By not having a proof of God's existence should churches NOT have tax exempt status

[Jayhawker Soule]

I think no one should pay taxes. The money goes to people who don't use it in a right way, and it is also slavery, if person must pay taxes.

I think you've inadvertently hit upon the perfect system, one in which

1. you don't pay taxes, and
2. you are denied access to all of the goods and services these taxes fund.

 

[Quintessence]

What is my warp? Religion exists to answer 4 great existential questions:

1. Who am I?
2. Why am I here?
3. What does it all mean?
4. What is going to happen to me when I die?

Since most people are uncomfortable with not having rock solid answers to these 4 existential questions, they make up stories in order to make themselves feel better. We call these stories religion. How am I doing so far? It doesn't seem warped or that far off to me.

I'm sure it doesn't. I'm not particularly interested in convincing you otherwise. If you want to oversimplify the monstrously complex human cultural phenomena that may or may not be put under the word "religion" to "make up stories" and "feel better" such is how things must be. Whether or not you realize you're characterizing everything the human species does as "make up stories" and "feel better" is a question.

 

[Madsaac]

I think no one should pay taxes. The money goes to people who don't use it in a right way, and it is also slavery, if person must pay taxes.

I think people should pay taxes so we can help those in need, the less fortunate, to help bring gods creation (The Earth) back to it's full beauty, fairer education and health.

Geez, I'm starting to sound like Jesus.

 

[Twilight Hue]

I think churches should pay taxes. They have become too political and are more like community social clubs. I think churches should lose their tax exempt status because as far as I can tell all religions are just lies. There's no proof for what the churches are selling is actually real. So my argument is if people making a living off religion are not capable of proving the existence of God, then religious organizations should not be tax exempt.

Churches ought to be taxed on any and all non church services that are provided beyond the immediate church and related grounds.

Things like hospitals, bakeries, rated radio and television stations that rely on commercial revenue, malls, hotels, travel planning, insurance, investments etc. All are clearly non related business ventures. None of which deals directly with a groups beliefs and worship.

 

[Altfish]

I think churches should pay taxes.

End of, they should pay tax.

 

[1213]

I think you've inadvertently hit upon the perfect system, one in which

1. you don't pay taxes, and
2. you are denied access to all of the goods and services these taxes fund.

It is almost funny how in Finland we pay insane amount of taxes, but we don't get for example free healthcare for all. Those who work and pay taxes, have separate work healthcare system, because government "doesn't have enough money to offer healthcare to all". For some reason we have adopted all the worst from "socialism" and "capitalism".

 

[1213]

I think people should pay taxes so we can help those in need

If people want to help those in need, they can do it directly, without the middlemen who takes 99 % of the help.

, the less fortunate, to help bring gods creation (The Earth) back to it's full beauty,

God's creation didn't include governments oppressing people in the name of common good.

Geez, I'm starting to sound like Jesus.

Jesus was not for making people slaves for a government.

 

[Madsaac]

If people want to help those in need, they can do it directly, without the middlemen who takes 99 % of the help.

God's creation didn't include governments oppressing people in the name of common good.

Jesus was not for making people slaves for a government.

No he was not but he was for sharing and caring, and indirectly that's what taxes are for...sharing and to help the less fortunate.

I strongly believe this is what Jesus was all about and I think it is a sin to not show your love of your fellow person through taxes.

 

[Kenny]

Like one poster said, I’m not sure if the opening statement really needs to be answered. Sounds more like an anti-religion statement.

What is my warp? Religion exists to answer 4 great existential questions:

1. Who am I?
2. Why am I here?
3. What does it all mean?
4. What is going to happen to me when I die?

Since most people are uncomfortable with not having rock solid answers to these 4 existential questions, they make up stories in order to make themselves feel better. We call these stories religion. How am I doing so far? It doesn't seem warped or that far off to me.

AMPC
And I tell you, you are Peter [Greek, Petros—a large piece of rock], and on this rock [Greek, petra—a huge rock like Gibraltar] I will build My church, and the gates of Hades (the powers of the infernal region) shall not overpower it [or be strong to its detriment or hold out against it].

Sound like a pretty solid rock to me.

1. Who am I?

A spirit being with a creative soul that is living in a body. Usually you have a name.

2. Why am I here?

To love and be loved. To have a relationship with God and to do good to your neighbor. To be proactive in building a beautiful garden of life.

3. What does it all mean?

It means you have a design, a purpose and a destiny

4. What is going to happen to me when I die?

You will be meeting the Creator where you will be discussing your future.

 

[1213]

No he was not but he was for sharing and caring, and indirectly that's what taxes are for...sharing and to help the less fortunate.

That is how they are marketed. If sharing and caring would be the goal, government would not be needed.

 

[McBell]

I think churches should pay taxes. They have become too political and are more like community social clubs. I think churches should lose their tax exempt status because as far as I can tell all religions are just lies. There's no proof for what the churches are selling is actually real. So my argument is if people making a living off religion are not capable of proving the existence of God, then religious organizations should not be tax exempt.

Where is it stated that proof of a deity is required for church to be tax exempt?