Seriously consider before voting

Dion said:

I moved from a small city ...there were 4 mega churches that were like country clubs and use money for cruises and country club settings yet they do some charitable work as well ...

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They hardly represent the majority, be real. Most churches are small in size (Around 75 members).

Alot of those mega churches do above and beyond what any of us do for charity, btw.

Cephus said:

I think churches should be tax exempt only so far as their demonstrable charitable work. That ought not include the church building itself, supplies, etc. With so many churches ignoring the requirements that they be politically neutral and endorse no candidates, I see no reason why they shouldn't be taxed. If they want to play the political game, let them pay their damned entry fee like everyone else.

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Bravo! This is the best post on this thread. i would like to add if they are a struggling and charitable church then they would fall into tax exempt.

If they want to be supported by their "flock", play politics or create their own social hang out for some cause other then charitable why should they enjoy the infrastructure tax payers support and live their fantasy tax free.

Van Basten said:

They hardly represent the majority, be real. Most churches are small in size (Around 75 members).

Alot of those mega churches do above and beyond what any of us do for charity, btw.

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link? Mega, medium or small like Westboro ... they should have the same scrutiny as any non profit and simply be required to file. It's a racket, in many cases andnone of which would be necessary if such unenforceable loopholes for cults or churches or pastors and their "flocks" and citizens should not be asked to have blind faith and subsidize them.

It costs you and me billions. We are not talking chump change here. Consider that for every tax dollar a religious organization does not pay, you and I pay it on its behalf and those churches who have the greater good and charitable in their beliefs would be tax exempt as they should and the many who have greed, political agendas or simply they are gatherings for other motives would then be ferreted out. You are clinging to mega and under the guise of religion freedom we have violated our First amendment.

As far as I'm concerned, tithing is a tax on stupidity, so I would view taxing churches as double taxation.

The concept of separation of church and state is as much to protect the church from the state as it is the other way around - if not more so.

Dion said:

Bravo! This is the best post on this thread. i would like to add if they are a struggling and charitable church then they would fall into tax exempt.

If they want to be supported by their "flock", play politics or create their own social hang out for some cause other then charitable why should they enjoy the infrastructure tax payers support and live their fantasy tax free.

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I church is a business whether it likes it or not. It survives by convincing people to "buy" it's products, just like any other business. If people won't pay, then they should go under, just like any other business. Now if they'll stay completely and totally out of politics, you know, separate church and state, then I'm cool with them maintaining their tax exempt status, so long as they are not making a profit (ie. non-profit organization). Otherwise, require them to pay.

Question: AFAIK the salaries of church employees, Pastor/Priest included, are taxed, am I incorrect? Same as non-profits.

All this has nothing to do with "honoring the Constitution".

Gipper said:

As far as I'm concerned, tithing is a tax on stupidity, so I would view taxing churches as double taxation.

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Now that is just freakin' funny ... the first funny on the thread. True ... one church that is a replication of the local country club has a "flock" of women tithing to the pastor and he enjoys christian cruises and spouting politics from the pulpit under the guise of prophecy.

While it is absurd for this tax exempt status of this absurdity I view the women as being taxed on stupidity (and no fault but their own) because they like what he says and does with them. ; )


Why not just have churches file just like a non profit organization? If they are charitable to an extent required by non profits they continue being exempt and if not they will not be subsidized by the tax payers.

Dion said:

Now that is just freakin' funny ... the first funny on the thread. True ... one church that is a replication of the local country club has a "flock" of women tithing to the pastor and he enjoys christian cruises and spouting politics from the pulpit under the guise of prophecy.

While it is absurd for this tax exempt status of this absurdity I view the women as being taxed on stupidity (and no fault but their own) because they like what he says and does with them. ; )


Why not just have churches file just like a non profit organization? If they are charitable to an extent required by non profits they continue being exempt and if not they will not be subsidized by the tax payers.

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Wow, thanks. You're making me consider changing professions.

Drop to your knees and tell me your sins, Dion.

earthworm said:

Would not the Vatican be the prime example ?
Have they been "caught" ?

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The Vatican has their own sovereignty.
They can do whatever they want with their money.

Churchs should remain tax exempt unless there Obama church and the Rev. Wright.

Dion said:

Lots of churches in my state have mega buildings like country clubs and pastors earning 6 figures and the charitable work is limited ...others are charitable and reasonable. Why not have each file a return and be accountable like any not for profit ...?

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you forget the wealthiest Church of all, 1 that has billions of dollars, countless treasure. and its own nation.

Dion said:

My reference of taxing is based on charity not on who likes who. Your post is non sensical.

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Then why include that the pastor is "nice looking" and that he married his babysitter? Obvious bias is obvious.

But let's talk about the tax system in general, since we're on the topic. Let's talk about how a person who is unwed and without children who does work and put money into the system can still somehow owe the IRS large sums of money, while some slob who is constantly "between jobs", who doesn't contribute to taxes nearly as much as the working single man, gets nearly 10,000 dollars back from the IRS, simply because he humped three children into a woman, and of course, had nothing to claim on his taxes, because he doesn't do anything.

That's nonsensical, that makes absolutely no sense at all, that a person has to pay more because they put money into the system by choosing work over knocking chicks up just to get more from their tax returns, so they can get food stamps, so they can get government assistance and welfare. That is what's nonsensical, but nobody looks at that. They just see megachurches and people who make big money and decide they need to pay more, while the people draining our economy get paid to do so. Instead of attacking big money, and those people that many have obvious bias against, how about we actually fix the tax system that is so clearly broken? Maybe then we can start to climb out of this gigantic god damned deficit.