"We assert that any form of taxation on churches and other religious organizations is a direct and dangerous step toward state control of the church. Such intrusion is prohibited by the Constitution and must be halted."
Do you agree with the statement?
Does the constitution prohibit any level of govt taxing churches
Should churches pay property, income, sales tax?
Why or why not?
Extra credit
Who determines what a church is?
Suppose 10 people get together and just call themselves a church for the purpose of taxes?
Yes. Property taxes are used to build/maintain infrastructure such as streets, water/sewer systems and to fund police and fire departments. When you call 911 the police/fire department responds. Why should churches not contribute to that service.
No. Churches don't have incomes. That is what "non-profit" means. :)
Yes. Sales taxes help support local, county and state government.
The people. The constitution specifically forbids the government from establishing a religion or church. If they want to call themselves a church they may.
Fine with me as long as it is applied to all social and other theoretical non-profit organizations, temples, ashrams, mosques, sacrificial chickens (Rastafarians SP?) Boy Scouts, Little League, YMCA . . . .
>Who determines what a church is?
In the US, "Church," like "African-American" and "Hispanic," is a self-identification.
Note: in Syracuse, there is a provision that if a church is not used for religious purposes for one year, than it is subject to go on the tax rolls.
In the past few years, several RC churches have closed - and are being put on the tax roll.
I've always thought churches should pay property taxes.
There used to be an oriental cult group in Denver that owned a city block in downtown with a huge high rise with shops etc below - all non-profit due to the tiny prayer room on the first floor called a church.
What does paying property taxes have to do with establishing a government church?
If a Church was to buy a condo unit should the church be exempt from paying condo dues? I don't understand why Republicans and Libertarians think property taxes are evil but condo dues are good.
Jesus is the head of the body. The church is the body. We are the church. The body follows the head. Jesus walked on water. The church should walk on water.
No. In fact, NO ONE should pay property taxes. Taxing something that you have already paid for, is an egregious government control, that essentially turns you into a renter. You should not have to pay for something you already own.
No. Churches are non-profit, and thus do not have income. Moreover, it is a direct violation of the first amendment, as courts have already found.
No. Taxing churches violates the first amendment. Moreover, churches contribute FAR MORE than any sales tax, through benevolence, etc.
That would be fine. As long as it was not a for-profit situation.
Perhaps I have missed something, but I've read only why it would or wouldn't be bad for churches to be taxed.
To those who would that churches be burdened in this way, I ask you why you think it would be good to tax them.