Should churches pay taxes? - Page 2

Scientologist · 10-20-2008, 02:08 PM

Doesn't the Mormon chruch have an incredible amount of money that tell no one(even mormons) how they spend it?

dak · 10-20-2008, 02:23 PM

Political agendas are preached in church, my last ex had an elderly grandmother who went to a church in North Texas. They had a selected reading list with titles like "Iran : The nuclear threat - Preparing for the end time", "Soldiers for Christ in defense of Israel", and books about conservative "silent majority" activism with signed letters of appreciation in the back from Bush and Cheney.

I live right next door to a Methodist church, closest thing to charity they do is blare terrible live christian rock and hold annoying raffles over loudspeakers for shitty CDs/Water coolers one Sunday a month.

Their last little festival was Sunday before last, they dumped a bathtub worth of cooked spaghetti they had left over under the bushes right behind my place and littered my yard with hundreds of paint balls. Got swarms of grubs, flies and beetles in my backyard now living off the giant mound of Lovecraftesque ancient evil noodles and unless I spend a few hours rummaging through tall grass on my knees I'm going to have paint all over my tool shed/rider lawnmower and clothes.

Tax the fuckers

Maleficence · 10-20-2008, 02:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Auryan

how much money do you guys think churches are bringing in?

Except for a few rip off artists like benny hinn, people aren't getting rich from church.

As others have mentioned, there are several religions that do profit greatly from their endeavours. Even more established churches like the Catholic Church which aren't so blatant in ripping people off still have made hefty amounts of money.

Catholic finances a challenge for new pope - CNBC TV - MSNBC.com

Not that there's anything wrong with that, parishioners and believers are free to do with their money as they see fit. If they want to support their church, so be it.

Mippo · 10-20-2008, 02:39 PM

The Mormon Church, based on conservative estimates of its net worth, would place it about 30th on the Fortune 500 list for largest companies by net worth.

To put it in comparison, the Mormon Church is worth about the same as Disney and worth MORE then such companies as Allstate, Freddie Mac, Home Depot, News Corp, IBM, CBS, Prudential and the list goes on.

Imagine if Disney stopped paying taxes because it would basically be the same thing, and that's just one church.

ToeMissile · 10-20-2008, 02:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scientologist

Doesn't the Mormon chruch have an incredible amount of money that tell no one(even mormons) how they spend it?

Not exactly sure what you're trying to ask here...

I do know that all 'clergy' positions in the Mormon church are volunteer/don't receive a salary/payment. The 'higher ups' have travel expenses paid for but that's basically it.

OneofOne · 10-20-2008, 02:40 PM

Churches use their wealth to... get wealthier. They buy up land and resale it, lease it, etc. They invest in the stock markets. They are a business like any other, only the product they pimp is the salvation of your soul. How is that any different from any other self-help guru who pays taxes on his seminars and books?

Kreugen · 10-20-2008, 02:50 PM

It's the whole issue of small-town church in a trailer vs megacorp churches that fill arenas and own private jets.

There should be a way to appease both without allowing greedy fucks to exploit the system.

Quineloe · 10-20-2008, 03:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tjac

No taxation without representation.

In taxing churches you would invite them to meddle even more in government than they already do.

Priests don't get to vote?

That's all the representation most of us are getting just the same.

Scientologist · 10-20-2008, 03:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ToeMissile

Not exactly sure what you're trying to ask here...

I do know that all 'clergy' positions in the Mormon church are volunteer/don't receive a salary/payment. The 'higher ups' have travel expenses paid for but that's basically it.

I mean they make huge profits every year and don't have to release their financial records to anyone is what I've heard. I was wondering if this was true.

Szlia · 10-20-2008, 03:21 PM

Trying to be realistic for a second here: wouldn't it be political suicide to try to tax churches even if it makes sense?

OneofOne · 10-20-2008, 03:29 PM

Yes, but I don't think that's what's being asked. Never happen sadly.

dak · 10-20-2008, 03:52 PM

Quote:

Trying to be realistic for a second here: wouldn't it be political suicide to try to tax churches even if it makes sense?

In the same sense that it would have been political suicide to speak out against fascism in 1938 Nazi Germany.

