Should we revoke tax exempt status of Religion?
In the United States, religous organizations such as: Churches, Mosques, Synagouges, etc. all have exempt status from paying taxes to the federal government. Some people believe that this is fair exercise of the seperation of church and state clause in the Constitution, because it allows free practice of religion without obstruction from the government.
Others believe that this violates the seperation of church and state clause in the fact that the government can choose which organizations can be "federally recognized" as a "legit" religous organization, and it gives too big of an advantage of religous based organizations and activities over secular ones.
Whats your opinion on this matter?
Yes
Side Score: 8
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No
Side Score: 11
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If a specific church doesn't meet the standard of a charitable non-profit yes, so I imagine yes, the vast majority of religions should be paying taxes. They for the most part are not harmless organization there for the well-being of humanity, most are into the business of manipulating people to stir up emotion to make money. Side: Yes
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Almost all secular groups are tax exempt, if I opened a restaurant that is a secular organization, besides it technically gives the government the ability to endorse certain religions because they only grant tax exempt status to the ones that they "recognize" such as Christianity, Islam, Judaism, etc. but if I decided to start a cult of Chucky Cheese church they most likely wouldnt grant me church exempt status, no matter how sincere I am in my worship of Chucky Cheese. Side: Yes
You just reminded me, I should check up on the new religion called Kopimism to see if they've had any success getting legally recognized here in the US yet. This is VERY interesting to me as I think the religious/secular dichotomy is seriously illusory to begin with. Side: No
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Almost all secular groups are tax exempt, if I opened a restaurant that is a secular organization, besides it technically gives the government the ability to endorse certain religions because they only grant tax exempt status to the ones that they "recognize" such as Christianity, Islam, Judaism, etc. but if I decided to start a cult of Chucky Cheese church they most likely wouldnt grant me church exempt status, no matter how sincere I am in my worship of Chucky Cheese. They wouldn't cause that is obviously a parody and who believes that? Also trying saying that to the IRS. It is illogical to say only religious people get tax breaks when atheists also get tax breaks from the IRS. Side: No
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Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances. Side: Yes
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Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances. Ok so the Establishment clause? Side: No
There is no part of the Constitution that dictates how States may establish tax exempts. Religion is whatever, but my concern is more with taxation in the first place. If there's a tax cut somewhere, I support it. Less taxes means less money in the hands of bureaucrats and more money in the hands of private citizens. Churches feed the poor and shit. Doesn't matter if they worship a zombie, they're helping people. But regardless, who cares what people even believe in? I find belief in the ability of people to take away our money and spend it however they want is way more dumb than belief in some magic that happened to illiterate poor people in the Middle East. Side: No
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