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I think it's fair in most cases but then you've got those mega-churches making millions. I there there should be a cap - especially for folks like Joel Olstein.
One of the things I find a little disturbing is the double-standard applied by many people - especially those on the Left.
There are a lot of Democrats & Leftists (not necessarily the same thing) who decry the political clout of organizations such as Focus On The Family, as well as large Evangelical mega-churches. These are usually the folks who are calling for churches' tax exempt status to be revoked.
But we never hear a peep from these same folks about the fact that DNC candidates are fully expected to visit black churches, and even get up and speak during their services. In addition, I know for a fact that the leadership of the largest black church here in Omaha (Salem Baptist on 30th & Lake) was openly and aggressively telling parishioners that they HAD to vote for Obama, this past election. It was a black mandate! And the month after the election found that same church preaching about black liberation theology, and "it's about time!"
What the heck? Maybe somebody can tell me why white churches cannot endorse and promote Republican candidates, while black churches are fully expected to endorse and promote DNC candidates. It seems odd to me.
I think it's fair in most cases but then you've got those mega-churches making millions. I there there should be a cap - especially for folks like Joel Olstein.
I don't think there should be a cap, just taxes when churches cease to behave like a not-for-profit agency.
One of the things I find a little disturbing is the double-standard applied by many people - especially those on the Left.
There are a lot of Democrats & Leftists (not necessarily the same thing) who decry the political clout of organizations such as Focus On The Family, as well as large Evangelical mega-churches. These are usually the folks who are calling for churches' tax exempt status to be revoked.
But we never hear a peep from these same folks about the fact that DNC candidates are fully expected to visit black churches, and even get up and speak during their services. In addition, I know for a fact that the leadership of the largest black church here in Omaha (Salem Baptist on 30th & Lake) was openly and aggressively telling parishioners that they HAD to vote for Obama, this past election. It was a black mandate! And the month after the election found that same church preaching about black liberation theology, and "it's about time!"
What the heck? Maybe somebody can tell me why white churches cannot endorse and promote Republican candidates, while black churches are fully expected to endorse and promote DNC candidates. It seems odd to me.
I got pissed off when I heard of that happening. I'm a libertarian, and I dont' believe ANY not for profit should pander to ANY political party. I have a sticker on my car for a non profit in my area, so I don't put any political stickers on because of that. I don't think any churches of any race/belief/gender/orientation etc should be endorsing political candidates or propositions or anything along those lines.
I just received another email ranting about having prayer in school and I wondered why do Churches get a free ride - meaning those who don't believe have to pay for the believers.
Didn't Ronald Reagan espouse the philosophy of pay for what you use?
This goes for all religious real estate -not just churches.
Those who either don't attend church or have their own private beliefs, are forced to subsidize these buildings. The churches receive all the city services .. and pay for none of them.
We subsidize your whacky groups too. Eg., ACORN and Greenpeace, so I hope you're willing to pay for those too -- out of your own pocket -- don't complain next time your favorite non-profits inundate you with junk mail and calls b/c you didn't want to give them a tax break.
In the old days, most pioneer towns and early American cities used their churches for everything: community centers, schools, soup kitchens, rehab centers, shelters, town hall meetings, and Bible study. They weren't used for money making, but they were used for almost anything else to help out a community. If taxation meant shutting a few down, that was viewed as detrimental to the town.
Still, it seems strange that every Rockefeller controlled outfit gets out of paying any taxes (oil companies, pharma giants, utility companies, foundations, unions, mafia, large churches, law firms, telecom and media giants, even lobbying firms). Since they own the media and control the politicians, of course they're going to set the law up for their benefit.
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