Does Glenn Beck believe in this?

[Elok]

On topic, I was just reminded by WaPo that Glenn Beck has accused Obama of believing in Liberation Theology that "perverts the Gospel message." In that context, yeah, I think it's actually appropriate to bring up the Mormon thing...

[notyoueither]

Well at least they aren't doing so here in the US. I'm not sure I agree with the tax exemption, but I believe it was decided in a court case that the government was restricting religion by taxing it.

Right, in the US we should be talking about various evangelists.

[giblets]

Well at least they aren't doing so here in the US. I'm not sure I agree with the tax exemption, but I believe it was decided in a court case that the government was restricting religion by taxing it.

I don't understand that. Is the government restricting free speech if it taxes a news organization?

[Hauldren Collider]

Yeah, I agree that it makes no sense.

[Jon Miller]

Churches which do certain activities (including campaigning for politicians/etc) can lost tax exempt status I believe.

Additionally, churches all fall under the area of charities. Yes, that includes the ones whose only charitable act is to preach.

Churches mostly subsist on gifts, gifts are not taxed.

Finally, churches are (at least theoretically) non-profit. Non-profit organisations are tax exempt.

JM
(This is ignoring the argument that to be able to tax is to be able to destroy, which you said you don't like.)

[flash9286]

Well at least they aren't doing so here in the US. I'm not sure I agree with the tax exemption, but I believe it was decided in a court case that the government was restricting religion by taxing it.

You are wrong HC, the Supreme Court has never specifically addressed the issue and the lower federal courts have held that the tax exemption churches have is a matter of grace not right. However, I think some state constitutions exempt religious organizations from state taxes.

[Hauldren Collider]

Ah, thank you for the clarification.