I would as well, however I like his reasoning that tax exemption is a benefit churches recieve. So if they are actively working to deny citizens their rights, that benefit should be removed.
If we give government the ability to tax us based upon
advocacy for or against rights, here are some problems.....
- It would have the ability to control political speech.
- People would be more inclined to cheat on taxes
because of perceived unfairness & inequality.
- Changing political winds in DC would cause
taxes to fluctuate regularly.
- Preference would be given to some religions over others.
- If we open the door to taxation based upon this area of
politics & religion, we open it to other areas, eg, punishment
in the afterlife, treatment of infidels in one's scripture.
Do I personally think churches should be taxed? That's a hard question. Churches provide services that help folks. But there are churches where the leaders profit and have political influence. In these cases, I don't think taxation would be inappropriate.
Individuals & businesses provide services which help folks too,
yet they pay tax. And there are many churches who
do not
provide services except to themselves....they're like a members
only golf course.
But I have a solution...
If churches don't want to pay property taxes, then refuse fire,
police, & other services paid for by others. And don't compete
with businesses who do must pay taxes, eg, child day care.