Tax Exempt Churches

[memphis]

Is it constitutional that places of worship get special tax-exempt status. Is this not a violation of church and state because the government is giving religion a priviliged status?

[A18]

Is it unconstitutional for Congress to exempt certain religions from the draft?

This is not unconstitutional under any reasonable interpretation of the document.

[I spent the winter writing songs about getting better]

Churches are non-profit organizations so no.

This is also something that every secularist should really be thankful for. It's exactly what seperation of church and state is all about. If churches had to pay taxes, then they actually would have some legitimacy in getting involved in politics. Not to mention the tax-exempt status now is what keeps churches from getting directly involved in politics, as they would lose it if they did. If you think the Robertson and Falwell brigades are bad enough now, then just wait to see how bad it'd get if churches were taxed.

[A18]

It is unconstitutional, however, to use a tax benefit to coerce an organization into not getting involved in politics.

[memphis]

It is unconstitutional, however, to use a tax benefit to coerce an organization into not getting involved in politics.

Well, churches have no problem getting involved in politics, even though they're not supposed to, so this issue shouldn't give you too many sleepless nights.

[A18]

I'm not losing any sleep, but the thought of Congress carrying this principle over to other aspects of life is troubling.

[Emsworth]

As long as Congress does not discriminate among different religions, no constitutional problem arises. Congress cannot (for example) grant exemptions to a church but not to a synagogue.

It is unconstitutional, however, to use a tax benefit to coerce an organization into not getting involved in politics.

Agreed. Congress may not tax a group of people more simply because they have exercised their freedom of speech.

[The Dowager Mod]

All churches should pay taxes like any other bussiness.

[Emsworth]

All churches should pay taxes like any other bussiness.

But aren't churches not-for-profit organizations?

[The Dowager Mod]

All churches should pay taxes like any other bussiness.

But aren't churches not-for-profit organizations?

How much profit does Pat Robertson make? or any other of his type?

[J. J.]

All churches should pay taxes like any other bussiness.

Then should not for profit "businesses" pay taxes?  I think you have look if the church is really non profit, but if so, and that's what they are intended to be, yes.

[2952-0-0]

I think all non-profit organizations should be tax-exempt. That includes the religions.

How much profit does Pat Robertson make? or any other of his type?

Let's say that if an organization makes more than X dollars in a year in profit it loses tax-exempt status.

[GOP = Terrorists]

Is it constitutional that places of worship get special tax-exempt status. Is this not a violation of church and state because the government is giving religion a priviliged status?

No as long as ALL religions pay no taxes including one I made up yesterday.  Once you deny that crazy religion you establish all the others as favored and it becomes unconstitutional.

[opebo]

All churches should pay taxes like any other bussiness.

But aren't churches not-for-profit organizations?

I think the whole concept of 'not-for-profit' organizations is an extremely dubious one.  We should set it aside.