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Old 06-18-2012, 12:26 AM
 
Location: Florida
589 posts, read 848,403 times
Reputation: 411

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Religious tax exemptions cost U.S. $71.1 billion, report says

Since everyone knows that all religion is big business, shouldn't all churches and religious institutions be taxed?

 
Old 06-18-2012, 12:50 AM
 
23,653 posts, read 17,433,371 times
Reputation: 7467
Default No

NYT: Good for Religion, Good for America, by: Mark Rienzi | Becket Fund


Religious exemptions are an essential part of our democracy. They provide breathing space for religious individuals and institutions to exist. They benefit all Americans, regardless of religion or lack thereof.
Consider the Quakers. Early in our history, when Quakers refused to fight in the military, they were given exemptions. Even in dire national emergencies, our early governments recognized that the state generally should not force a religious individual to violate sincerely held beliefs.

There was a surprise beneficiary of these exemptions: slaves. Because the Quakers were not forced out, they were around to lead the public charge against slavery, reminding their fellow citizens of the humanity and inherent dignity of African slaves.

Our nation has often benefited from religious individuals and institutions who were free to bring their religious perspective into the public square, whether by arguing for fair labor laws, advocating better treatment for immigrants, or providing food, shelter and health care to those in need. The Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. and our civil rights movement often made expressly religious calls for the equal treatment of African-Americans.
 
Old 06-18-2012, 12:50 AM
 
Location: Old Bellevue, WA
18,782 posts, read 17,291,001 times
Reputation: 7990
Or we could shrink government down to a size such that it can be drowned in a bathtub. Thereby eliminating the insatiable need for ever-greater tax revenue. Problem solved.
 
Old 06-18-2012, 12:55 AM
 
69,368 posts, read 63,891,310 times
Reputation: 9383
There is no cost to the government in allowing people to keep money THATS THEIRS. The only way its a governmental cost is if you think its the governments money to begin with.

Thats like saying donations to the Red Cross, is consting the government money.. bs...
 
Old 06-18-2012, 12:56 AM
 
11,531 posts, read 10,258,833 times
Reputation: 3580
In my town there are quite a few "Churches" that are basically money making schemes that pay no taxes and have gotten huge discounts on utilities.

They have this nice little scam, hold service once or twice a week and pay no taxes.

Last edited by Savoir Faire; 06-18-2012 at 01:56 AM..
 
Old 06-18-2012, 12:57 AM
 
11,531 posts, read 10,258,833 times
Reputation: 3580
Quote:
Originally Posted by pghquest View Post
There is no cost to the government in allowing people to keep money THATS THEIRS. The only way its a governmental cost is if you think its the governments money to begin with.

Thats like saying donations to the Red Cross, is consting the government money.. bs...
So nobody should be taxed??

Wow, must be nice to live in the land of pink haired unicorns and rainbows.
 
Old 06-18-2012, 12:59 AM
 
23,653 posts, read 17,433,371 times
Reputation: 7467
Quote:
Originally Posted by Savoir Faire View Post
So nobody should be taxed??

Wow, must be nice to live in the land of pink haired unicorns and rainbows.

LOL, what church is that?
 
Old 06-18-2012, 01:06 AM
 
69,368 posts, read 63,891,310 times
Reputation: 9383
Quote:
Originally Posted by Savoir Faire View Post
So nobody should be taxed??
I didnt at all say that.. Are you having difficulty following along?

Hey Savoir, if you die this year and no longer pay taxes, whats the cost to the government?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Savoir Faire View Post
Wow, must be nice to live in the land of pink haired unicorns and rainbows.
So you think the land of pink haired unicorns and rainbows exist for people who dont pay taxes? That would be 1/2 of americans.
 
Old 06-18-2012, 01:12 AM
 
Location: Los Angeles
14,366 posts, read 9,745,710 times
Reputation: 6662
Quote:
Originally Posted by Nomad58 View Post
Religious tax exemptions cost U.S. $71.1 billion, report says

Since everyone knows that all religion is big business, shouldn't all churches and religious institutions be taxed?
Religious institutions are also the bulk of soup kitchens, big brother/sister programs, orphanages, and outreach programs.

Even the friendly athiest posts this:

[IMG]http://wp.patheos.com.s3.amazonaws.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/files/2011/03/ChurchWorth.jpg

I'm tired of hearing how the rich and religious are costing this country, from people who are raping this country and only want more. Our government is costing us 1.2T a year. They spend $120M to find $20M in welfare fraud. We are being screwed both ways, and you post how religion is "costing this country"

Welcome to OZ scarecrow. Let us know when you've met the wizard.

Quote:
Originally Posted by pghquest View Post
I didnt at all say that.. Are you having difficulty following along?

Hey Savoir, if you die this year and no longer pay taxes, whats the cost to the government?

So you think the land of pink haired unicorns and rainbows exist for people who dont pay taxes? That would be 1/2 of americans.
Yes, those are the people screaming for more money. The one's I'm writting a check to right this very minute to cover my payroll tax. The tax that will pay for some shlep to advance his pi$$ in a bottle art, or some cowboy music festival wannabe, or to study the alcoholism rate of Chinese prostitutes. The people who take everything yet contribute nothing, or politicians on spending binges. These are the people screaming the loudest of how much money (that was never theirs)THEY ARE LOSING.

Last edited by CaseyB; 06-18-2012 at 01:54 PM..
 
Old 06-18-2012, 01:23 AM
 
Location: Earth
24,620 posts, read 28,205,151 times
Reputation: 11416
Quote:
Originally Posted by janelle144 View Post
NYT: Good for Religion, Good for America, by: Mark Rienzi | Becket Fund


Religious exemptions are an essential part of our democracy. They provide breathing space for religious individuals and institutions to exist. They benefit all Americans, regardless of religion or lack thereof.
Consider the Quakers. Early in our history, when Quakers refused to fight in the military, they were given exemptions. Even in dire national emergencies, our early governments recognized that the state generally should not force a religious individual to violate sincerely held beliefs.

There was a surprise beneficiary of these exemptions: slaves. Because the Quakers were not forced out, they were around to lead the public charge against slavery, reminding their fellow citizens of the humanity and inherent dignity of African slaves.

Our nation has often benefited from religious individuals and institutions who were free to bring their religious perspective into the public square, whether by arguing for fair labor laws, advocating better treatment for immigrants, or providing food, shelter and health care to those in need. The Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. and our civil rights movement often made expressly religious calls for the equal treatment of African-Americans.
I don't want your religious perspective to the public square.
If you choose to do that, pay for the privilege.
Churches do not benefit me in any way, but thanks for your opinion.

Is this still the 1700 & 1800s?

Our tax dollars paid for a megachurch in LA to have one of the largest pipe organs in the world.
The World's Largest Pipe Organs

Tax the church. Period.

Quote:
Originally Posted by janelle144 View Post
LOL, what church is that?
Every church.
No proof of a god thing so it's all rainbows and fairies.
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