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Render Unto Caesar?
A friend and I were discussing the issues relating to America's social safety net and he made the point that the church used to be the institution that assisted the poor, the sick, and the unemployed. Of course, in modern times the population and the urbanization of America has produced so much need in various areas, most churches could never be able to handle the load.
However, if churches are so eager to help with the poor, the sick, the unemployed, the widows, and the orphans, would they be willing to surrender their tax exemption and pay into the system to fund these social programs?
According to IRS statistics, in 2013 churches and religious institutions received religious tax exemptions and subsidies to the tune of $83.5 billion dollars. Imagine the revenue that could be generated for social programs if churches paid taxes like the rest of us.
Should churches, who used to serve as our social safety net, pay taxes?
What are your thoughts?
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