If the Dems. and Reps. are looking for tax cuts why don't they go after the churches? Why should the churches be tax exempt? Is this not blurring the line between church and state?

They are exempt precisely because of the separation of church and state. The state has no authority to tax them.

I admit this can be abused. In the neighborhood where I grew up in NY almost every third house was a "House of Worship" of some sort or another!

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I believe churches have a non-profit exemption, if I am not mistaken...

I say the 50% of the people that do not pay Federal income taxes need to be taxed 10% to help 'em wake up to reality.

"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof"

Why should the non-profits be tax exempt? Why should I have to pay for some religion that I do not agree with? Everyone should be required to carry their own share of the load.

Given that some churches are amongst the biggest rackets in the country they damm well ought to be taxed. Unfortunately theres that whole churce state separation thing. However given that the constitution only says that congress shall make no law respecting the establishment of religion or the free exercise thereof I wonder how if all churches were taxed equally any of them could complain about discrimination.

- Peter.

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It has nothing to do with discrimination or disparate treatment between religions, the constitution forbids the government from passing any law respecting the establishment or free exercise thereof!

The USC doesn’t say except in the case such that the free exercise thereof. is equitably and non-discriminatorily impinged upon, does it? The government confiscating the wealth of religious communities would clearly impact the "free exercise thereof", no?

Why do pacifists have to pay taxes to support the military?
Why do childless couples pay to support the school system?

In all cases, it is because at some level, it contributes to the general welfare ( betterment) of the country.

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I fail to see how taxing them as the same as any other business is infringing on their free speech or anything else.

Baring that, regulations need to be set as to how the money can be spent. I would start with saying a Gulf Stream would be out of the question. Huge sprawling estates should also be a no-no. Just my opinion. Some of these institution have gone from religion to business.

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"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof"

Don't be a Constitution HATER!

How does taxing them violate the COTUS?

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- With out god, life is everything.
- God is an ever receding pocket of scientific ignorance that's getting smaller and smaller as time moves on..." Neil DeGrasse Tyson
- You can pray for me, I'll think for you.
- When you understand why you dismiss all the other possible gods, you will understand why I dismiss yours.

Why should the non-profits not be tax exempt? Why should I have to pay for some public school when I send my kids to private schools at an upcharge out of my own pocket? Everyone that sends their kids to a public school should be required to carry their own share of the load.

I'm just thankful they're not in charge of me and my family. All I worked for would be at-risk in some of these wildly Marxist-modeled worlds. The class hate & envy is palpable and downright scary.

Religious establishments are funded through donations. Since this is not the sale of something, there is no sales tax. Since this is not earned income, there is no income tax. What tax law would apply in this situation?
Do you propose the IRS have free run of everyone's bank account to tax them on how much is in there?

That's all fine and dandy as long s the money does not get used for the church but charity. When the money starts to buy jets and mansions I would argue that they are no longer a non-profit. I think churches should have to account for the money they take in. Salaries for for the pastors, priests or what ever should be capped. There is a .com church up in Grapevine here in DFW. The place is huge as in massive as in seats for probably a few thousand at least. There is a massive amount of money in that place. More than any tax exempt place should have in my opinion.

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2014 C250 21,XXX my new DD ** 2013 GLK 350 18,000 Wife's new DD**

- With out god, life is everything.
- God is an ever receding pocket of scientific ignorance that's getting smaller and smaller as time moves on..." Neil DeGrasse Tyson
- You can pray for me, I'll think for you.
- When you understand why you dismiss all the other possible gods, you will understand why I dismiss yours.