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Prophet 451

(9,796 posts) Sat Nov 22, 2014, 09:51 PM Nov 2014

Should Churches Be Taxed? [View all]

So I finally got Star membership and thought I'd celebrate by uploading my own avatar (same one use on everything) and creating my first poll in ages.

Simple question: Should churches be taxed?

88 votes, 1 pass \| Time left: Unlimited
	Yes
	60 (68%)
	No
	14 (16%)
	Yes, but exempt their charitable actions (i.e. soup kitchens)
	13 (15%)
	I like clicking things
	1 (1%)
	1 DU member did not wish to select any of the options provided.
Show usernames Disclaimer: This is an Internet poll

159 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

Should Churches Be Taxed? [View all] Prophet 451 Nov 2014 OP

Hell, yes! QuebecYank Nov 2014 #1

Does that call for them ALL to be taxed though? Prophet 451 Nov 2014 #2

Churches can play politics. Just can't endorse or oppose individual candidates. joeglow3 Nov 2014 #16

Tax 'Em All!!! QuebecYank Nov 2014 #30

Rather a broad bursh, I think Prophet 451 Nov 2014 #40

Wait Munificence Nov 2014 #77

Keep the government out of churches and synogogues Emelina Nov 2014 #75

I think a lot depends on the church and what percentage of its holdings go to charity Wella Nov 2014 #3

What would you consider an acceptable percentage? Prophet 451 Nov 2014 #4

Not totally sure. I'd have to have more info on general operating expenses Wella Nov 2014 #5

That's fair enough Prophet 451 Nov 2014 #6

I saw that, but it leaves out education Wella Nov 2014 #8

I can't get Biblical about it Prophet 451 Nov 2014 #12

Fair enough. Wella Nov 2014 #14

Anyone paid a salary is taxed already TexasMommaWithAHat Nov 2014 #90

Tithes generally Prophet 451 Nov 2014 #94

I meant from a "moral" perspective TexasMommaWithAHat Nov 2014 #95

Option three is not a good option, because that is the status quo. cbayer Nov 2014 #124

Being British, I didn't know how US tax law works. Prophet 451 Nov 2014 #143

See #122 for an overview. cbayer Nov 2014 #146

Well, that's good because that is what happens currently. cbayer Nov 2014 #123

Churches are usually tax exempt because they are non-profit. branford Nov 2014 #7

I was under the impression that was already the law Prophet 451 Nov 2014 #10

The area of law is a little wobbly, and not my personal area of expertise. branford Nov 2014 #17

Sure but... Prophet 451 Nov 2014 #21

As I said, mutually assured destruction. branford Nov 2014 #23

Non-profit does not mean tax exempt Major Nikon Nov 2014 #68

+1 TexasMommaWithAHat Nov 2014 #91

This is the right answer. I'm glad you get it. cbayer Nov 2014 #125

Churches shouldn't even be legal Niko Nov 2014 #9

And that's just extremist nonsense n/t Prophet 451 Nov 2014 #11

Want to know what's extremist? Niko Nov 2014 #15

Yes, yes, you've fulfilled your proselytizing quota Prophet 451 Nov 2014 #18

Atheists can't proselytize Niko Nov 2014 #34

Bullshit Prophet 451 Nov 2014 #37

I agree with you. I went and googled and I was shocked at the number of articles MADem Nov 2014 #52

It's actually not all that common Prophet 451 Nov 2014 #53

The trend towards atheism as a faith is growing, as well. MADem Nov 2014 #55

Atheism isn't a faith Prophet 451 Nov 2014 #56

That's not really true as a legal matter. branford Nov 2014 #60

So then faiths without supreme beings wouldn't be regarded as faiths, either...? MADem Nov 2014 #61

Only some atheists believe Prophet 451 Nov 2014 #88

I dunno.... MADem Nov 2014 #93

It's rare that someone will try to prove the negative.... Oktober Nov 2014 #62

It's not rare for people to try to prove so-called "negatives". stone space Nov 2014 #80

