain't fair.

[Frank Hipper]

I think, feel free to correct.

Taken out of context, that could be a really fundie quote. And on topic, seeing as how findies are so against seperation of church and state, I think taxing churches would expose the hypocritical nature of many of them. Can't you just hear Benny Hinn? Or Paul and Jan?

[XPViking]

Churches already politically influence their members, whether we like it or not. If priests wants to play Politics, they should pay the entrace fee, just like everyone else. - Durandel

Everyone plays politics. An ordinary citizen, who happens to go to a church, also pays taxes on their private income. Therefore, that person has the right to enter politics. I think what you mean here is that churches (and other religious institutions) shouldn't act like a lobby group, or fulfill the requirements if pursuing that goal.

As well, it's a little ridiculous to conclude that taxing religious property will cure the current economic ills.

XPViking

[Knife]

And it still comes down to special treatment.

Hate to say it, but life ain't fair.

All the more reason to correct the problem and tax the churches.

[The Dark]

And it still comes down to special treatment.

Hate to say it, but life ain't fair.

All the more reason to correct the problem and tax the churches.

When you say church, do you also mean mosque, synagogue, temple, Wiccan worship group, Shinto shrine, Buddhist meditation area, and all other religious organizations?

[Durandal]

Wicca is not an "official" religion, which is part of the problem I was outlining before. Wicca is just as ridiculous, far-fetched and irrational as Christianity, yet it doesn't qualify as a religion, for some reason.

Oh, right, because witchcraft is forbidden in the Bible.

[Knife]

Hate to say it, but life ain't fair.

All the more reason to correct the problem and tax the churches.

When you say church, do you also mean mosque, synagogue, temple, Wiccan worship group, Shinto shrine, Buddhist meditation area, and all other religious organizations?

Any organization or person who makes money should be taxed like the rest of us. If a "church" askes for and recieves money and uses that money to build other churchs, pay for personel, and buy other property should be taxed just like the rest of us who make money, pay for property, goods and services.

[The Dark]

All the more reason to correct the problem and tax the churches.

When you say church, do you also mean mosque, synagogue, temple, Wiccan worship group, Shinto shrine, Buddhist meditation area, and all other religious organizations?

Any organization or person who makes money should be taxed like the rest of us. If a "church" askes for and recieves money and uses that money to build other churchs, pay for personel, and buy other property should be taxed just like the rest of us who make money, pay for property, goods and services.

In that case I agree with you on principle, considering the lack of an in-depth study of this. I was just asking because taxing only churches (which are Christian by definition) would violate the no preference law. I would have to argue for religious private schools (that meet educational standards) getting funding, though, since secular private schools do. To tax religious organizations and then not allow for funding of private schools would be discrimnatory, just as not taxing religious institutions seems to be.