Churches should be tax liable anyway, regardless of whether they tell you how to vote. Why are they exempt, but other businesses aren’t? Or rather, why are other business tax liable when churches aren’t?
Yes, and they are held to certain standards and have reporting requirements. Churches do not have to do anything except declare they are a church. No standards, no reporting. They can just count their profits.
This is anecdotal but I sat on a small church board as I was heading out of religion and from what I saw the majority of them couldn’t keep the lights on. We had to partner with one of those interfaith groups just to do collective bargaining on stuff like insurance. So many of the religious temples/churches in the area were just like a dozen elderly people.
I point out to some people just because a church is small and poor doesn’t mean it does good work it just means it is small and poor.
If only we could come up with some sorta department of parks and recreations that could provide activities to seniors. Nah too crazy.
Wednesday gathering. Mine did it. Umm kinda like an after school program. My most distinct memory of it is the ping pong balls would keep on vanishing so it would be just a table.
Technically you’re right, but that example (moses and the others in the wild) is from the old testament which doesn’t even apply to Christians. Christians are only to follow the new testament.
Technically you’re right, but that example (moses and the others in the wild) is from the old testament which doesn’t even apply to Christians. Christians are only to follow the new testament.
Didn’t jesus say that he did not come abolish the law of the prophets (aka the old testament)?
See that’s kind of the thing right? The bible does a lot of back and forth on this shit where the old testament matters one second and then it doesn’t the next, but that’s aside the point.
Jesus himself did say this, but god rid many of the rules before that as well, so technically that would mean they would be the law of the prophets as well.
One big change for instance is the requirement of a sacrifice to worship god, yet this was changed in the new testament with the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Yes, some laws before apply such as the ten commandments, but those are also a part of the new testament, they can have overlap.
Right? Talk about privilege and special rights! I don’t get why these megachurches have these millionaire pastors flying around in private jets and nobody bats an eye. Right, Joel Olsteens?
Ngl I’m not against churches in general because I’ve found a lot of peace there when life was rough, so even if I was an atheist I would still support non-hateful churches.
But megachurches with rich pastors that constantly brag about how God wants them to be wealthy? No. No. No. “It is an abomination” - Butt-Head voice.
*this is not an opinion just an objective explanation based on the information I have
The reason that churches aren’t taxed, legally, is because the US constitution states, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion”
There are disagreements about whether taxing everyone including churches counts as a “law respecting an establishment of religion” but that is the current state of affairs.
*this is an opinion, though more of a speculative one
The reason, I believe, that the law mentioned in this post isn’t enforced, is because if the did the supreme Court would likely through the case and the law out as a result, for being unconstitutional, as it is unarguably a “law respecting an establishment of religion.”
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion
Federal tax law in the US is made by Congress (see Religious Freedom Restoration Act of 1993) and enforcement is delegated by Congress.
The RFRA of '93 respects establishments of religion for taxes and other purposes; it makes exceptions specifically for religious organizations. The Constitution means nothing.
Churches should be tax liable anyway, regardless of whether they tell you how to vote. Why are they exempt, but other businesses aren’t? Or rather, why are other business tax liable when churches aren’t?
aren’t most non-profits free from taxation?
Yes, and they are held to certain standards and have reporting requirements. Churches do not have to do anything except declare they are a church. No standards, no reporting. They can just count their profits.
But are all churches really non-profit?
I’d settle for a church that’s non-prophet.
Lmao.
I would argue the absolute majority of them aren’t, yeah
This is anecdotal but I sat on a small church board as I was heading out of religion and from what I saw the majority of them couldn’t keep the lights on. We had to partner with one of those interfaith groups just to do collective bargaining on stuff like insurance. So many of the religious temples/churches in the area were just like a dozen elderly people.
I point out to some people just because a church is small and poor doesn’t mean it does good work it just means it is small and poor.
If only we could come up with some sorta department of parks and recreations that could provide activities to seniors. Nah too crazy.
I’m personally very jaded of all religion, but especially southern Bible belt style. Thanks for sharing your experience on the matter!
God created everything right?
God doesn’t need money then.
God doesn’t but the pastor has to eat presumably.
Maybe the pastor should get a job working every day but Wednesday and Sunday?
Sounds like the landlord issue to me.
What’s happening on Wednesday?
A lot of churches have small group gatherings, youth church, or other similar events on Wednesdays, while the main service is on Sundays.
Thanks.
It’s when they groom the kids. Oops I mean youth group.
Wednesday gathering. Mine did it. Umm kinda like an after school program. My most distinct memory of it is the ping pong balls would keep on vanishing so it would be just a table.
God will provide, I’m sure.
Technically you’re right, but that example (moses and the others in the wild) is from the old testament which doesn’t even apply to Christians. Christians are only to follow the new testament.
Didn’t jesus say that he did not come abolish the law of the prophets (aka the old testament)?
See that’s kind of the thing right? The bible does a lot of back and forth on this shit where the old testament matters one second and then it doesn’t the next, but that’s aside the point.
Jesus himself did say this, but god rid many of the rules before that as well, so technically that would mean they would be the law of the prophets as well.
One big change for instance is the requirement of a sacrifice to worship god, yet this was changed in the new testament with the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Yes, some laws before apply such as the ten commandments, but those are also a part of the new testament, they can have overlap.
So what you’re saying is that it’s all a bunch of nonsense.
Why doesn’t God just rain manna on the priest like the old days?
Old testament doesn’t apply to Christians
Budget cuts. Try next heaven business quarter.
I’m confused now. So if the money goes to God, and God has to eat flesh, then…
So many questions…
Pastors must eat extremely well
Render into Caeser that which is Caeser’s, after all.
Right? Talk about privilege and special rights! I don’t get why these megachurches have these millionaire pastors flying around in private jets and nobody bats an eye. Right, Joel Olsteens?
Ngl I’m not against churches in general because I’ve found a lot of peace there when life was rough, so even if I was an atheist I would still support non-hateful churches.
But megachurches with rich pastors that constantly brag about how God wants them to be wealthy? No. No. No. “It is an abomination” - Butt-Head voice.
Even if they give people comfort they should be taxed. Same as prostitutes. I guess they don’t usually pay tax either 🤷♀️
*this is not an opinion just an objective explanation based on the information I have
The reason that churches aren’t taxed, legally, is because the US constitution states, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion” There are disagreements about whether taxing everyone including churches counts as a “law respecting an establishment of religion” but that is the current state of affairs.
*this is an opinion, though more of a speculative one
The reason, I believe, that the law mentioned in this post isn’t enforced, is because if the did the supreme Court would likely through the case and the law out as a result, for being unconstitutional, as it is unarguably a “law respecting an establishment of religion.”
Federal tax law in the US is made by Congress (see Religious Freedom Restoration Act of 1993) and enforcement is delegated by Congress.
The RFRA of '93 respects establishments of religion for taxes and other purposes; it makes exceptions specifically for religious organizations. The Constitution means nothing.