I’ve been active in a progressive church for over 50 years and have always said churches should pay taxes. They make use of fire and police when needed which to me alone is reason enough.
Absolutely! It is obvious that the Old Stale Taco wants to make religion an arm of Drumpf Corp. Let's see...he believes he deserves the Nobel Peace prize, since he is SUCH splendid peacemaker...and I suppose that being made pope of Trumpianity would be the next logical step, considering that his halo is SOOO huge. Bleah!
Churches should pay taxes if we are giving them school vouchers for their religious schools. I agree for all the other listed reasons too. When separation of church state faded away then taxes need to come to them
I have always believed that churches should pay taxes. Does it make sense for the preacher/priest/rabbi etc go around with pricey cars, huge homes, and even private jets.
I subscribe to the idea that those who benefit from tax-provided services should be paying their share of taxes. Bring back the separation of church and state.
Of course this also means mainline churches such as United Methodist, Disciples of Christ can also do this. And should. Especially when the theologically ignorant-but-fanatic claim the Sermon on the Mount is too ‘woke’ and ‘too political’.
This is what a corrupt Theocracy looks like and the continuing decimation of the Constitution. The whole point of people leaving England was when the King declared he was head of the church. They wanted a separation of Church and State. Megachurches should be taxed up the wazzoo because so many of the pastors have endorsed the Trump cult.
Agreed. But the reason shouldn't be because of one individual at one single point in time; it should be because they are collectively sham proxies created for the purpose of bilking people. They aren't even Christian, they're just wearing a threadbare skin of Christianity.
If Bernie Madoff had to pay taxes (and he did), so should they.
Hey- they do it anyway without impunity. In 2016 in a recorded talk to some retreatants, the retreat director at the local retreat center endorsed and promoted Assolini. It made me sick. I heard stories of priests from the pulpit telling parishioners that they had to vote for the party that protected life - They should definitely pay taxes.
Amen and then some. Flagpoles flying the American, Christian and Israeli flags look more like corporate headquarters than places to worship. Performative patriotism, wrapped up in Christianity is toxic. Synagogues and temples don’t do this. Their believers are more sure of themselves and their relationship with you, God.
I have seen the IRS take away tax exempt status, and should have seen so many more. I fully agree that churches should be taxed, UNLESS they begin to move back into the roll of the social safety net for the poor and disadvantaged in this country. This I say as an active interim minister of a progressive denomination.
Only if the social help is a very large part of their outgoing funding. I see too many Evangelical churches do a bare minimum and trumpet about it. 🙄 Didn't the guy they claim to follow have something to say about broadcasting your prayers and good works in public? 🤔
I agree with you completely, R.B,, completely. In my capacity, I regularly remind those under my care that speech without actions is empty and unfaithful, that our faith calls us to SHOW our faith more than YELL or BROADCAST our voices. And you are correct in your paraphrase of Jesus' teaching about public acts for the sake of publicity. From your lips to their ears!
I always believed that no pastor should live a lifestyle above that lived by his congregants. I have no problem with a humble and non-political church not paying taxes if their monies truly go to the community and not into the leadership wealth.
But, once they start campaigning from the pulpit, or living above the fiscal level of the majority of their members, then tax them like any other business. Because at that point, that is what they are.
And as a side note - if the IRS is allowing this now, I want to see my favorite pastors doing it too. Favorite meaning those who aren’t bigoted racist greedy assholes - you know - the ones who preach love, grace, community and did I mention love?
Churches have always been about mind control. It is their shtick, indoctrination from birth. The churches in this area were politically involved before the last election. Whether it was stooping for Trump or rallying against women's rights, they were doing it. These people walk around with a superiority complex while they prop up the worst of humanity... it's not difficult to see why.
They should have always been paying taxes. Always.
Most churches/religions are about men controlling women and all of the living world. They are built on the assumptions that 1) god is an all-male club, with him as the king, 2) the minds of all, especially women, have to be cleansed of all beliefs and actions that are not in accord with the religious 'truth,' 3) people must obey in all things if they do not wish to reside in hell for all eternity. And let us not forget this little bit of religious mind-fuck. If you are one of those loved by God, 'he' shows it by making you rich. Remember the bit about the camel, the needles eye and rich guys? Well, just forget about it. Gold, in all forms, is the true measure of God's love. Not OUR God...the one who, with Kiddo, writes this blog. I'm talking about the false god that far too many believe in.
"You're /poor/? Ooh, you MUST be a /bad person/. God doesn't love /you/, obs...well, my preacher told that to me last Sunday, so it must be true, right? :D"
And here I thought Protestantism, especially the whole "let's translate the Bible into vernacular languages ["And put my name on it and make me look good! :D" --King James I] so we can /read it for ourselves/" bit, wasn't supposed to be that judgemental...ha! :-/
This, of course, opens the door for ALL non-profits to sue and get the same benefits. It is like a non-profit version of Citizens United. Magats will be opening up non-profits every day to get the benefits of a no-tax political organization. They may even call themselves a "church". God, get your lightning bolts ready! Thank you, God! Amen! Awomen! Ramen!
Yes, Churches SHOULD pay taxes, especially if they keep playing politics!
I've said for years now that we should tax churches, but get them tax write-offs for their non-political charitable actions, like feeding the poor, providing hospices, building hospitals.
That's a way to keep the money to where it SHOULD be going....
I’ve been active in a progressive church for over 50 years and have always said churches should pay taxes. They make use of fire and police when needed which to me alone is reason enough.
Absolutely! It is obvious that the Old Stale Taco wants to make religion an arm of Drumpf Corp. Let's see...he believes he deserves the Nobel Peace prize, since he is SUCH splendid peacemaker...and I suppose that being made pope of Trumpianity would be the next logical step, considering that his halo is SOOO huge. Bleah!
