Time For Churches To Pay Taxes?

[Fionn mac Cumh]

The thread title says it all.

[Pliny]

No. There is that thing, you know... The constitution and the first amendment...

[Fionn mac Cumh]

Originally Posted by Pliny

No. There is that thing, you know... The constitution and the first amendment...

Do explain how that allows them to not pay taxes? Also, taxes were at one time unconstitutional until the good ole 16th amendment got passed.

[Pliny]

Amendment I

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.


Taxes are "laws" and Congress has NO power to make law concerning the establishment of religion. Also, taxes unduly burden the free exercise thereof.

You're welcome.

[Fionn mac Cumh]

Originally Posted by Pliny

Amendment I

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.


Taxes are "laws" and Congress has NO power to make law concerning the establishment of religion. Also, taxes unduly burden the free exercise thereof.

You're welcome.

How is making them pay taxes restricting their religion?

[Aquila]

Originally Posted by Pliny

Amendment I

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.


Taxes are "laws" and Congress has NO power to make law concerning the establishment of religion. Also, taxes unduly burden the free exercise thereof.

You're welcome.

Couldn't that be said to be violated when tax law is written to make religious bodies tax exempt? However, it was deemed legal if ALL religious NPCs were considered equally tax exempt under the law. By that logic... should the government chose to lift all tax exemption for religious bodies... it would be perfectly legal as long as all religious bodies are equally held liable for taxation.

[thephnxman]

Originally Posted by Aquila

Couldn't that be said to be violated when tax law is written to make religious bodies tax exempt? However, it was deemed legal if ALL religious NPCs were considered equally tax exempt under the law. By that logic... should the government chose to lift all tax exemption for religious bodies... it would be perfectly legal as long as all religious bodies are equally held liable for taxation.

Religious organizations are by nature (constitutionally) tax exempt. The problem is that churches fell in the Government's trap by volunteering to become 501(3)c: therefore making themselves federal stooges.

For example, a church can preach against "sin" or any candidate and not be held liable; however, ANY 501(c)3 is automatically muzzled, because they are liable to submit to the IRS and government interference.

"But Brother, what about the First Amendment?" You folks lost it when you volunteered to be stooges.

[obriencp]

interesting question. I don't believe churches should pay taxes, but i believe part of the reason our taxes are so high is because churches aren't doing enough to help the community. If the churches really took care of the widows and orphans, and taught people how to work and have personal responsibility, there would be less people on welfare type programs.

Many churches cannot do what they're supposed to because of this:

Originally Posted by Praxeas

The problem is many churches run as a for profit business...not a for charity operation.

In other words some churches get rich, spend rich..all to look rich and drive rich rather than feeding the hungry..ie doing real charity work

Someone else already pointed out that too much money coming into a church goes towards bills (and pay rolls).

If churches paid taxes, would we be able to keep gay marriage from becoming a reality?

[good samaritan]

Originally Posted by obriencp

interesting question. I don't believe churches should pay taxes, but i believe part of the reason our taxes are so high is because churches aren't doing enough to help the community. If the churches really took care of the widows and orphans, and taught people how to work and have personal responsibility, there would be less people on welfare type programs.

Many churches cannot do what they're supposed to because of this:



Someone else already pointed out that too much money coming into a church goes towards bills (and pay rolls).

If churches paid taxes, would we be able to keep gay marriage from becoming a reality?

I agree with this post. Before we had a government controlled welfare system people depended on one another. charitable giving was how the needs of the poor where met. If welfare was done on a more personal community level it would probably eliminate a lot of the users. Church's are sometime thought to be greedy when they don't give to every sad story but sometimes giving may not be the answer.

I have heard of people who sell there food stamp groceries at a discounted price in order to have cash to go buy pills. Then they turn around and seek help for food from local church's. Do you think that you should give to such behavior? I may be cruel, but if I suspect something like this I probably won't give (unless there are children in the picture and sad enough there usually is). Distributing to the needy was an issue in the book of acts and it will always be.

Allowing the government to start taxing the church eliminates funds that will go towards seeing souls saved. You may not agree, but finances are important to the spreading of the gospel. The government will probably just find another place to waste that extra revenue. I will submit to the laws of are nation as long as they don't compromise what is pleasing to God.

[ApostolicKitty]

Originally Posted by thephnxman

Religious organizations are by nature (constitutionally) tax exempt. The problem is that churches fell in the Government's trap by volunteering to become 501(3)c: therefore making themselves federal stooges.

For example, a church can preach against "sin" or any candidate and not be held liable; however, ANY 501(c)3 is automatically muzzled, because they are liable to submit to the IRS and government interference.

"But Brother, what about the First Amendment?" You folks lost it when you volunteered to be stooges.

Bngo!

By choosing to become a 501(c)3, you become a corporation that agrees to follow the rules laid out by the IRS for such organizations. You are not really gaining benefits, but giving away the freedom to operate as you see fit. It is possible to unincorporate and be free of the government system.