Taking Away Church’s Tax Exempt Status Would Violate the Spirit of First Amendment
In response to this post from Instapundit, which links to this post, I offer you a link to this excellent writing (goes without saying, doesn’t it?) I typed nearly three years ago.
Of course, if a “church” is overtly engaging in politics, I very much support having their tax exempt status stripped. There are many nonprofits and so called religious organizations that are really nothing more than political organizations making a mockery of the law. But taking away all religious organization’s tax exempt status, because a few violated the rules, would be wrong in my view. As I stated in my post, it would result in a violation of the spirit of the First Amendment.
Please, if you are about to start talking out of your ass, please click over and read my post.
They should absolutely take away tax exempt status for churches because they are a business. Churches should be given tax breaks specifically based on the merit of humanitarian work, disaster relief, and faith-based programs that help the community. Period.
I worked for a Baptist church that had a swimming pool on its roof, a fleet of buses, a television show and a staff of well paid musicians that got tax free checks. Sorry, but this is bullshit.
If you watch the Palin / Muthee video, you’ll see a pastor not only extolling a political candidate, but talking of religion taking over all aspects of society. Palin is a christian dominionist.
Tax the FUCK out of the churches!
– Frank Zappa
Sorry Glen, I can’t agree with you on this one. By making churches tax exempt on most of their income and property and by making contributions to them tax deductible, churches, and all non-profit corporations, are been subsidized by the government. When you take government money, it always comes with strings attached. (The other golden rule: “He who has the gold makes the rules.”) Organizations that want to be politically active should choose another structure.
More broadly, I would support a flat tax with no deductions whatsoever. The tax code should not be used for social engineering. Government should treat all citizens equally.
While I’m here, I’ll short circuit the sure-to-come comments from William.
William: Michael, you sorry, confused, lonely gay person. Don’t you know you are supposed to hate Republican as much as they hate you?
Me: Whatever.
Micheal, in this post I address that. Yes if government money is being taken, then they should also lose their tax exempt status.
Non-profits are taking government money by accepting tax deductible donations - diverting money from the government - and by being tax exempt - holding onto money they would have to pay the government. It’s a direct subsidy, regardless of the type of non-profit involved.
Michael,
In the midst of complete failures in both foreign and domestic policy, I have to remember your last Republican controlled Congress that spent significant time debating and trying to push through and anti-gay marriage amendment during some of the worst months of the Iraq war. And this is the party you vote for?
Michael, I apologize for William. Seriously.
Thanks Glen. But no apology necessary. William’s comments about me provide an amusing interlude to intelligent discussion.
I can’t believe the naivete of Glen’s remarks.
Those “few” that he refers to are simply scam artists, or doesn’t he know what’s going on out there?
Televangelists are the worst, unashamed to take the widow’s mite so they can live a life of luxury.
Don’t they most often present themselves as living frugal lives in order to help the poor and needy?
In actuality, they live in mansions valued in the millions, jet around the country in private planes, own fleets of luxury cars, or are the tales of their private lives all bunkum?
Despite their utmost efforts, they cannot hide the facts, try as they might –
Bennie Hinn, Joel Osteen, Jerry Falwell, and many, many more, and it’s all tax free. Tax free means that the ordinary Joe has to pull up the slack.
These people are simply leeches, but it’s the ordinary Joe who allows himself to be taken in and is responsible for this ludicrous state of affairs.
As the saying goes: A fool and his money are soon parted.
Though I am a firm unbeliever, I urge others to think about the following statement:
“Christianity began as a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. When it went to Athens, it became a philosophy. When it went to Rome, it became an organization. When it spread throughout Europe, it became a culture. When it came to America, it became a business.”
That’s what religion is all about in the U.S. today! And, of all organizations, it’s backed by the IRS, no less!!!!!!!