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Government regulation of Churches?

Government deal with churches?

  • Do nothing.

    Votes: 13 61.9%

  • Do everything - (some have built in Starbucks)

    Votes: 4 19.0%

  • Do something (specify)

    Votes: 4 19.0%

  • Don't know/care

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Total voters
    21
Wake

Wake

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Should churches be defunded? If I recall they believe, iirc, taxpayer money. Or do they pay no taxes?

Isn't it also true that churches, especially large churches, are run like businesses? Tax it. Iirc, I once saw a church worker bring a wheelbarrow down the aisle for tithes. This is true.

These pseudo-businesses require tithes up to 10%. Perhaps catholicism can be an exception because it's a donation system.

Do you think the government should regulate preaching, like monitoring for hate speech against homosexuals and prostitutes? Should churches be entirely defended? Taxed? Or the tithe system abolished?

Should they be dealt with?
 
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It's fine the way it is. I mean, they don't really pay taxes (well not property taxes anyway), not sure if clergy income is taxable or not. Maybe you can change one or two things in the tax code. But in terms of regulating preaching or monitoring for "hate speech". Hell ****ing no! Freedom of religion, if freedom of religion. And anyone can practice, preach, and believe any which way they want so long as they do not infringe upon the rights of others in the process. I may be a simple atheist, but the type of thought control suggested here would be enough to get me in arms. A person's religion is no business of the government. It can just mind it's own bees wax.
 
Churches are tax-exempt. They should not enjoy this privilege.
 
The government should not regulate what Churches say.

Nor anyone else or that matter.
 
Thousands of people are suckered into forming over millions of dollars. It's ludicrous that pastors work over the crowds and live lavishly. Ever noticed how a lot of "humble" pastors live? Expensive cars, clothes, suits?

Think about it.
 
Wake said:
Thousands of people are suckered into forming over millions of dollars. It's ludicrous that pastors work over the crowds and live lavishly. Ever noticed how a lot of "humble" pastors live? Expensive cars, clothes, suits?

Think about it.
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They aren't forcing anyone to give them money.

I believe churches should be tax exempt for one reason, and one reason only. So the government can't phase out an unpopular religion(or all religion) by taxing it to death.
 
Wake said:
Thousands of people are suckered into forming over millions of dollars. It's ludicrous that pastors work over the crowds and live lavishly. Ever noticed how a lot of "humble" pastors live? Expensive cars, clothes, suits?

Think about it.
Click to expand...

So what? That's not my problem. If people want to donate their money to their church, they are more than free to do so. If they want to believe in a particular religious doctrine, they are more than free to do so. It's their money, their choice, their business. It's not my business who spends money on what. So long as you are not infringing upon the rights of others, you should be free to do as you like. That's it.

I think one problem with America in general these days is that we have become incredible busybodies. We have to be in everyone's business. People must be free to choose for themselves, particularly along religious lines. It's necessary for a free state. The government should have as little to do with religion as possible. Now some people brought up taxes, and sure we could discuss that and figure out if it's right for these churches to enjoy the tax free status they've been granted. But I think that's as far as it can ever go. You can't tell people what to think, how to believe, and regulate that through government force.
 
Your Star said:
They aren't forcing anyone to give them money.

I believe churches should be tax exempt for one reason, and one reason only. So the government can't phase out an unpopular religion(or all religion) by taxing it to death.
Click to expand...

I say tax it like a business. That's basically what it is, in the service of providing faith based care for those so inclined to partake.
 
Your Star said:
The government should not regulate what Churches say.

Nor anyone else or that matter.
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Why shouldn't they, Your Star? It's trending in many other nations. Besides, it's hate speech and indoctrination. Let the government help teach the kids in the public schools.

We don't need churches anymore. We've clearly progressed further than you. NoW we wait for the others.
 
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tessaesque said:
I say tax it like a business. That's basically what it is, in the service of providing faith based care for those so inclined to partake.
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Like I said, giving the government that power would give them the ability to tax out unpopular religions. It's not worth it.
 
