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Debate Info

7
11
No. Yes.
Debate Score:18
Arguments:18
Total Votes:21
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 No. (7)
 
 Yes. (9)

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SitaraMusica(536) pic



Should churces be tax exempt?

I am a Christian, but I have to say no, because with tax exempt status, churches are not allowed the same free speech as they would have if they paid taxes and Congress shall make no law respecting the establishment of religion or prohibiting the free excercise thereof.

No.

Side Score: 7
VS.

Yes.

Side Score: 11

Only if they lose their ability to fund lobbies and politicians. Then they a) are in accordance with the establishment clause in the constitution and b) will have less of a financial burden, making taxation less problematic.

Side: No.

Churches are getting too involved in politics, so, they should lose that exemption.

Side: No.
1 point

If they were to tax churches, they would be requiring the church make money to sustain itself. More money than rent, or food is required. Then nothing is really stopping people from lobbying to have the taxes for unfavorable churches raised, to the point that the churches can no longer run. Similar to how cigarettes are taxed outrageously high, as the government's silent protest against them, the same could happen to religions deemed unfavorable.

Side: Yes.
Cartman(18192) Disputed
1 point

Last time I checked cigarettes are still widely available. Sounds like your idea that taxes will shut it down is gone. If you have to pay a percentage of your income, you don't need to make more money to pay off that amount.

Side: No.
DrawFour(2662) Clarified
1 point

Cigarette companies sell cigarettes for more, to cover the taxes. If they didn't do that, they'd go under. A no profit organization like a church, can't really do that.

Side: No.
1 point

Churches are just one of the many types of nonprofit organizations our government grants tax exempt status. I believe that granting this status is mostly due to being nonprofit.

Side: Yes.
1 point

The record keeping demands on an organization that enjoys legal status as a religion are much less stringent than those of those not so designated.

Side: Yes.
Atrag(5666) Banned
1 point

A church is a non profit organisation. It should be treated as any other non profit organisation. No better no worse.

Side: Yes.
1 point

Yeshua said to pay taxes. .

Side: No.
Atrag(5666) Disputed Banned
1 point

My argument still. stands.

Side: Yes.
Paradox44(736) Disputed
1 point

Yes, the bible says pay taxes. The bible did not say that the Government is required to tax the churches. The bible merely says that you give what belongs to God to God. Then give what belongs to the Government to the Government. So if you get a pay check and the Government wants 10% of that check then that 10% belongs to the Government so in accordance to what the bible says you are required to pay those taxes. If the Government says that they want 10% of what churches make then I assume that you would be required by scripture to pay those taxes. However, this is not the case. The Government isn't taxing the churches because they are non-profit.

This is what the bible says in regards to taxes:

Matthew 22:17-21

17 Tell us, then, what you think. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?” 18 But Jesus, aware of their malice, said, “Why put me to the test, you hypocrites? 19 Show me the coin for the tax.” And they brought him a denarius(I guess this is a form of currency). 20 And Jesus said to them, “Whose likeness and inscription is this?” 21 They said, “Caesar’s.” Then he said to them, “Therefore render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.”

Side: Yes.
thousandin1(1931) Clarified
1 point

Strictly speaking, he told his followers to pay taxes. That implies that individuals should not attempt to avoid their tax burden. It does not state that the government should be taxing individuals or groups, simply that if the government IS taxing you, you should pay it.

The statement did not suggest that churches should be treated as taxable entities. If the government opted to start taxing churches, then his teachings would dictate that those taxes should be paid- but if the government is currently treating churches as tax exempt, that's not a problem.

If Caesar isn't asking for anything, you needn't render anything unto him.

Side: No.