Churches and Taxes

[Randy]

Should churches (defined as churches, temples, mosques, synagogues, etc.) remain tax-exempt? Why or why not?

 

[DrLeftover]

Add to it the various "Charities" and "Non-Profit" groups, some of which maintain extravagant office complexes and also do not pay taxes at all, or pay a dramatically reduced rate... and you've got yourself an issue.

 

[Webster]

Should churches (defined as churches, temples, mosques, synagogues, etc.) remain tax-exempt? Why or why not?

If you want to step into the political arena (as many churches and Christian leaders on the Right seem to love doing), then give up your tax-exemptions...otherwise, stay the hell out of the public sphere.

 

[DrLeftover]

Should churches (defined as churches, temples, mosques, synagogues, etc.) remain tax-exempt? Why or why not?

If you want to step into the political arena (as many churches and Christian leaders on the Right seem to love doing), then give up your tax-exemptions...otherwise, stay the hell out of the public sphere.

And on that we are going to disagree. Not about the Right, but about the Left.

How many Democratic Presidential Candidates, and /or their operatives have been to Black Church Services during their run, and how many Black Preachers speak in their favor from the pulpit?

For instance:

Bill Clinton to make black church tour Sunday

February 2nd, 2008

Former President Bill Clinton will visit black churches in LA this Sunday.

(CNN) – In the run-up to Super Tuesday, former President Bill Clinton is planning a tour of African-American churches this Sunday in Los Angeles. A prominent elected official who will be joining him has described it as Clinton’s 'mea culpa tour' to the black community.

The former president set off a firestorm of criticism for comments he made during the South Carolina primary, comments which were widely interpreted as racially insensitive. He’s adamantly denied he was playing racial politics. Exit polls show President Clinton’s seemingly aggressive campaigning may have contributed to the stunning defeat his wife Hillary Clinton suffered in the primary there.

http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2008/02/02/bill-clinton-to-make-black-church-tour-sunday/

 

[Webster]

I got no problem with politicos' going to churches and talking about the issues of the day, Doc...what I do have a problem with is when the pastors actively campaign outside the walls of the church; that's where I have a problem.

 

[DrLeftover]

I got no problem with politicos' going to churches and talking about the issues of the day, Doc...what I do have a problem with is when the pastors actively campaign outside the walls of the church; that's where I have a problem.

Any "Pastor"?

 

[Ellie1142545]

Should churches (defined as churches, temples, mosques, synagogues, etc.) remain tax-exempt? Why or why not?

If you want to step into the political arena (as many churches and Christian leaders on the Right seem to love doing), then give up your tax-exemptions...otherwise, stay the hell out of the public sphere.

And on that we are going to disagree. Not about the Right, but about the Left.

How many Democratic Presidential Candidates, and /or their operatives have been to Black Church Services during their run, and how many Black Preachers speak in their favor from the pulpit?

For instance:

Bill Clinton to make black church tour Sunday

February 2nd, 2008

Former President Bill Clinton will visit black churches in LA this Sunday.

(CNN) – In the run-up to Super Tuesday, former President Bill Clinton is planning a tour of African-American churches this Sunday in Los Angeles. A prominent elected official who will be joining him has described it as Clinton’s 'mea culpa tour' to the black community.

The former president set off a firestorm of criticism for comments he made during the South Carolina primary, comments which were widely interpreted as racially insensitive. He’s adamantly denied he was playing racial politics. Exit polls show President Clinton’s seemingly aggressive campaigning may have contributed to the stunning defeat his wife Hillary Clinton suffered in the primary there.

http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2008/02/02/bill-clinton-to-make-black-church-tour-sunday/

I was going to say Bill Clinton, but you beat me to it.....He wanted the votes to get him back into office.....And now that he's out of office? Who knows.....

 

[Ellie1142545]

Not all Churches are Tax-Exempt...Although I must admit, that those Minister's that are on television, should be paying taxes.....Why do you think they're on television in the first place?

If you listen long enough, you'll know.....They're there to get people to send them donations.

For instance, Benny Hinn..."If you want us to remain on the air, you must send us donations, we need money to keep this program up and running." Or something on that order....Yeah, they need money all right....To line their pockets.....Do you notice their fancy suits? Watches? Cars? Homes? They are serving Money, not God......And they should be paying taxes, but aren't.....

And yet, there are Churches, where the Ministers are not really known, they're Ministering to the people about the Lord, directly from His Word, and yet, his Church may be one of those who has to pay taxes......It's up to the State, or City and County, as to which Churches pay taxes, and which ones don't....

 

[+paradox]

some people think tax exemptions of churches are forced hush money...

and rightly so...

