tax exempt status for religions

[Dixie - In Memoriam]

"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."


Dixie, are you maintaining that the phrase "...free exercise thereof" is talking about taxation?

I would argue that anything which is taxed, is not "free."

 

[WinterBorn]

I would argue that anything which is taxed, is not "free."

So the idea of being free, as in having freedom, is the same as being free, as in without cost?

 

[Dixie - In Memoriam]

So the idea of being free, as in having freedom, is the same as being free, as in without cost?

Think of it like this... If we required you to pay a tax to be able to speak, would we have "freedom of speech?" Or would it be, those who could pay the tax have the freedom of speech, and those who can't pay the tax, don't?

 

[Bonestorm]

Think of it like this... If we required you to pay a tax to be able to speak, would we have "freedom of speech?" Or would it be, those who could pay the tax have the freedom of speech, and those who can't pay the tax, don't?

But that's not remotely analogous. No one pays a tax to practice their religion. An analogous situation would be if you established an organization devoted to speech and you bought some land and received contributions and hired and paid employees and were subject to taxation lest your organization qualified as a charitable non-profit organization.

 

[Canceled2]

i would not be opposed to not for profits having to pay property taxes - you just gave me an idea for another thread, thank you

Great you blood sucking schmuck!

Non profs receive tax exemptions because they serve communities without seeking a profit...most communities and its citizens recognize the virtue of this, as well as the unique part these various organizations and agencies play in building up, for the good, the communities where they are established.

 

[Minister of Truth]

Furthermore, without turning a profit, these organizations cannot afford to pay taxes.

 

[Good Luck]

however, those organizations are required to provide an accounting of services provided .vs income

As are churches. It is a standard requirement for maintaining a 501(c)3 tax exempt status.