Should Churches be tax exempt?

[blues_pagan]

Should Churches Get Tax Breaks?

INTRODUCTION

Brian Blanco for The New York TimesDoes the Trinity Broadcasting Network’s Holy Land Experience, a theme park in Orlando, really deserve a tax break?

The Trinity Broadcasting Network has always been proud of its extravagant profits, but rarely mentions the extravagant tax breaks that fueled them. According to a recent lawsuit, the company provides mansions for executives and calls them “parsonages” to avoid property taxes, and it ordains TBN chauffeurs and sound engineers and performers at the Holy Land Experience theme park, meaning their pay is tax-free.

Religious exemptions from taxes and regulations are often thought of as separating church and state, but are they having the opposite effect — serving as a state subsidy for religious organizations? Should religious entities be subject to taxes and rules like labor and civil rights laws?

Read the debates here and what is your opinion?

http://www.nytimes.com/roomfordebate/2012/05/09/should-churches-get-tax-breaks/tax-breaks-good-for-religion-good-for-america

[Red_Mama0723]

if they want to have an opinion/influence in politics then they need to be taxed

[blues_pagan]

I couldn't agree more!

Quoting Red_Mama0723:

if they want to have an opinion/influence in politics then they need to be taxed

[29again]

I have no problem with an actual church being tax-exempt.  However, the facility described above is not a church, imo, it is a business plain and simple, and should be paying taxes, and following all applicable laws.  A "church" that would take such advantage of its tax-exempt status is corrupt.

[Pema_Jampa]

[blues_pagan]

Well Pema beat me to it.  

Today many Evangelical churches and things of that nature bring in millions of dollars which are not taxed.  These are huge businesses that only have this shelter since they fall under religion.

I think it is time to tax them.

Quoting 29again:

I have no problem with an actual church being tax-exempt.  However, the facility described above is not a church, imo, it is a business plain and simple, and should be paying taxes, and following all applicable laws.  A "church" that would take such advantage of its tax-exempt status is corrupt.

[Luv.My.Kidz]

Nope.... They beg for money

[Sisteract]

you beat me to it-

Quoting Red_Mama0723:

if they want to have an opinion/influence in politics then they need to be taxed

[Mommy_of_Riley]

It's always been one of those "I understand but I don't understand" issues with me.

I understand why originally it was implemented but nowadays it doesn't make sense...

[Mommy_of_Riley]

I agree

Quoting Red_Mama0723:

if they want to have an opinion/influence in politics then they need to be taxed

[Godgaveme4]

Yes they should.