Churches and Tax Exemption

Should churches continue to be tax exempt? Should they lose their tax exemption if they in any way begin to lobby or endorse candidates?

Here's my thought: Churches shouldn't be taxed on income that is proven to go to charitable causes (dinners for homeless, clothing drives, helping needy parishioners, and communities). They should be required to pay the standard tax on the rest of their income, and their employees should be required to pay taxes on their earnings. Churches should be required to pay property taxes.

What do you think?

Im for it.

I agree with you fully.

Yes, except only property tax if it's a stupid large church. Keep them from getting outrageous.

Of course they should. Totally for this.

I agree except for property taxes but I think property taxes are bullsmurf anyway.

Quoting Squid Kid:" Yes, except only property tax if it's a stupid large church. Keep them from getting outrageous."

I thought about that, but where can the line be drawn? I figured a flat rate would do the best, even keep it in line with what the public would pay. So a 2500 sq foot church would pay less than a 25000 sq foot church, you know?

I agree - lol and yet all these people on here recently are crying about how Christians are bring persecuted. Really? yeah...ok.

<blockquote><b>Quoting LolaMcKitten:</b>" I agree - lol and yet all these people on here recently are crying about how Christians are bring persecuted. Really? yeah...ok. "</blockquote>




Ahaha thank you.

Quoting LolaMcKitten:" I agree - lol and yet all these people on here recently are crying about how Christians are bring persecuted. Really? yeah...ok. "

They're not being prosecuted, people are just waking up and their free ride is ending.

Religious Establishments are more than entitled, but just because they're finally being pressured into ending their bigotry they're freaking out. It's like the child who got everything they ever wanted finally being told their behavior is unacceptable. They panic.

Quoting Socialist:" They're not being prosecuted, people are just waking up and their free ride is ending. Religious Establishments ... [snip!] ... out. It's like the child who got everything they ever wanted finally being told their behavior is unacceptable. They panic. "

Oh, I agree! They aren't being persecuted at all - they just get pissy when their made to follow the same rules as everyone else.

<blockquote><b>Quoting Socialist:</b>" Should churches continue to be tax exempt? Should they lose their tax exemption if they in any way begin ... [snip!] ... should be required to pay taxes on their earnings. Churches should be required to pay property taxes. What do you think?"</blockquote>




No. I support real churches being exempt as long as they aren't "doing business" and are functioning as a community resource, charity, etc.