[DarrenBent]

Yes, they ought to be taxed. God would want it that way. We are all God's children, we should be treated the same way by God's Instrument of Government.

[ppfpooghn]

I think the op makes a good point. Why are religions exempt from taxes, especially in a recession?

[brorialsibers]

Yes, tax them. God told me you should render unto caesar what is caesars.

[Narus63]

Well-said, HC. DaShi is just providing another opportunity to work the atheists into yet another frenzy. Like it matters.

[gDGwm8BC]

I agree with the OP, they should be taxed just like all nonprofits.

They can feel free to operate a charity separate from their church.

[moopierof]

They can feel free to operate a charity separate from their church.

And preaching and the building the preaching occurs in is of course charity, so sounds fine in theory.

JM

[w3QHxwNb]

And preaching and the building the preaching occurs in is of course charity, so sounds fine in theory.

JM

I have a hard time seeing how taxing churches would adversely affect the quality of preaching.

[Rqqneujr]

I have a hard time seeing how taxing churches would adversely affect the quality of preaching.

Since you are an atheist (at least I presume you are), it's really not fair for you to judge since you don't believe preaching has any quality whatsoever.

[Ad0i89Od]

Since you are an atheist (at least I presume you are), it's really not fair for you to judge since you don't believe preaching has any quality whatsoever.

Interesting, if bizarre, assumption.

[PrettyFifa12]

In the first place, more goes on through a church than "preaching".

[SHpuntik]

Not really, seeing as he voted religion as being "fake" in the real or fake poll.

I meant the statement as a whole. B does not necessarily follow from A.

[Jifyicyfuhpop]

At what point can Apple declare itself a religion and avoid taxes?

I'm fairly sure people, in general, have far more faith in Steve Jobs than God.

[Wdlglivi]

Except that they are already charities. Which should be taxed.

Should charities be taxed?

Slap a tax on donations to feed the hungry. There will be less revenue to feed the starving. They will die quicker so less starving people but I guess that is there own fault so they deserved it. What do you reckon about cutting the taxes for the rich and making up the shortfall taxing charities and churchs.
:sarcasm:

taxing charities

[CedssypeEdids]

For sure. Religion and politics have never intertwined.

[ketNavatutt]

Yes, taxing charities seems kind of unproductive, unless you assume that the government could provide the same service cheaper or better.
But religion's functions are not 100% charities so they shouldn't be 100% tax free.

[Hodstcopter]

It seems like the ACLU has spent more money begging Kuciwalker for additional donations than he provided in donations

[HsSp82U8]

Yes, taxing charities seems kind of unproductive, unless you assume that the government could provide the same service cheaper or better.
But religion's functions are not 100% charities so they shouldn't be 100% tax free.

There is no way you would ever get the religious to agree to a % that is pure charity. To their mind the whole thing is charity. We've had this debate here before.

I say tax them like any other business and avoid the argument.

[beenBinybelia]

It's a very strange business that accepts donations but doesn't require payment for the vast majority of services rendered...

[RadcliffXX]

The worst is that sometimes it's not donations but Tithes.

[Kamendoriks]

Isn't a tithe just another word for a voluntary donation?

There's no legal obligation is there?