Do you think that certain churches should have their tax exempt status revoked?

Question

Do you think that certain churches should have their tax exempt status revoked?

Answer 1

No. I do not understand why it bugs some people that churches have tax exempt. They do not give any money to any of them. Looks like they rather gave it to the government, maybe you can ask higher taxes to yourself

Answer 2

Not certain, ALL. It's the 21'st century you know, we're supposed to be rational.

Answer 3

Only if they don't meet the criteria for being a religion.

Answer 4

I think all businesses should pay taxes. If it takes money and provides a service, it's a business.

Answer 5

No.  Sec. 501(c)(3) of the IRS Code already provides rules for non-profit organizations to follow.  

If you want to pull the tax exempt status from churches because you don't like what they stand for, you might want to look at the many non-Christian non-profit organizations out there.

Answer 6

Yes, I think churches should be taxed like the businesses they are.

Answer 7

Oh, but wouldn't that violate that precious (but non-existent in the Constitution) "separation of church and state"??

If we tax churches, we have to give them a voice in the government.

Or didn't you know that the Revolutionary War was all about taxation without representation??

Besides, if we revoke their tax exemption, then we would have revoke the exemptions for all other non-profit organizations.

As a Christian, I also get quite p.o'ed with "mega-churches" whose "elite" make as much money as Bill Gates, fagawdsakes...and I agree that, if they're gonna run it like a business, they ought to pay the same taxes as a business...but what it comes down to is freedom of religion. Those churches are not forcing anyone to give them tithes and offerings, or to buy their ridiculous merchandise.  Idiots do this of their own free will.

They seem to have forgotten how angry Jesus got with the last bunch who turned His House, which was meant to be a House of Prayer , into a Den of Thieves....

Answer 8

NOoooo

_O_o_

-    v   -

whats the constitution say! congress shall make no laws.... religion

Answer 9

Yes, for certain churches.  There are some churches that do not adhere to the rules of 501(c)(3) organizations, and they should have their tax-exempt status revoked.

Answer 10

Yes. I agree with Maurog's answer, too.

Answer 11

I hate to denounce Tax Exemption for Chruches but if they dont use the exemption probably ( yes,, the status should be revoked)

TAX EXEMPTION STATUS FOR CHURCHES

If you can prove they are not following the rules and if the

real estate of the ( church is not as it should be ) or any other misinformation you can then, you can petition to their Tax Exempt

Status.

US TAX EXEMPTION FOR CHURCHES

http://www.irs.gov/charities/churches/in...

Tax Exemption in CANADA .. ( link is down) will post

IN CANADA

Answer 12

Any of those that do not perform works of charity to the extent of 50% of their gross income should be subject to taxation . I do NOT refer to television and building new churches as well as other items as charity . I am talking medical care and food for the poor as well as real education not the lies they spread .

Any that spread hate or encourage violence should be subject to criminal actions resulting in sever prison sentences and closure of the Churches involved .

Any political actions or recommendations should be outlawed as well no religious based laws or candidates should be seen as acceptable . At any point a candidate brings up the subject of religion or an incumbent does he should be disqualified and or removed from office .

Answer 13

If they tell people how to vote, encourage violence (either physical or verbal), interfere in school policy or government ~ YES.

Any behavior or encouragement of behavior that is unhealthy for society should lead to having their tax exempt status revoked.

Answer 14

Yes.  Any church that allows politics to be preached should have their tax exempt status revoked.

  

Contributions to PACs (political action committees) are not tax deductible.  Political preaching should be treated likewise.

Answer 15

If they mix in politics, then the tax exemption should be revoked.

Answer 16

Yes. There are certain churches that should have their tax exempt status revoked. In fact, I can only think of very few churches who actually use tithes and offerings for what they are supposed to be used for, which is to benefit society.

Let's be reasonable. Church upkeep isn't free. So it's not reasonable to say that a church should use all of it's money to go to charitable social programs. However, it should be a good portion of it's money.

I don't think any church has the right to expand the size of their worship center, print advertisements, or in anyway benefit from offerings other than the basics if there is one hungry, homeless or unloved person within a ten mile radius.

If the church exists only to benefit the church, then it ought not leech off the public services from the people it's ignoring.

Answer 17

Some maybe, but then they must be given a voice in government.

Answer 18

Some should, not all. I wish they would start with the Westboro Baptist Church.

Answer 19

yes, starting with the one in california who hosted that ridiculous "faith forum" a few weeks ago.

Answer 20

They should ALL be required to pay taxes! The original intent of this exemption was that churches would provide most social services, which they have not done by a long shot. Giving churches tax exemptions *violates* the First Amendment by showing a preference to religion. Churches use public services such as fire and police protection and they should pay for them like everyone else; when they don't they are not being much of a moral example, are they?

This problem is much bigger then most people realize. If churches paid taxes like other businesses, especially property taxes, no individual would need to pay an income tax - that's how bad it is! Do some research and be amazed at what churches have stolen over the years. And they claim to "care for the poor"!

Answer 21

YES.

Churches need to pay their fair share.

To the people that say that they should "receive representation", they already DO. They can go out and vote, just like everyone else.

Answer 22

I think all should.