inspired by the religion thread

[Sparx]

should churches be taxed by the national government?

 

[Axel]

Yes, Churches- all churches/places of worship- should be taxed.

If they can afford to build extravagant buildings, they can afford to pay taxes. I understand the need for a large building to fit the congregation, but does it need to be a multi-million dollar building like some churches? Does it need stained glass windows? Do you need a separate dining hall/rec hall? No, you don't. You need an altar, a roof, a few windows (of the pane/sheet glass variety), pews, rugs (in the case of Islam), and I'm not sure what goes into a Jewish Temple.

 

[Huit]

Whatever happened to the good ol' days when people would worship in each others' houses?

 

[HSMndLKfan92]

Yes, Churches- all churches/places of worship- should be taxed.

If they can afford to build extravagant buildings, they can afford to pay taxes. I understand the need for a large building to fit the congregation, but does it need to be a multi-million dollar building like some churches? Does it need stained glass windows? Do you need a separate dining hall/rec hall? No, you don't. You need an altar, a roof, a few windows (of the pane/sheet glass variety), pews, rugs (in the case of Islam), and I'm not sure what goes into a Jewish Temple.

I agree with you

 

[questionmark]

I'm confused... why wouldn't churches be taxed?

 

[ohdisco]

No.

Separation of church and state.
Churches are non-profit organizations. Non-profit organizations don't pay taxes. If churches are taxed, every non-profit would have to be taxed.

 

[chisnpeke]

No. It's a violation of separation of church and state. If the government takes churches money for public spending why can't nativity scenes or any other religious item be on government property?

Can't have it both ways.

 

[chisnpeke]

No.

Separation of church and state.
Churches are non-profit organizations. Non-profit organizations don't pay taxes. If churches are taxed, every non-profit would have to be taxed.

Yep. You could argue that some non-profit organizations don't need computers and that they are just there for convenience. It would bring up too many debatable factors.

 

[imabrat]

Personally, I think churches and government have no business together save for taxes. Yes, I do think churches should be taxed. I don't know much about the seperation of church and state, so this is my opinion.

 

[ohdisco]

Yep. You could argue that some non-profit organizations don't need computers and that they are just there for convenience. It would bring up too many debatable factors.

Exactly, just as some non-profits don't need million dollar galas.

 

[Axel]

My reasoning:

According to the "IRS Tax Guide for Churches and Religious Organizations", a R.O. must meet the following to be considered tax-exempt:

■the organization must be organized and operated exclusively for religious, educational, scientific, or other charitable purposes,
■net earnings may not inure to the benefit of any private individual or shareholder,
■no substantial part of its activity may be attempting to influence legislation,
■the organization may not intervene in political campaigns, and
■the organization’s purposes and activities may not be illegal or violate fundamental public policy.

I'd still really like to see all religious organizations taxed. At least a property tax.

And as for the computers argument. You do need those. There are a great many things that are much more efficient and correctly done on a computer.

But a church doesn't need $80,000 windows. Or a $1.2million rec hall. Those are both actual examples from my grandmother's church.

Not only is the money going into those churches not being taxed, but the people donating it get to call it a tax-deductable donation!

And towards the fact of taxing non-profits, I don't believe they should be taxed. To me, there's a huge difference between a R.O. and a non-profit.

 

[chisnpeke]

My reasoning:

According to the "IRS Tax Guide for Churches and Religious Organizations", a R.O. must meet the following to be considered tax-exempt:



I'd still really like to see all religious organizations taxed. At least a property tax.

And as for the computers argument. You do need those. There are a great many things that are much more efficient and correctly done on a computer.

But a church doesn't need $80,000 windows. Or a $1.2million rec hall. Those are both actual examples from my grandmother's church.

Not only is the money going into those churches not being taxed, but the people donating it get to call it a tax-deductable donation!

And towards the fact of taxing non-profits, I don't believe they should be taxed. To me, there's a huge difference between a R.O. and a non-profit.

That's just it. It's more efficient and faster and more accurate, but not NEEDED. That could all be done by people. Slower, maybe, but still done by a person.

 

[Axel]

That's just it. It's more efficient and faster and more accurate, but not NEEDED. That could all be done by people. Slower, maybe, but still done by a person.

Ok. Let me rephrase it. They serve an actual purpose in relation to the work being done.

Do $80,000 stained glass windows serve a purpose in a church other than to look pretty?

 

[HouseMD1120]

No they shouldnt. Like others have said, separation of church and state.

My churches are both small and are both modest. Worshipping Jesus is the only point.

And I agree with you that $80,000 windows serve no point. But if that's what hte church wants to do with their income, then so be it.

 

[chisnpeke]

Ok. Let me rephrase it. They serve an actual purpose in relation to the work being done.

Do $80,000 stained glass windows serve a purpose in a church other than to look pretty?

No, they don't.

 

[Addicted.to.Speed]

The Church gets all of its funding from the congregation, so i think they should be able to put whatever they want in their building. If they get funding from the government then yes they should be taxed.

What's so wrong with wanting your place of worship to look nice?

 

[BabyPiglet]

Yes, I do.