Churches Are Parasites on The Taxpayers, page 1

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Topic started on 3-12-2011 @ 12:45 PM by Klassified

In the process of researching for an upcoming thread, I ran across this opinion piece of the same name as the OP. After reading through it, it seemed to be deserving of its own thread.

I personally am against income and property taxation. Nevertheless, it is the reality of our society, and we all pay it whether we agree with it or not. So this thread isn't about the constitutionality of said taxation. But rather the inequality written into our laws concerning certain religious organizations, as well as the skirting, and outright disregard for separation of church and state.

"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof..."

Which brings me to my next point. Any discussion regarding separation of church and state needs a foundational understanding of what that term means. And I think James Madison does a fine job summarizing it in regard to this aspect of the topic.

“The appropriation of funds of the United States for the use and support of religious societies, [is] contrary to the article of the Constitution which declares that ‘Congress shall make no law respecting a religious establishment.’”

“Because it is proper to take alarm at the first experiment on our liberties. We hold this prudent jealousy to be the first duty of Citizens, and one of the noblest characteristics of the late Revolution. The free men of America did not wait till usurped power had strengthed itself by exercise, and entangled the question in precedents. They saw all the consequences in the principle, and they avoided the consequences by denying the principle. We revere this lesson too much soon to forget it. Who does not see that the same authority which can establish Christianity, in exclusion of all other Religions, may establish with the same ease any particular sect of Christians, in exclusion of all other Sects? that the same authority which can force a citizen to contribute three pence only of his property for the support of any one establishment, may force him to conform to any other establishment in all cases whatsoever?” —James Madison (1751-1836) Fourth U.S. President—

Adding my own personal definition: Our governing bodies are to make no law in favor of, or discriminating against any religion in the United States. Neither does our government have any business in espousing or showing prejudice toward any given religion. Religion has no place in the administration of this country.

The author of this piece begins with a simple question. Is there seperation of church and state in America? And answers with a resounding NO! And I believe his reasoning, though short, and to the point, is sound. A few quotes:

The first entanglement is that every state exempts churches from ad valorem taxes. Those are taxes assessed against the owner of real property. These taxes are usually assessed by county, and the money raised is used to fund local education and city/county services such as fire and police. There may be other government beneficiaries of these taxes such as street and sewer maintenance.
The truth is, churches own a lot of real property, and that property is not being assessed to pay the taxes that must be borne to sustain government services. Since the churches don’t pay property taxes, the burden of county and local government services is passed on to the other real property owners.

A second entanglement is the deduction for donations to churches. The Internal Revenue Code allows donors to take a deduction for money they give to their churches. This means that church donors pay fewer taxes because of the deduction, thereby passing the tax burden of government on to all the other taxpayers who do not donate to churches and do not get a similar tax deduction.

According to www.america.gov... $96.82 billion dollars was donated to churches nationwide in the year 2006. That is the latest year for which figures are available.
This is truly amazing as it means that people who don’t give money to churches are required to pick up the tab for over $96 billion dollars. With that amount of money, the voice of religion grows louder.

Now, let’s top this off with President George W. Bush’s faith-based tax giveaways to churches. Congress has passed a law that churches can discriminate in hiring.* This means your tax dollars are given to churches for the supposed purpose of social services, but if you are not a member of that church, they can discriminate and not hire you. Thus, they keep the free money among their own members.

So it would seem that there are much stronger ties between our government and the church than we all realize. Straight up to the potus. Considering Obama has carried on with Bush's "Faith Based Initiatives", and even enhanced them. Faith based program gets wider focus...

And also considering:

...under the Internal Revenue Code, churches are not required to file a 990 tax form, or any other form. The IRS is prohibited from inspecting the books of churches to determine where the contributions go or how the churches spend the money.

From my perspective, the corporate christian church in this country is no better than the 1% everone has come to despise. And is no less dishonest and diabolical than Monsanto, the government, or the elitists themselves. And indeed, maybe worse, since they claim to have all truth, and the high moral ground of this world.

Article Link: Churches are parasites...

edit on 12/3/2011 by Klassified because: formatting

reply posted on 3-12-2011 @ 01:04 PM by rsodl

reply posted on 3-12-2011 @ 01:56 PM by DaveNorris

only read the title and couldnt agree with you more

reply posted on 4-12-2011 @ 12:49 AM by PrimalRed

churches don't pay tax, get over it.

reply posted on 4-12-2011 @ 01:51 AM by RevelationGeneration

The only reason Christian church's have become corporations is because the IRS forced them too.

I know off a pastor who went to jail for 10 years for tax evasion for not paying taxes as he didn't want his ministrie to become a corporation.

I think it's unfair and the only conspiracy here is towards the government.

If you want to complain about a church that is tax exempt, then make a thread about Scientology or something.

edit on 4-12-2011 by RevelationGeneration because: (no reason given)

reply posted on 6-12-2011 @ 12:15 AM by Grimpachi

reply to post by Klassified

Thank you for bringing this to my attention. Churches are just a drain on society, they should have to pay taxes the same as everyone else. I do not see the tax laws changing anytime soon because there are too many brainwashed religious people out there. Some worse than others just look at the Church of Scientology that is just a Corporation/cult. The Catholic church isn't far behind. They just harbor pedophiles.

reply posted on 6-12-2011 @ 12:22 AM by Zaanny

I do not know about other people areas but in my area there are churches on huge acreage lots with brand new shiny HUGE facilitys.

maps.google.com...,or.r_gc.r_pw.,cf.osb&biw=1254&bih=712 &um=1&ie=UTF-8&q=hilton+ny+churches&fb=1&gl=us&hq=churches&hnear=0x89d6a57e6972b855:0xa823a123004bb2dd,Hilton,+NY&sa=X&ei=qbPdTsOcM8Lr0gGPipSQBw&ved=0 CBsQyBM" target="_blank" class="postlink">maps.google.com...,or.r_gc.r_pw.,cf.osb&biw=1254&bih=712&um= 1&ie=UTF-8&q=hilton+ny+churches&fb=1&gl=us&hq=churches&hnear=0x89d6a57e6972b855:0xa823a123004bb2dd,Hilton,+NY&sa=X&ei=qbPdTsOcM8Lr0gGPipSQBw&ved=0CBsQ yBM

The building and land have to be over a few million....

The place is HUGE

reply posted on 6-12-2011 @ 01:16 AM by frankensence

"Separation of church and state". If the church doesn't have to pay property or sales tax, are they getting preferential treatment? Treat everyone equally, and let them all pay their fair share on taxes.

reply posted on 6-12-2011 @ 01:20 AM by Akragon

reply to post by Klassified

Taxes are a parasite on humanity!

So is usury

en.wikipedia.org...

Damn thieves..

30Give to every man that asketh of thee; and of him that taketh away thy goods ask them not again.

31And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.

32For if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? for sinners also love those that love them.

33And if ye do good to them which do good to you, what thank have ye? for sinners also do even the same.

34And if ye lend to them of whom ye hope to receive, what thank have ye? for sinners also lend to sinners, to receive as much again.

35But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.

36Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.