 

[WHO IS SERAFIN]

I would much, much, much, much did I say much rather have something like a church providing charity for being tax exempt then I would want government being the freebie givers. It is much better for the government with limitations to make sure the church is being responsible with other peoples money then government being reckless with the peoples money and deciding where it goes. While with the church you can stop donating and decide to give to someone else if they are not meeting your expectations. With government they have you by a gun and you have no choice no matter how badly they handle the money.

 

[DrLeftover]

some people think tax exemptions of churches are forced hush money...

and rightly so...

I would love to see that explained.

"hush money"? For what?

 

[+paradox]

I would much, much, much, much did I say much rather have something like a church providing charity for being tax exempt then I would want government being the freebie givers. It is much better for the government with limitations to make sure the church is being responsible with other peoples money then government being reckless with the peoples money and deciding where it goes. While with the church you can stop donating and decide to give to someone else if they are not meeting your expectations. With government they have you by a gun and you have no choice no matter how badly they handle the money.

now now liberty...

in the felons voting rights debate thread i said thing aren't as generalized but more complicated, yet you claim it should be generalized, period... that was your excuse for not wanting any felons to have the right to vote...

but on the other hand, on freebies, you don't want to generalize everything up... you disagree with freebies and handouts so you should be against anyone or any business/organization receiving freebies, unless, of course you're just a hypocrite?

not all churches are charitable and not all churches are non-profit... but some how those churches and organizations have tax exemptions...


@doc...

“The federal government has proved a tremendous impediment to the ongoing work of Christians. In all the laws that they have passed against Christian schools, gagging the church, taxation, and all kinds of things that they have done, they have made it harder for the church to exercise its prerogatives and to preach the gospel.

"Take the last presidential election. There were numbers of things that I knew that I was never able to say from the pulpit because if you advance the cause of one candidate or impede the cause of the other you can lose your tax exemption. That would have been disastrous not only for the church, but for our school and our seminary, everything. So you are gagged. You cannot do that. The IRS, a branch of our government, has succeeded in gagging Christians."

http://hushmoney.org

http://hushmoney.org/501c3-myths.htm

 

[+paradox]

and on another note, do your own work if you disagree with the truth i speak...

i don't have the time or energy to keep "proving" every little thing i say...

 

[WHO IS SERAFIN]

I would much, much, much, much did I say much rather have something like a church providing charity for being tax exempt then I would want government being the freebie givers. It is much better for the government with limitations to make sure the church is being responsible with other peoples money then government being reckless with the peoples money and deciding where it goes. While with the church you can stop donating and decide to give to someone else if they are not meeting your expectations. With government they have you by a gun and you have no choice no matter how badly they handle the money.

now now liberty...

in the felons voting rights debate thread i said thing aren't as generalized but more complicated, yet you claim it should be generalized, period... that was your excuse for not wanting any felons to have the right to vote...


but on the other hand, on freebies, you don't want to generalize everything up... you disagree with freebies and handouts so you should be against anyone or any business/organization receiving freebies, unless, of course you're just a hypocrite?



not all churches are charitable and not all churches are non-profit... but some how those churches and organizations have tax exemptions...

Yes, yes I did and I stand with that opinion on felons.

I disagree with the federal government being the ones to hand out all the freebies. For a number of reasons besides being unconstitutional. And it gives government unprecedented power over the most unfortunate[/color] of people who might need a hand up instead of a handout.

Well I was pretty specific about the ones who are charitable.

 

[+paradox]

freebies or no freebies, you can't have it both ways, i'm afraid... (;

 

[+paradox]

Not all Churches are Tax-Exempt....

all churches are tax exempt by default...

if a tax exempt establishment does pay their exempt tax then it's on them not the government... i'm sure the government wouldn't deny them of the right to deny a tax exemption and pay the tax... not 100% sure on that though...

 

[WHO IS SERAFIN]

freebies or no freebies, you can't have it both ways, i'm afraid... (;

Sure I can. Under government control it is crack cocaine used for power and control.

Under charity through people and churches it is a LIMITED hand up so people can stay on there feet while looking to move forward with the lives instead of becoming lazy and completely dependent.

 

[+paradox]

i know that liberty...

look, the point went right over your head...

 

[WHO IS SERAFIN]

i know that liberty...

look, the point went right over your head...

I got the point just fine.

 

[Ellie1142545]

Not all Churches are Tax-Exempt....

all churches are tax exempt by default...

if a tax exempt establishment does pay their exempt tax then it's on them not the government... i'm sure the government wouldn't deny them of the right to deny a tax exemption and pay the tax... not 100% sure on that though...

Are you absolutely sure about what you say here? I ask, because I know for a fact, that some Churches do pay taxes.....Churches that are owned by a Private Party......And there are a lot of Churches that are owned by a person or persons, not associated with the running of the Church, but yet owns the building that services are held in......They pay the taxes.....