And yet Prophet 451 Nov 2014 #87

So you pretty much agree with me then Niko Nov 2014 #65

You are proselytizing Prophet 451 Nov 2014 #86

Is it OK for Democrats to "proselytize"? trotsky Nov 2014 #107

And your point is? Prophet 451 Nov 2014 #108

Republicans have made it quite clear they aren't interested in our point of view. trotsky Nov 2014 #109

Yes, Republicans have made that clear Prophet 451 Nov 2014 #110

That's a very broad brush. trotsky Nov 2014 #111

You do love playing the martyr don't you? nt el_bryanto Nov 2014 #131

I see no need to make this personal, el_bryanto. trotsky Nov 2014 #132

I'm not making it personal el_bryanto Nov 2014 #138

Actually, yes, you did. trotsky Nov 2014 #141

Don't take the bait, trotsky. I am not proselytizing Niko Nov 2014 #147

Well there is one linking belief el_bryanto Nov 2014 #148

They're committing fraud Niko Nov 2014 #150

Nods - so if someone says to you "I think Moby is the best electronica act of the 1990s" el_bryanto Nov 2014 #151

You give normal atheists with a shred of humanity a bad name. Maedhros Nov 2014 #137

It's all about salvation, Prophet. cbayer Nov 2014 #127

Yes yes... We've all read it... Oktober Nov 2014 #59

+1 sarcasmo Nov 2014 #81

Well, you are certainly free to advocate changing the First Amendment branford Nov 2014 #20

Does the First Amendment cover outright fraud? Niko Nov 2014 #29

Faith is not legally fraud. branford Nov 2014 #32

And I'm saying it should be Niko Nov 2014 #35

First, I never said all religions are always positive. branford Nov 2014 #38

So you basically don't believe in the bill of rights or religious freedom? hrmjustin Nov 2014 #74

It's FRAUD Niko Nov 2014 #82

So to be clear do you think churches should have the right to exist? hrmjustin Nov 2014 #83

Post removed Post removed Nov 2014 #106

Yeah!! Let's outlaw churches, that's the ticket. cbayer Nov 2014 #126

Welcome to DU. Hey I paid $6.99 for an album on I-Tunes yesterday - el_bryanto Nov 2014 #130

Did you get what you paid for? Niko Nov 2014 #149

I do get what I want out of my faith - a closer connection to God. el_bryanto Nov 2014 #152

What would you replace them with? ismnotwasm Nov 2014 #134

I think we would need a new federal agency, branford Nov 2014 #140

A church, as a congregation that truly does God's work, should not be taxed. flvegan Nov 2014 #13

Define "doing God's work" Prophet 451 Nov 2014 #19

I've been repeatedly told on television that God = America. branford Nov 2014 #22

That's Republianity for you Prophet 451 Nov 2014 #25

Acting selflessly. flvegan Nov 2014 #24

Only if you feel the need to Prophet 451 Nov 2014 #26

I don't feel that I need to. flvegan Nov 2014 #28

I think everyone knew what you meant, i.e., engaging in true and selfless charity. branford Nov 2014 #27

The god of the Bible is a selfish, psychotic dickhead, though. Arugula Latte Nov 2014 #136

I'm a believing Jew, but George Carlin's bit about a mean but loving God was fantastic. branford Nov 2014 #139

God (pun intended) I miss George Carlin. Arugula Latte Nov 2014 #142

No arguement there Prophet 451 Nov 2014 #158

Ask him to send down a list and I'll see if I agree.... Oktober Nov 2014 #63

Ahhhh, there is no God. Nt Logical Nov 2014 #97

Tased? Hell yeah! Droning Predator Nov 2014 #31

Gave me a heart attack there Prophet 451 Nov 2014 #33

If they would keep their preaching in the pulpit and quit telling people how to vote, Jamastiene Nov 2014 #36

I'm sorry you experienced that Prophet 451 Nov 2014 #39

The First Amendment clearly would prohibit a crime of hate speech. branford Nov 2014 #45

There's a church where I live... Initech Nov 2014 #41

What were they going to do with it? Prophet 451 Nov 2014 #42

No they were turning it into a new facility for their church. Initech Nov 2014 #43