Tyen · 10-20-2008, 03:54 PM

Churches need to take the bums off the street.

Ninjarr · 10-20-2008, 03:56 PM

Poll please.

Tax the fuckers like a business. You do charity work, you write it off. No freebies.

Hachima · 10-20-2008, 04:35 PM

It would be political suicide for the anti church people to allow churches to be taxed. It is currently illegal for tax exempt organizations (churches or any other non profit group) to endorse or oppose candidates for public office.

Do you really want to start taxing churches and let them announce over the pulpit to vote for specific people?

10-20-2008, 02:23 PM	#17 (permalink)
dak You don't have to agree. Just know I'm right. Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: France Posts: 4,855	Political agendas are preached in church, my last ex had an elderly grandmother who went to a church in North Texas. They had a selected reading list with titles like "Iran : The nuclear threat - Preparing for the end time", "Soldiers for Christ in defense of Israel", and books about conservative "silent majority" activism with signed letters of appreciation in the back from Bush and Cheney. I live right next door to a Methodist church, closest thing to charity they do is blare terrible live christian rock and hold annoying raffles over loudspeakers for shitty CDs/Water coolers one Sunday a month. Their last little festival was Sunday before last, they dumped a bathtub worth of cooked spaghetti they had left over under the bushes right behind my place and littered my yard with hundreds of paint balls. Got swarms of grubs, flies and beetles in my backyard now living off the giant mound of Lovecraftesque ancient evil noodles and unless I spend a few hours rummaging through tall grass on my knees I'm going to have paint all over my tool shed/rider lawnmower and clothes. Tax the fuckers __________________ ...It's a Christmas Miracle!

10-20-2008, 03:21 PM	#25 (permalink)
Szlia Conquest Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Switzerland Posts: 5,881 +31 Internets	Trying to be realistic for a second here: wouldn't it be political suicide to try to tax churches even if it makes sense? __________________ -retrosabotage-

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10-20-2008, 02:08 PM	#16 (permalink)
Scientologist Registered User Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 669 -55 Internets	Doesn't the Mormon chruch have an incredible amount of money that tell no one(even mormons) how they spend it?

10-20-2008, 02:39 PM	#19 (permalink)
Mippo Tuco's real life pic! Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Ranger Posts: 1,803 -136 Internets	The Mormon Church, based on conservative estimates of its net worth, would place it about 30th on the Fortune 500 list for largest companies by net worth. To put it in comparison, the Mormon Church is worth about the same as Disney and worth MORE then such companies as Allstate, Freddie Mac, Home Depot, News Corp, IBM, CBS, Prudential and the list goes on. Imagine if Disney stopped paying taxes because it would basically be the same thing, and that's just one church.

10-20-2008, 02:40 PM	#21 (permalink)
OneofOne Registered User Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 1,103	Churches use their wealth to... get wealthier. They buy up land and resale it, lease it, etc. They invest in the stock markets. They are a business like any other, only the product they pimp is the salvation of your soul. How is that any different from any other self-help guru who pays taxes on his seminars and books?

10-20-2008, 02:50 PM	#22 (permalink)
Kreugen Fires of Heaven Ancient Join Date: Jan 2002 Posts: 3,219 +71 Internets	It's the whole issue of small-town church in a trailer vs megacorp churches that fill arenas and own private jets. There should be a way to appease both without allowing greedy fucks to exploit the system.

10-20-2008, 03:29 PM	#26 (permalink)
OneofOne Registered User Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 1,103	Yes, but I don't think that's what's being asked. Never happen sadly.

10-20-2008, 03:54 PM	#28 (permalink)
Tyen :. Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 4,259 -18 Internets	Churches need to take the bums off the street.

10-20-2008, 03:56 PM	#29 (permalink)
Ninjarr used to be ninajrr, <3 Braen Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: CA Posts: 1,926 -12 Internets	Poll please. Tax the fuckers like a business. You do charity work, you write it off. No freebies.

10-20-2008, 04:35 PM	#30 (permalink)
Hachima Registered User Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 2,178	It would be political suicide for the anti church people to allow churches to be taxed. It is currently illegal for tax exempt organizations (churches or any other non profit group) to endorse or oppose candidates for public office. Do you really want to start taxing churches and let them announce over the pulpit to vote for specific people?