Should organized religion be taxed?

[Ordeet]

Ok, another controversial topic from yours truly.

In the United States religions are considered to be "non-Profit" entities and aren't taxed according to US tax law.

In my opinion, it makes SENSE to tax organized religion because Religion is essentially a business. Ministers, priests, imams, shekhs, etc. are basically glorified motivational speakers selling an experience at best; at worst a delusion. And we can't deny that a lot of religions, like the Catholic church, which can concievably be considered like a foreign corporation, are extremely wealthy.

For example: In New York City alone, the amount was $750 million in 1969, $1 billion in 1982, and $3 billion in 1989. In Wisconsin, hotels, pay parking lots, farms, and communion wafer bakeries are among the church holdings that are tax exempt. Overall, about $4.2 billion in tax-exempt religious property now exists in that state. In 1993, there were 3,000 parcels in Clearwater, Florida worth about $1.2 billion are off the tax rolls because they are owned by religious organizations (source: http://www.gainesvillehumanists.org/chrchtax.htm)

Moreover, separation of Church and State, as it's enumerated in the first amendment, should be a two way street. If a Religious institution which enjoys the separations of church and state protection of the first ammendment enters the political dialog, yes they should be taxed. Additionally, all contributions to the institution are then taxable for the same reason.

PS - If a moderator is reading this, can you add a poll with the options "Yes" "No" "Not Sure"? Thanks

[LuisDantas]

I don't see why religion should be taxed any differently than any other volunteer activity, myself.

[Revoltingest]

I say treat'm like any non-profit, but they all should pay property taxes like the rest of us.

[LuisDantas]

Not all religions are non-profit, however.

[Tarheeler]

Originally Posted by Revoltingest

I say treat'm like any non-profit, but they all should pay property taxes like the rest of us.

I'm all for consumption taxes.... and I think everyone should pay 'em, regardless of what they're doing.

[dogsgod]

A church should have to declare its income and its charitable contributions just as charitable organizations are required to do. Charity is charity and fair is fair. Pedophile clubs and its members such as the Roman Catholic Church should be subjected to taxation as well.

[9-10ths_Penguin]

Originally Posted by Ordeet

Ok, another controversial topic from yours truly.

In the United States religions are considered to be "non-Profit" entities and aren't taxed according to US tax law.

In my opinion, it makes SENSE to tax organized religion because Religion is essentially a business. Ministers, priests, imams, shekhs, etc. are basically glorified motivational speakers selling an experience at best; at worst a delusion. And we can't deny that a lot of religions, like the Catholic church, which can concievably be considered like a foreign corporation, are extremely wealthy.

For example: In New York City alone, the amount was $750 million in 1969, $1 billion in 1982, and $3 billion in 1989. In Wisconsin, hotels, pay parking lots, farms, and communion wafer bakeries are among the church holdings that are tax exempt. Overall, about $4.2 billion in tax-exempt religious property now exists in that state. In 1993, there were 3,000 parcels in Clearwater, Florida worth about $1.2 billion are off the tax rolls because they are owned by religious organizations (source: http://www.gainesvillehumanists.org/chrchtax.htm)

Moreover, separation of Church and State, as it's enumerated in the first amendment, should be a two way street. If a Religious institution which enjoys the separations of church and state protection of the first ammendment enters the political dialog, yes they should be taxed. Additionally, all contributions to the institution are then taxable for the same reason.

My feeling on the matter is that taxation violates the separation of church and state, so does receiving government benefit. Still, I bet those churches that don't want to be taxed wouldn't complain about a government-funded fire truck getting past the wall of separation between church and state when the smoke alarm goes off in their parish hall.

Now, I'm a Canadian, not an American, and we handle charities/non-profits a bit differently up here. We've got charities and non-profits, but they're distinct classes of organization. Neither one pays taxes (income taxes, anyhow), but donations to charities are tax deductible. Charities also have to dedicate their activities to a "charitable purpose" (e.g. "promotion of religion", according to our current tax rules).

A non-profit still needs to follow certain rules, but they're much less stringent than those for a charity. The organization needs to be actually non-profit, and can't derive direct financial benefit for its members. The example I like to use is my car club: while we do charity fundraisers occasionally, we're not a charity ourselves. Nobody's making money off what we do; I don't get a tax break for my membership fee, but the club doesn't have to pay tax on the money it takes in.

I've got no issue with someone's "God club" receiving the same treatment as my car club if it abides by all the same rules. I've got major issues with the idea that "promotion of religion" should be considered a charitable purpose, though.

Originally Posted by Ordeet

PS - If a moderator is reading this, can you add a poll with the options "Yes" "No" "Not Sure"? Thanks

Sorry - I had a look to see if I could do it, but it seems that I can't do it. If you want a poll, you'd have to add it yourself when you first create the thread.

[Smoke]

I think all religious groups and non-profits should be taxed beyond a certain cut-off point. That is to say, I don't have a problem with little country churches and storefront revival centers being tax-exempt, but I think it's abusing the system when churches and non-profits are occupying prime real estate and paying hefty salaries to their officers while enjoying tax-exempt status.

[9-10ths_Penguin]

Originally Posted by LuisDantas

I don't see why religion should be taxed any differently than any other volunteer activity, myself.

But there are volunteer activities and then there are volunteer activities.

In two weeks, I'll be spending my weekend waving flags at racecars at the IRL race in Toronto. While this is entirely volunteer, it's not exactly charity work and I sure don't expect a tax break for it.

I'd put a lot of church volunteer work in the same category. If you're helping to cook meals in your church basement for the Out of the Cold program, then fine - I agree that this is charitable. But singing in the choir or serving on the church's social committee? Not so much, IMO.

[The Voice of Reason]

Tax 'em - and the charlatans that reap the big money (i.e. Hagee, Robertson).

Tax the hell out of 'em.