Should Churches be Tax-Exempt?

Should Churches be Tax-Exempt?

Interesting article in the Destin Log: "Render Unto Caesar?"

?Unto Caeser': The case for taxing churches | case, churches, column - COLUMN - TheDestinLog.com

Only the sanctuary and class rooms should be tax exempt, not the recreation centers, ball fields, bowling allys, pastors mansions, revenue from TV, etc.

Simple answer to a simple question. No.

It would be interesting. I wonder then what sort of tax deduction and income sheltering games the churches will start playing. Can the authorities be impartial when it comes to auditing, or will they cut some slack for their favorite denomination?

Maybe on the portion of their income that goes straight to the poor, sick, starving, thirsty . . .


While we're at it, should churches be exempt from sign laws?

Maybe on the portion of their income that goes straight to the poor, sick, starving, thirsty . . .


While we're at it, should churches be exempt from sign laws?

No

Maybe on the portion of their income that goes straight to the poor, sick, starving, thirsty . . .


While we're at it, should churches be exempt from sign laws?

Interesting. I didn't know they were.

simple answer , paying taxes on business activity and investment is a just a matter of time for the greatest con game in human history

Interesting. I didn't know they were.

I see a lot of signs at intersections advertising churches.

Only the sanctuary and class rooms should be tax exempt, not the recreation centers, ball fields, bowling allys, pastors mansions, revenue from TV, etc.

I agree somewhat poppy, although I would submit that the rec centers, ball fields and such provide a community service and should be exempt as well. These facilities are often the only ones available to kids and everyone always bemoans the lack of opportunities for our youth. I would also say that income used for charity should be exempt as well.

Simple answer to a simple question. No.

(it's not often I get to borrow an entire post from Andy because it perfectly sums up my position- yay!)

🙂

Simple answer to a simple question. No.

(it's not often I get to borrow an entire post from Andy because it perfectly sums up my position- yay!)

🙂

First, it's nice to see my friend Andy on the side of the raising taxes. That ain't going to sit well with the Tea Party. Haha

Seriously the question has more complexity than a simple yes or no answer.

A. Generally speaking, a church building is very, very different a typical commercial property. A church, for the most part, has one use-a church. A commercial property can host a myriad of businesses. Commercial banks tend to look at lending for church expansion much more stringently than other commercial developments-even in the boom days.

B. If non-profits are NOT tax-exempt, then do we really want the athletic field beside the YMCA to be taxed as commerical property? When I was a kid vacant lots hosted baseball and football games, now that's as likely as a kid learning Morse Code.

I know a YMCA where donor built a bowling alley. He had plenty of money and his wife liked to bowl. It is not operated as a commercial business. Before the libertarians in the crowd say it keeps a for-profit bowling alley out of town, let the record reflect that podunk town couldn't support one otherwise.

Complex problem have answers that are simple, easy-to-understand and wrong. H.L Menchken.

Now let me take a shower, I need to go to church, where we rent so I have no skin in the game.

No, remember Jim Baker?

Con men seem to gravitate toward the tax exempt status of churches. You see them selling god bearing products like "Gods Children" bracelets out of a hitch trailer etc... you've seen them.

My neighbor, a new minister, invited me to a Baptist Church once so I went to support him. The collection took up an hour as they announced how much each family had given that morning and allowed people time to clap or not depending on the donation. I couldn't believe it. Talk about pressure to donate! Several months later, through my own research, I discovered the church leaders had used church funds to start a sub-prime loan company that preyed on the poor for profit.

This just turned my stomach to see such abuse of the religious system. Those guys are going straight to Hell.

First, it's nice to see my friend Andy on the side of the raising taxes. That ain't going to sit well with the Tea Party. Haha

Seriously the question has more complexity than a simple yes or no answer.

A. Generally speaking, a church building is very, very different a typical commercial property. A church, for the most part, has one use-a church. A commercial property can host a myriad of businesses. Commercial banks tend to look at lending for church expansion much more stringently than other commercial developments-even in the boom days.

B. If non-profits are NOT tax-exempt, then do we really want the athletic field beside the YMCA to be taxed as commerical property? When I was a kid vacant lots hosted baseball and football games, now that's as likely as a kid learning Morse Code.

I know a YMCA where donor built a bowling alley. He had plenty of money and his wife liked to bowl. It is not operated as a commercial business. Before the libertarians in the crowd say it keeps a for-profit bowling alley out of town, let the record reflect that podunk town couldn't support one otherwise.

Complex problem have answers that are simple, easy-to-understand and wrong. H.L Menchken.

Now let me take a shower, I need to go to church, where we rent so I have no skin in the game.

Libertarians don't take issue with alturism, Buz. :wave:

Con men seem to gravitate toward the tax exempt status of churches. You see them selling god bearing products like "Gods Children" bracelets out of a hitch trailer etc... you've seen them.

My neighbor, a new minister, invited me to a Baptist Church once so I went to support him. The collection took up an hour as they announced how much each family had given that morning and allowed people time to clap or not depending on the donation. I couldn't believe it. Talk about pressure to donate! Several months later, through my own research, I discovered the church leaders had used church funds to start a sub-prime loan company that preyed on the poor for profit.

This just turned my stomach to see such abuse of the religious system. Those guys are going straight to Hell.

Don't forget to wave at them.

[SIZE=+1]The Gospel according to[/SIZE] [SIZE=+2]St. Matthew[/SIZE][SIZE=+2]7[/SIZE]
Judging Others Lk. 6.3738, 4142 1 Judge not, that ye be not judged.
2 For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. Mk. 4.24

Don't forget to wave at them.

I think you should apologize. :nono1:

I think you should apologize. :nono1:

I'm sorry I pointed out someone's religious hypocrisy.

If a church is going to support a particular political agenda, and I think they do, they should be taxed!

If a church is going to support a particular political agenda, and I think they do, they should be taxed!

Like the Mormons with Prop 8 in California?