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Reply With QuoteTedminator (07-07-2010)
Would you support the removal of tax exemption from churches, mosques, etc.?
Churches (and other religious buildings), if I'm not mistaken, are the only tax-free buildings/etc. in America. Would you support the removal of their tax exemption?
There are a lot of obvious political uses of doing this, from extra revenue to simplified laws to backing the Supreme Court ruling that there shall be no preference of "religion to irreligion." But I want to keep the religious discussion (such as "atheists don't have churches") out of this, because it will surely draw away from the topic at hand. There are other positives behind this than religious reasons, so discuss them. I'm curious as to what percentage of people would support this. I know of both conservatives and liberals who support it, but I've also heard that making any statement that's even remotely negative for Christianity in particular is political suicide. I don't doubt that many people would hypocritically want their church to be tax exempt while the churches of other religions should have to pay taxes; however, I'm wondering what percentage this is. If a political figure did propose this idea, I'm wondering how much support it would get - hence this poll.
Also, for those who are familiar with Ron Paul, has he ever mentioned this in any of his statements? It seems like a libertarian (and liberal) idea, imo.
~ Charles Stover
Tedminator (07-07-2010)
I'm not a libertarian or a liberal but I would have no problem with doing away with the church tax exempt status. Let them openly endorse candidates and issues that effect their lives political or not.
The inherent vice of capitalism is the unequal sharing of the blessings - The inherent blessing of socialism is the equal sharing of misery.
Sir Winston Churchill
They do.Originally Posted by GrumpyOM
Some don't, but I know what you're saying.
The inherent vice of capitalism is the unequal sharing of the blessings - The inherent blessing of socialism is the equal sharing of misery.
Sir Winston Churchill
I opposed it, but only within the condition that they remain apolitical. They don't have to accept the tax status and the restriction on politics. They are free to endorse whomever they like and take part in the political process under the same rules as everybody else. I'm surprised you are so willing to mix church and state. Isn't this what the Founding Fathers wanted to avoid?
All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing. -- Edmund Burke
I don't consider it mixing church and state at all. A person's religion should reflect how they live in large part, if you can't vote for and support those candidates that most represent your feelings what's the point? Face it, politicians have as much to do with how you are going to live your life as the church does. They hand out a hell of a lot more laws than the church does. Letting different churches/denominations/faiths freely support candidates of their choice is in no way establishing a national religion. I think the "separation of church and state" nonsense is just that, nonsense.
As far as church and state, the Constitution limits what the government can do, not what the people can do.
Last edited by GrumpyOM; 07-06-2010 at 03:10 PM.
The inherent vice of capitalism is the unequal sharing of the blessings - The inherent blessing of socialism is the equal sharing of misery.
Sir Winston Churchill
But who runs the government? People. The same flawed people as everyone else who would be willing to use their own religious beliefs to gain power.
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"When fascism comes to America, it will be draped in the flag and carrying the cross." - Sinclair Lewis
Sorry, this is not true. All non-profit organizations are exempt from property taxes, not just churches: Do nonprofit organizations pay taxes?
Section 501 of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) tax code exempts qualified nonprofit organizations from federal taxes. A nonprofit organization is an organization that engages in activities for both public and private interest without pursuing the goal of commercial or monetary profit. To be exempted from federal taxes, nonprofit organizationshave to meet certain rules. Some of these rules include:
If a nonprofit organization
- Being organized and operated exclusively for charitable, scientific, religious or public safety purposes.
- Collecting income and turning over entire amount less expenses to organizations or individuals who are lawfully recognized as legitimate charities.
Nonprofits are also exempt from paying sales and property taxes. While the income of a nonprofit organization may not be subject to federal taxes, nonprofit organizations do pay employee taxes (Social Security and Medicare) just like any for-profit company.
Perhaps a good starting place would be the churches that break the law. The Mormon church for instance broke the law big time in running and paying under the table for the Prop 8 campaign in California. Churches have become BIG business and can easily afford the services they currently enjoy for free.
The Big Kahuna (07-07-2010)
Use their religious beliefs to gain power? The people, even the church goers, still have a right to vote, nothing more.
Is there something wrong with someone being elected based on their religious beliefs?
Last edited by GrumpyOM; 07-06-2010 at 06:27 PM.
The inherent vice of capitalism is the unequal sharing of the blessings - The inherent blessing of socialism is the equal sharing of misery.
Sir Winston Churchill
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