Wake said:
Why shouldn't they, Your Star? It's tending in many other nations. Besides, it's hate speech and indoctrination. Let the government help teach the kids in the public schools.

We don't need churches anymore. We've clearly progressed further than you. No we wait for the others.
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Some of us don't need churches anymore, and we've come to the point in which we will not be burned alive for saying so publicly. That's a good spot to be in. Hate speech and indoctrination are code words for thought control; which is what you're calling for. I will not authorize the government to perform thought control on a people. The People must be free to believe and express said beliefs as they want; so long as they do not infringe upon the rights of others in the process. That's the end all be all of it. If you tread away from that, towards a militant anti-theism campaign, you tread towards tyranny.
 
Your Star said:
Like I said, giving the government that power would give them the ability to tax out unpopular religions. It's not worth it.
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I don't think so. You tax based on the income. So what you pay is based on what you take in. It's fair across the board.
 
Wake said:
Why shouldn't they, Your Star? It's trending in many other nations. Besides, it's hate speech and indoctrination. Let the government help teach the kids in the public schools.

We don't need churches anymore. We've clearly progressed further than you. NoW we wait for the others.
Click to expand...

We have a thing called the 1st Amendment I am quite fond of. I strongly believe in the marketplace of ideas.
 
tessaesque said:
I don't think so. You tax based on the income. So what you pay is based on what you take in. It's fair across the board.
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And with the amount of loopholes being able to be written in to the tax code favoring one religion over the other, it's too dangerous IMO.
 
Most pastors do not live lavish lifestyles. Our pastors live at a standard no different than the rest of the community. And I would know, since I vote on their salary every year as a part of the congregational vote on the church budget. There are some hucksters out there, but most are humble dedicated servants of God.

If someone is dumb enough willingly fork over large amounts of cash to a charlatan, that is their own problem (assuming said charlatan isn't breaking any existing laws). As for tithes, while the Bible does call for them, they are voluntary. Most churches don't have a tithe police auditing your records to make sure you're giving the full 10%. Churches are tax exempt because they are considered a charity. Most churches I know are involved in various charity works in the community.

And as for expanding hate speech laws to monitor the doctrine taught in churches, no thanks! Hate speech laws we have now are ridiculous. Expanding them to infringe upon another cherished liberty - freedom of religion - is a horrid idea. If you disagree with what is being taught in a specifc church, feel free to offer a counter opinion.
 
tessaesque said:
I don't think so. You tax based on the income. So what you pay is based on what you take in. It's fair across the board.
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It can be done, but I do think you have to be careful in what you allow the government to do. Your Star does bring forth valid concern and it would have to be addressed if we started considering taxing religion. I'd rather accept it as a consequence of freedom and be done with it as there are much bigger fish to fry right now. If we ever got to the point where taxation of religions became a high priority concern, we will be sitting pretty.
 
Your Star said:
The government should not regulate what Churches say.

Nor anyone else or that matter.
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The government does regulate one thing the churches say. They are not allowed to endorse political candidates.
 
Your Star said:
And with the amount of loopholes being able to be written in to the tax code favoring one religion over the other, it's too dangerous IMO.
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I don't really see the danger. There would be a fight to end all fights if some religion felt targeted or oppressed by the taxes. Simply don't write legislation with loopholes. "All religious institutions, upon registration as such, shall submit 10% of their total gross receipts in taxes on a yearly basis".
 
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winston53660 said:
The government does regulate one thing the churches say. They are not allowed to endorse political candidates.
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There is an exception to every rule, this I agree with, keep the church, and state separate.
 
tessaesque said:
I don't really see the danger. There would be a fight to end all fights if some religion felt targeted or oppressed by the taxes. Simply don't write legislation with loopholes. "All religious institutions, upon registration as such, shall submit 10% of their total gross receipts in taxes on a yearly basis".
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You know the tax code can never be that simple ;)
 
winston53660 said:
The government does regulate one thing the churches say. They are not allowed to endorse political candidates.
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As I understand it, churches can endorse candidates, but it costs them tax exempt status.
 
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