US: Religious Tax Exemption

[Warren Clark]

What do you think about it?

The average amount of money that could be paid if religious organizations paid taxes would be an average of 71 billion dollars a year.

I personally believe that an organization should be tax exempt if it is provided by the communities tax paying dollars and/or it does not deny anyone acceptance into its organization without prejudice.

Its just a thought. Not saying that it MUST be done or anything...

 

[Quintessence]

I personally believe that an organization should be tax exempt if it is provided by the communities tax paying dollars and/or it does not deny anyone acceptance into its organization without prejudice.

So... basically you want all religious organizations to be taxed? The entire point of most religious organizations is to accept only those who are adherents of that particular faith. Not every religious organization can (or should) be Unitarian Universalism and it is not fair to demand them to be.

 

[Warren Clark]

There are organizations that make provide services and are bias to who they serve.
For example, many sharing centers and homeless shelters are bias towards certain individuals.
As, in order to have a bed for the night, you must attend church the following morning. If you don't then you will not be allowed to stay there.
I think it would be more productive if these homeless shelters offered job training rather than requiring church attendance.

I've witnessed several churches consume donations and utilize them only to host politically motivated campaigns.

I am all for the church using donations to help their cause so long as it does not disturb the rest of the public.
However, funneling money into lobbies of Washington DC for political weight is disturbing yet very common.

There is no way to stop an organizations misconduct or ethical motivation. However we could at least neutralize the parasitic role it has on a political standpoint and make it more symbiotic.

 

[Jayhawker Soule]

I've witnessed several churches ...

From which you choose to infer what generalization? Anecdotal evidence has roughly the same value as pug pooh.

 

[Breathe]

My opinion:

To tax the places of worship would make them more money-grabbing and less able to help those who need it. So, no. Do not tax religious institutions. Or charities.

 

[1137]

Tax them. $71 billion towards taxes rather than huge crosses, nice cars, and elaborate expensive chapels? I don't see the issue. Also, it's not like religion is staying out of the government...

 

[F0uad]

Lol.. tax religions well there is a clear agenda here.

 

[Warren Clark]

From which you choose to infer what generalization? Anecdotal evidence has roughly the same value as pug pooh.

Its not just a small sample of what I have witnessed.

An Overview of Religious Financial Fraud

here is just the easiest example. all I had to do was type the word "fraud" next to "exemption, religion". The articles are over flowing. Its not just in my city.

don't be so quick to dismiss a single example, it might be one out of a hundred or maybe even a billion.

 

[Warren Clark]

My opinion:

To tax the places of worship would make them more money-grabbing and less able to help those who need it. So, no. Do not tax religious institutions. Or charities.

There will always be pros and cons,
It would seem to make some motives unclear, but it would make a community come together closer if they truly want a place to connect. If people really want a church, they will pay for it.
Then all the actual donations can go for whatever they please.
Most have already taken it upon themselves to put their dollars towards government concerns (such as abortion and gay marriage) which have no relation to their private organization.

 

[Jayhawker Soule]

Its not just a small sample of what I have witnessed.

An Overview of Religious Financial Fraud

Now google "selection bias".

 

[Orias]

What do you think about it?

The average amount of money that could be paid if religious organizations paid taxes would be an average of 71 billion dollars a year.

I personally believe that an organization should be tax exempt if it is provided by the communities tax paying dollars and/or it does not deny anyone acceptance into its organization without prejudice.

Its just a thought. Not saying that it MUST be done or anything...

Could you imagine how much better off the U.S.A would be if it taxed churches? Thats a very large chunk of our national debt right there, which if I am correct is one of the main topics that campaigns are built off of.

I think all religious systems should be taxed and held accountable for their own wealth.

 

[Warren Clark]

Now google "selection bias".

I can assure you, there is no bias via google.
unless you believe that google is a liberal run company.
Just as hollywood is.

These antics I have no time for...
either accept the evidence or don't, at least I could provide it.

 

[Orias]

Religions should be taxed because they don't do anything to cure the human animosity or diseases that cause human animosity. A lot of religions cause segregation and war.

Religion should be taxed because the government has taken over the primary function of religion. Religion existed in place of government before a well implemented system even existed.

I don't feel like doing much research so if somebody could please find the statistics or answers to these following questions it would be great...

How much money in the past year have the religious organizations of the U.S contributed to finding a cure for cancer?

How much money in the past year have the religious organizations of the U.S contributed in order to prevent a murder or a crime punishable by martial law?

How much money in the past year have the religious organizations of the U.S contributed to build organizations that are not tax exempt and do not ultimately conclude in profiteering for that religious organization?

How much money in the past year have the religious organizations of U.S contributed to help further substantiate the government?

How much money in the past year have the religious organizations of the U.S contributed to the homeless who do not advocate their religious teaching?

How much money in the past year have the religious organizations of the U.S put forth to further substantiate their own religious indoctrination?

How much money in the past year have the religious organizations of the U.S contributed to the political advertisement of certain politicians, lobbyists, and refugees?

 

[F0uad]

Hmm Satanists and Atheists go hand in hand i wonder why...

Just a question Orias if Christian organizations should be taxed then Satanist organizations should also right?

 

[Orias]

Just a question Orias if Christian organizations should be taxed then Satanist organizations should also right?

Yes.

And watch your tongue, I'm no atheist IMO.

 

[Warren Clark]

Hmm Satanists and Atheists go hand in hand i wonder why...

Wrong. Atheism and Satanism are two completely different things.
Although Satanists don't believe in God, they do believe that humans are or hold the ultimate power.
As an Atheist, I recognize that we as humans are limited in our comprehension of knowledge. (In other words, humans are relatively stupid compared to the vasts amounts of information there is in the universe.)

Just a question Orias if Christian organizations should be taxed then Satanist organizations should also right?

Correct. I believe in equality, justice and fair treatment. All organizations should be taxed. If AIDS and Cancer awareness organizations must be taxed, so must all religious organizations.

 

[Panda]

Can "it depends" by an answer? I think they should receive the exact same treatment as any other sort of non-profit organisation. Provided they show they are actually a non-profit organisation.

 

[Orias]

Provided they show they are actually a non-profit organisation.

Thats the thing, theres always a profit. Even if it so small that its just put back into the system. So it can be real tricky to tell sometimes.

 

[Warren Clark]

Can "it depends" by an answer? I think they should receive the exact same treatment as any other sort of non-profit organisation. Provided they show they are actually a non-profit organisation.

That would be with regulation wouldnt it?

 

[F0uad]

Huh i meant hand in hand with the opinion that regions should be taxed not in there ideas.