I still don't see where he thinks he can intimidate a bunch of NORWEGIANS (= Vikings!) into tossing him a Peace Prize to keep him happy... X-P
AMEN!!!!!!!
Churches should pay taxes if we are giving them school vouchers for their religious schools. I agree for all the other listed reasons too. When separation of church state faded away then taxes need to come to them
Amen !!! Taxation of churches should have happened long ago.
I have always believed that churches should pay taxes. Does it make sense for the preacher/priest/rabbi etc go around with pricey cars, huge homes, and even private jets.
Tax the hell out of them!
I subscribe to the idea that those who benefit from tax-provided services should be paying their share of taxes. Bring back the separation of church and state.
Of course this also means mainline churches such as United Methodist, Disciples of Christ can also do this. And should. Especially when the theologically ignorant-but-fanatic claim the Sermon on the Mount is too ‘woke’ and ‘too political’.
This is what a corrupt Theocracy looks like and the continuing decimation of the Constitution. The whole point of people leaving England was when the King declared he was head of the church. They wanted a separation of Church and State. Megachurches should be taxed up the wazzoo because so many of the pastors have endorsed the Trump cult.
Agreed. But the reason shouldn't be because of one individual at one single point in time; it should be because they are collectively sham proxies created for the purpose of bilking people. They aren't even Christian, they're just wearing a threadbare skin of Christianity.
If Bernie Madoff had to pay taxes (and he did), so should they.
Dear Lord,
May the revenuer’s hammer fall heavily upon many Evangelical brows ⚒️
🙏So Mote it Be🙏
Amen! Tax the churches!
Hey- they do it anyway without impunity. In 2016 in a recorded talk to some retreatants, the retreat director at the local retreat center endorsed and promoted Assolini. It made me sick. I heard stories of priests from the pulpit telling parishioners that they had to vote for the party that protected life - They should definitely pay taxes.
Amen and then some. Flagpoles flying the American, Christian and Israeli flags look more like corporate headquarters than places to worship. Performative patriotism, wrapped up in Christianity is toxic. Synagogues and temples don’t do this. Their believers are more sure of themselves and their relationship with you, God.
That's because they are businesses. They sell comfort in an uncertain world.
And the more uncertain the world, the more profit. We've seen that since the Romans took over the Christian churches in the mid-First Millennium. X-P
I have seen the IRS take away tax exempt status, and should have seen so many more. I fully agree that churches should be taxed, UNLESS they begin to move back into the roll of the social safety net for the poor and disadvantaged in this country. This I say as an active interim minister of a progressive denomination.
Only if the social help is a very large part of their outgoing funding. I see too many Evangelical churches do a bare minimum and trumpet about it. 🙄 Didn't the guy they claim to follow have something to say about broadcasting your prayers and good works in public? 🤔
I agree with you completely, R.B,, completely. In my capacity, I regularly remind those under my care that speech without actions is empty and unfaithful, that our faith calls us to SHOW our faith more than YELL or BROADCAST our voices. And you are correct in your paraphrase of Jesus' teaching about public acts for the sake of publicity. From your lips to their ears!
I always believed that no pastor should live a lifestyle above that lived by his congregants. I have no problem with a humble and non-political church not paying taxes if their monies truly go to the community and not into the leadership wealth.
But, once they start campaigning from the pulpit, or living above the fiscal level of the majority of their members, then tax them like any other business. Because at that point, that is what they are.
And as a side note - if the IRS is allowing this now, I want to see my favorite pastors doing it too. Favorite meaning those who aren’t bigoted racist greedy assholes - you know - the ones who preach love, grace, community and did I mention love?
Churches have always been about mind control. It is their shtick, indoctrination from birth. The churches in this area were politically involved before the last election. Whether it was stooping for Trump or rallying against women's rights, they were doing it. These people walk around with a superiority complex while they prop up the worst of humanity... it's not difficult to see why.
They should have always been paying taxes. Always.
Most churches/religions are about men controlling women and all of the living world. They are built on the assumptions that 1) god is an all-male club, with him as the king, 2) the minds of all, especially women, have to be cleansed of all beliefs and actions that are not in accord with the religious 'truth,' 3) people must obey in all things if they do not wish to reside in hell for all eternity. And let us not forget this little bit of religious mind-fuck. If you are one of those loved by God, 'he' shows it by making you rich. Remember the bit about the camel, the needles eye and rich guys? Well, just forget about it. Gold, in all forms, is the true measure of God's love. Not OUR God...the one who, with Kiddo, writes this blog. I'm talking about the false god that far too many believe in.
Absolutely. These days, God is Gold with the L for lies hidden.
"You're /poor/? Ooh, you MUST be a /bad person/. God doesn't love /you/, obs...well, my preacher told that to me last Sunday, so it must be true, right? :D"
And here I thought Protestantism, especially the whole "let's translate the Bible into vernacular languages ["And put my name on it and make me look good! :D" --King James I] so we can /read it for ourselves/" bit, wasn't supposed to be that judgemental...ha! :-/
This, of course, opens the door for ALL non-profits to sue and get the same benefits. It is like a non-profit version of Citizens United. Magats will be opening up non-profits every day to get the benefits of a no-tax political organization. They may even call themselves a "church". God, get your lightning bolts ready! Thank you, God! Amen! Awomen! Ramen!
Liked for the last three words!
Amen! 💙🙏
Yes!
Yes, Churches SHOULD pay taxes, especially if they keep playing politics!
I've said for years now that we should tax churches, but get them tax write-offs for their non-political charitable actions, like feeding the poor, providing hospices, building hospitals.
That's a way to keep the money to where it SHOULD be going....
You mean, having Christian churches acting...gasp!...CHRISTIAN?! =8-0
I know!
Shocking, ain't it?