Then tax them, I agree Prophet 451 Nov 2014 #44

Why? branford Nov 2014 #46

I know that Prophet 451 Nov 2014 #49

Why should a big church be treated differently than one that is small. branford Nov 2014 #58

Yes. They are profit making businesses. Tierra_y_Libertad Nov 2014 #47

Some are, sure Prophet 451 Nov 2014 #48

As are other businesses and corporations. Tierra_y_Libertad Nov 2014 #54

Absolutely. BeanMusical Nov 2014 #50

Yes but exempt their charitable outreach activities so long as they are offered to ALL MADem Nov 2014 #51

They need to be treated as any other non-profit. Nothing else is constitutional. pnwmom Nov 2014 #57

They should be treated like other non-profits. NancyDL Nov 2014 #64

Does this include other houses of worship? hrmjustin Nov 2014 #66

Yes, I was using "church" in the general sense n/t Prophet 451 Nov 2014 #144

Yes (nt) bigwillq Nov 2014 #67

If you tax churches and other houses of worship then you open up the possibility they can hrmjustin Nov 2014 #69

They already are with a nudge, wink and outright proclamations in some cases. Lars39 Nov 2014 #70

True but if they do it from the pulpit it might have more force. hrmjustin Nov 2014 #71

And I have no doubt at all that is already happening. Lars39 Nov 2014 #72

Yes but there should be consequences to them for breaking the law. hrmjustin Nov 2014 #73

Yes. LWolf Nov 2014 #76

I was thinking of exempting charitable activities truebluegreen Nov 2014 #78

I think religious organizations should be taxed if they publicly state political opinions, --- northoftheborder Nov 2014 #79

Churches are already taxed for "non-church" activities. branford Nov 2014 #84

Of course they should SoCalDem Nov 2014 #85

Why should they be taxed? TexasMommaWithAHat Nov 2014 #89

Well, Prophet 451 Nov 2014 #92

Their pastor pays taxes on his salary TexasMommaWithAHat Nov 2014 #96

Nice Avatar! ScreamingMeemie Nov 2014 #98

Thanks dude! Prophet 451 Nov 2014 #99

Yes davidpdx Nov 2014 #100

I think the tax structure should encourage good works. Notafraidtoo Nov 2014 #101

It's a bit different here (UK) Prophet 451 Nov 2014 #103

This would help me break tithing to our church. ileus Nov 2014 #102

Yes, as regular income demwing Nov 2014 #104

"regular income"? Prophet 451 Nov 2014 #105

The black church a few blocks away from me Calista241 Nov 2014 #112

Yes ProfessorGAC Nov 2014 #113

I'm British Prophet 451 Nov 2014 #114

Was Not A Criticism Proph! ProfessorGAC Nov 2014 #116

Sorry, my misunderstanding Prophet 451 Nov 2014 #118

No Apology Needed ProfessorGAC Nov 2014 #121

I am with Frank Zappa hifiguy Nov 2014 #115

Don't know any Frank Zappa Prophet 451 Nov 2014 #117

Yes. If one is operating properly, it will pay no taxes anyway. Xithras Nov 2014 #119

The argument, as I understand it... Prophet 451 Nov 2014 #120

The lack of understanding on this subject and the emotionally based responses are embarrassing. cbayer Nov 2014 #122

yes. too many churches are little more than tax-exempt republicans headquarters... spanone Nov 2014 #128

If churches are truly non profit I would say no upaloopa Nov 2014 #129

Priests, ministers, rabbis, imams, and all other types of religious leaders, officials and employees branford Nov 2014 #133

Of course. (n/t) Iggo Nov 2014 #135

Yes and start with the Mormon church. savalez Nov 2014 #145

Yes, but there are churches that are hurting right now. louis-t Nov 2014 #153

The government should treat certain churches differently than others, including tax preferences? branford Nov 2014 #155

That's what I'm saying. Progressive tax, but why does it have to be all non-profits? louis-t Nov 2014 #156

Churches are tax-exempt under the same tax code provisions as other nonprofits and charities, branford Nov 2014 #157

Tax churches in the same way we tax people......or should tax people. PDJane Nov 2014 #154

No. n/t SylviaD Nov 2014 #159