Time For Churches To Pay Taxes?

[good samaritan]

The government isn't worthy to receive of the offerings that are given as unto God. We are seeing this nation on a slippery slope. I pray for my loved ones to be ready to be with the Lord because I can see where we are heading. It doesn't look good.

[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

[aegsm76]

I am sure that if churches paid taxes, the government would use that money to reduce taxes for everyone else....
Right...
The main (not all) reason people want churches to pay taxes is because they are anti-religion.
I say not all because there are Jews that do not believe the nation of Israel should exist, either.

[BrotherEastman]

Originally Posted by Fionn mac Cumh

The thread title says it all.

including the illegal population.

[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?

[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.

It is illegal/unconstitutional to tax a church...UNLESS said church voluntarily submits to put itself under the
direct authority of the government through the 501(c)3 (NON-PROFIT) status.
Tax laws were not written to exempt churches; the Constitution has already exempted them!
The 501(c)3 is a trap that most churches have fallen into.

[jfrog]

Originally Posted by thephnxman

It is illegal/unconstitutional to tax a church...UNLESS said church voluntarily submits to put itself under the
direct authority of the government through the 501(c)3 (NON-PROFIT) status.
Tax laws were not written to exempt churches; the Constitution has already exempted them!
The 501(c)3 is a trap that most churches have fallen into.

Tell that to the irs?

[FlamingZword]

Originally Posted by thephnxman

It is illegal/unconstitutional to tax a church...UNLESS said church voluntarily submits to put itself under the
direct authority of the government through the 501(c)3 (NON-PROFIT) status.
Tax laws were not written to exempt churches; the Constitution has already exempted them!
The 501(c)3 is a trap that most churches have fallen into.

Some churches or organizations (like mine) simply refuse the 501(c)3 (NON-PROFIT) status, for it would mean that we can not speak our mind.

some of us simply refuse to allow Caesar to tells us what we can say.

[Fionn mac Cumh]

Originally Posted by FlamingZword

Some churches or organizations (like mine) simply refuse the 501(c)3 (NON-PROFIT) status, for it would mean that we can not speak our mind.

some of us simply refuse to allow Caesar to tells us what we can say.

Really? You cant speak your mind if you have 501C status? I would sue anyone that tried to enforce that unconstitutional law.