Religion and Politics

[MrFun]

In U.S., politically active churches should have their tax exempt status removed.


discuss

[DaShi]

No need, you've already covered the issue completely.

[Elok]

Does this include churches that agitate for social justice, or just the ones that you disagree with?

[Wezil]

I'd allow tax free status on charity works (receipts please) and tax the rest.

[Robert]

In U.S., politically active churches should have their tax exempt status removed.


discuss

If we can make a good definition of politically active churches, then I agree.

[Jon Miller]

I'd allow tax free status on charity works (receipts please) and tax the rest.

The question is, if a pastor visits people who are sick/depressed/etc in their homes, is this a charity work or not?

THere are a lot of similar questions.

JM

[bc1871]

In U.S., politically active churches should have their tax exempt status removed.


discuss

[Wezil]

The question is, if a pastor visits people who are sick/depressed/etc in their homes, is this a charity work or not?

THere are a lot of similar questions.

JM

No, that is a sales call.

Religions are businesses fighting for a dwindling market share.

[Wezil]

Quite frankly Jon, if you want to argue gray areas I'd be just as inclined to remove tax free status completely to remove the confusion. I'm trying to be generous.

[giblets]

End tax exemptions for all churches.

I'd allow tax free status on charity works (receipts please) and tax the rest.

I agree.

[Jon Miller]

See, you fundamentally don't think they are offering a service. As such, how could you consider them as doing charity work?

You are biased, that is why you don't see it.

If we had an organization sending counselors to peoples homes you wouldn't argue that it wasn't a charity.

If there was a church that requirement payment for such services, it wouldn't be a charity. No major Christian church is this way, hence all are charities (and most of their efforts are charity).

Just because I don't want the meat soup that some homeless shelter is giving away, doesn't stop them from being a charity and taking part in charity. The desirability to me of a given good or service does not effect whether offering it for free is charitable or not.

JM

[Wezil]

Outreach to sick and dying parishioners is done for more than just altruistic reasons Jon. There are wills involved.

[Wezil]

**** it. You convinced me Jon.

Remove tax free status altogether and avoid the confusion/debate.

[giblets]

See, you fundamentally don't think they are offering a service. As such, how could you consider them as doing charity work?

If there was a church that requirement payment for such services, it wouldn't be a charity. No major Christian church is this way, hence all are charities (and most of their efforts are charity).

Of course churches offer a service, and their attendees pay for it. The fact that churches let attendees choose their own price doesn't make them a charity.

[C0ckney]

well using that logic then there is no such thing as charity. as all 'charities' provide a service and are paid for by their donors and the donors select their own price.