A Note on Tax Exemptions for Churches

[marylandblue]

86. You said a lot of things. You also said a lot of things you didn't make up.

Last edited Thu Sep 13, 2018, 08:43 AM - Edit history (2)

You said other things that indicate you don't know how your landlord sets your rent or how government sets the tax rate. You also said a lot of things about constitutional law that appear to be correct, at least insofar as such related cases have come before the court at particular times. You even said a few things I agree with, but you haven't bothered to comment on those, so I'll just assume that points of agreement are of no interest to you.

But what you didn't say (at least I don't think you said), and what you seem to have a really hard time understanding, is that the religious tax exemption creates a cost burden to the community that is borne by other taxpayers. I promise you I did not make that up. Really I didn't. You can literally take that one to the bank.

You've obviously studied constitutional law, and that's commendable. But you really need to take some classes in finance and public policy. Because if you did those things, you might have a better argument for why Joel Osteen really SHOULD live in a tax free mansion even if it means the City of Houston has fewer homeless shelters. Alternatively, you might feel a little less comfortable about where your rent dollar actually goes.

On Edit: When I use the word "should" above I don't mean "what settled constitutional law says," I mean "what is best for the community." The two things may be, on occasion, different.