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The real cost is the impact the church has on the secular world, laws, Govt policy, etc.
We are not that far off from the days of burning suspected witches on the stake.
Which laws. Which policies?
What about all the charities run by the church? I often hear people say we should do away with welfare/food stamps and that those services should be provided by charities. Churches, IME, provide a variety of food pantries, daily meals, temporary housing, visits to the elderly and veterans, provide clothing, furniture, etc. to the needy, help them with unemployment, run addiction counseling, as well as marriage counseling, provide day care and youth programs.
OP is anti-Christian who singles out churches only, yet forgets to mention about synagogues, mosques, temples and other non-profit organizations.
Churches are number one charity organization... if you start taxing they will not be able to provide all assistant to the needy which you seem to not care and very selfish
You can cut foreign aid and military spending if you want to save money
I read church as a facility dedicated to any religion, not just one specific one. If you gather to talk to your imaginary sky friend there, it's a church.
What about all the charities run by the church? I often hear people say we should do away with welfare/food stamps and that those services should be provided by charities. Churches, IME, provide a variety of food pantries, daily meals, temporary housing, visits to the elderly and veterans, provide clothing, furniture, etc. to the needy, help them with unemployment, run addiction counseling, as well as marriage counseling, provide day care and youth programs.
All those things are provided by secular agencies as well. The only benefit is that the local food bank doesn't make you listen to a sermon first like the Salvation Army.
I always wonder why people spouting this anarcho-capitialist nonsense don't just move to outer Mongolia where they can live their dream instead of staying in America and being burdened with things like infrastructure, the rule of law, and an educated society. Most of Papua New Guinea has extremely limited contact with any governmental entity and with luck, one can be part of the 19% of residents that has a toilet instead of a ditch near the only water source to crap in.
In short, because they simply don't know better and/or they are the typical finger pointers, needing explanation for their own personal problems.
"My business failed because of taxes!" Right. Have another look at your competitors still in business and think again...
I was never happier or making more money as when I was paying the highest levels of taxes possible. Also glad to have a public school system to educate my children while I was working, a military to keep America's enemies at bay, social programs to help kids from begging on the streets, just for starters...
Churches that do stuff like this should definitely be taxed.
I'm a Christian. That guy seems to not understand that God is the God of "Liberals" also. The Bible warns him about speaking unjustly about his neighbor.
You probably think the Church wields too much political power as it is now right?
if you remove the tax exempt status you would also remove the laws the limit their ability to influence politics directly. Do you really want the Vatican for example sending lobbyist directly into Washington?
Are you suggesting the major religions in America don't influence our political system as much as any other influence? If not more?
Unfortunately, religion still exercises far too much political sway in American politics, but this too is waning. Too slowly but the hold of that influence is slipping. Much in the way of religion requires we all have patience with the present generation and hope toward the next.
In short, because they simply don't know better and/or they are the typical finger pointers, needing explanation for their own personal problems.
"My business failed because of taxes!" Right. Have another look at your competitors still in business and think again...
I was never happier or making more money as when I was paying the highest levels of taxes possible. Also glad to have a public school system to educate my children while I was working, a military to keep America's enemies at bay, social programs to help kids from begging on the streets, just for starters...
You're referring to the ungrateful "rugged" <cough, cough> individual who stands on the shoulders of those who built our infrastructure, structured the judiciary, created modern technology, etc. with the government's help while complaining that "taxes are theft". Yes, there are many on this forum.
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