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by Searchingtoo from Grain Valley

Last Post 158 days, 8 hours Ago


Why are Churches Tax Exempt?
Nov 15, 2008 | 11:44 PM
Category: News
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If in fact the government will make no laws in respect to religion, then why are churches on the law as tax exempt?

They will be able to write of f anything that is donated to charities, or used for charitable expenses.. just like anybody else.The utilities, building, payroll expenses, pamphlets they hand out, all would be an expense of doing business.

Do  ministers pay taxes? It is a salary and they go to work like everyone else.

Is a house given to a minister, considered as part of his pay? Or does he pay Capital gains on it? Or at the very least does the church pay gift tax?

If a church is truly blessed, wont God provide plenty of money to give unto God what is God's and give unto Ceasar, what is Ceasar's?

Why did this practice begin? If they werent tax exempt, then they could feel free to have all the same freedoms of speech as everyone else. And if the speech was blessed, wouldnt God make sure they they had all the money that they needed to do his work?

Just curious....

 

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Member Comments Total Comments: 8
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vision read my blog
Nov 16, 2008 | 1:07 AM

How to start a church, ha ha ha, give your 10% and 90% back.

http://www.startchurch.com/?gclid=CL2Vos-D-ZYCFRIMDQodh
SJpXw

All in fun, but it is nice to go to a well organized church.
DogJ read my blog
Nov 16, 2008 | 8:08 AM

"If in fact the government will make no laws in respect to religion, then why are churches on the law as tax exempt?" - searching

Is a law to exempt an entity from a law (taxes) really a law with respect to that entity? Just a question to be pondered.
Jordan read my blog
Nov 16, 2008 | 10:28 AM

Part of the reason churches became tax exempt is due to their charitable work. In times past it was churches that provided for the needy, not the government. Churches operated orphanages, food kitchens and shelters, etc. Giving them tax-exempt status helped defray some of the cost of their charitable works. Secondly, in keeping with the separation between church and state, it was believed that if churches paid taxes they would, like any other taxpayer, have a say in government. The larger, more wealthy the church, the more influence it would have. Tax-exempt status also gives the government a hammer to hold over the head of churches to keep them out of the political process. It obviously hasn’t worked very well because religious groups have gained substantial political influence and even though they may not pay taxes, they still have influence over their followers who are voters.
wood-cutter read my blog view my photos
Nov 16, 2008 | 12:04 PM

It works much like a "non-profit" oranization.
Searchingtoo read my blog view my photos
Nov 17, 2008 | 7:38 AM

Good Point Jdog

Jordan good answer. but even with their tax exempt status they still have that pull... so why not tax them?
jpbikerfreak read my blog view my photos
Nov 17, 2008 | 9:29 AM

I've been complaining about this for a long time searching.

The IRS determines whether or not your religion is legitimate.

Who do you think raided the WACO compound? The ATF, remember?

You know who they work for? The treasury department, that's who.

Of course it was allegedly for weapons violations, but still my point is the IRS has its own private army. And it will use that army to steal your money literally at gunpoint if necessary.

And if your church takes any political stance, they'll take away your 501(c)(3) status, and you congreation will disappear.

The power to tax is the power to destroy.
purdygirl read my blog view my photos
Nov 17, 2008 | 11:21 AM

Jordan took the workds right out of my fingers!!
redvannie
Nov 18, 2008 | 10:42 AM

Yes, ministers pay income taxes on their salaries. In fact, most pay self-employment tax, which means that they pay also the part that a company would pay toward Social security taxes, meaning they pay twice as much as an employee of a company. And yes, if there is a parsonage involved, they have to pay taxes on the fair market value of renting that home. Considering that the average church has around 100 members (don't judge by the megachurches you see), pastors as a whole earn much less than people with the same amount of education in other areas of work.
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Searchingtoo

I have been a long time blogger. I will stand up for things that I dont like.. but mostly just like to debate and have a good time talking with other bloggers.

Member Since: 2/20/2008


 

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