As I drove the other day I was thinking about how some people have said in the past that they think Churches should have to pay taxes. One word popped into my head, Taxation without representation! how can we make churches pay taxes if the government wont allow them to be involved in the decision making of the country? Is that the reason churches dont pay taxes?

I think that's exactly it, Trav. It wouldn't be fair. Churches are 501c3's anyway (read; not for profit - although I see NEW Catholic Churches sprouting up everywhere replete with palatial fountains and gardens, and I start to wonder, but I digress).

Churches aren't exactly supposed to "make" money. The money that they do get is either spread around the community to bolster its influence, or is contributed in tithes...the church's 1/10 tax to support vocations, priesthood or the like thereof. Yet, some churches make more money than major corporations. Heck, my church continuously makes about $3k-5k a week!

It's a weird system, I know.

if they did start taxing them though, would that be the end of the "seperation of church and state" based on taxation without representation?

Originally posted by Travh20
if they did start taxing them though, would that be the end of the "seperation of church and state" based on taxation without representation?
I would think so. Besides, I like to think of it as though the church pays its taxes/tithes to support future teachings and preparation for new priests, missionaries, and the like of. We just say that churches don't pay taxes because the money doesn't go directly to the government.

Is that the reason churches dont pay taxes?


Yes and it is also the reason that churches are supposed to stay out of politics or lose that tax-exempt status.

so why exactly is move on .org tax exempt? same reason?

so why exactly is move on .org tax exempt?

Are they? I don't think they are a church.

Interesting question.

Did you look into it?

I know there are many tax exempt org.'s out thre, they are not all churches

Not for profit corporations are exempt from paying taxes. They are also not supposed to make a profit, or they can lose that status. As for taxation without representation in regard to churches, no corporation has a vote. It is also illegal for corporations to make direct political campaign contributions. They are allowed to contribute to political action committees, and I believe also to political parties for "party building activities".
Corporations are not people, and only people get to vote. I see no reason why churches should be treated differently than oil companies or any other business in this regard. Their members or employees are eligible to vote, the corporation isn't.

As I drove the other day I was thinking about how some people have said in the past that they think Churches should have to pay taxes. One word popped into my head, Taxation without representation! how can we make churches pay taxes if the government wont allow them to be involved in the decision making of the country? Is that the reason churches dont pay taxes?


you started this by talking specificly about "churches". You didn't mention moveon.org at all.

you started this by talking specificly about "churches". You didn't mention moveon.org at all.

Since when does a thread have to stay on exactly the same topic?

Since when does a thread have to stay on exactly the same topic?

Depends if you want it to make any sense.

Religion may not be part of the government, yet that doesn't stop the religious leaders from continuously voicing their opinions on what the gov't should do & how they shoud do it. By all means they should be taxed.

As I drove the other day I was thinking about how some people have said in the past that they think Churches should have to pay taxes. One word popped into my head, Taxation without representation! how can we make churches pay taxes if the government wont allow them to be involved in the decision making of the country? Is that the reason churches dont pay taxes?

Yes it is, and it's a very good reason.

(By the way, "Taxation without representation" is three words.)

Religion may not be part of the government, yet that doesn't stop the religious leaders from continuously voicing their opinions on what the gov't should do & how they shoud do it. By all means they should be taxed.

Religious Leaders can voice their opinion on gov't all they want... as long as they don't actively participate in politics they should keep their tax exempt status..

Religious Leaders can voice their opinion on gov't all they want... as long as they don't actively participate in politics they should keep their tax exempt status..


Religious leaders can "voice their opinioins" all they want, in the appropriate places. They can speak up in town meetings and write to newspapers just like everyone else. They should not use their congragations as captive audiences.
Churches should not campaign for any particular political cantidate. They cannot tell their congragations who to vote for.

They can also participate in the politics just like everyone else, by voting.

Various religions have their own PACs to influence lawmakers. During the last Presidential campaign we heard Catholic leaders telling their congregations not to vote for certain candidates because they supported abortion rights. They went as far as proclaiming the congregants' unsuitable to participate in all aspects of that religion. The Christian Coalition is very influential. How is that different than the AFL-CIO, for example? Why should a labor union be taxed yet a church is not, when they very often have the very same goals?
Religions have had a free ride in this country for way to long. Time for them to pony up to the tax man the same way the rest of us do.
Next on the block should be the myraid of other tax-exempt organizations. Certain charities pay their directors and staffs very handsome salaries, they've plenty of money to provide themselves with wonderful facilities, and plenty of perks ... why no taxes?

Religious leaders can "voice their opinioins" all they want, in the appropriate places. They can speak up in town meetings and write to newspapers just like everyone else. They should not use their congragations as captive audiences.
Churches should not campaign for any particular political cantidate. They cannot tell their congragations who to vote for.

They can also participate in the politics just like everyone else, by voting.

Agreed... but that means the .org's can't campaign for any particular candidate either... and we all know THAT doesn't happen

For all that great-sounding 'tax-exempt' status, don't forget who hands out those classifications AND rides shotgun over the organization to make sure they heed the rules... Brother IRS. Having worked in the non-profit field for 15 years, I can tell ya there's very little 'wiggle room' for enjoying those 'plenty of perks' without being seriously questioned. Not to mention, you're told what you can and cannot do with your own money.

Yep, if you want some serious attention from the IRS, just file for your 501(c)3.

;)
SMW

Here's another good one. The NAACP has the tax-exempt status reserved for politically neutral organizations.

Why should a labor union be taxed yet a church is not, Labor unions endorse candidates and donate millions of dollars to candidates and political parties.
They even donate members' money to candidates the members don't endorse.

One word popped into my head, Taxation without representation! how can we make churches pay taxes if the government wont allow them to be involved in the decision making of the country? Is that the reason churches dont pay taxes?


No. The primary reason that churches are considered tax exempt is the charitable work that they do. It has little if anything to do with "taxation without representation", and everything to do with the seperation of church and state.

Church properties that are commercial in nature are usually taxed like any other business. Churches can, and do, lose such exemptions if they engage in supporting a particular candidate or working to pass specific legislation.

http://atheism.about.com/od/churchestaxexemptions/a/overview.htm

Here's another good one. The NAACP has the tax-exempt status reserved for politically neutral organizations.

HAHAHAHA NAACP Tax Exempt that's a good one...