Comment Re:That would be unfair (Score 1) 700
You're right, which is why most of the commenters here are wanting the religious exemption revoked entirely, not just one religion's exemption; ALL OF THEM!
You realize that the tax-exemption does render unto Caesar and God what is theirs, right? The minute that you revoke tax-exempt status for these Churches, they can always start a PAC? They can also start to preach politics from the pulpit. Right now their tax-exempt status is a a balance and check.
Either you live in an alternate reality or you just haven't been paying attention to U.S. politics for the last 50 years or so. Religion has been influencing politics very directly since the Dixiecrat era and the Southern Strategy. Here's a video of a church pastor telling his parishioners how to vote just recently. So, wanna tell me about that "balance and check" again?
Who defines what is charitable work? Is saving souls not charitable?
I don't know, can they prove that they were saved? Remember, in the Laws of Man that we all must ALSO FOLLOW, it's not what you believe, it's what you can prove. A charitable organization can point to tangible results of its work and prove it is doing something to help others, a religious one cannot. There's your justification, and the lack thereof.
It's pretty obvious you need some mandatory sensitivity training.
So do most American church goers. Your point?
The exempt purposes set forth in section 501(c)(3) are charitable, religious, educational, scientific, literary, testing for public safety, fostering national or international amateur sports competition, and preventing cruelty to children or animals.
I'm really getting tired of shooting down your false assertions, guys. Revoking tax exempt status for churches would only revoke tax exempt status for CHURCHES!!!!
That makes no sense. The 501(c)3 tax code doesn't mention churches or religion at all.
The exempt purposes set forth in section 501(c)(3) are charitable, religious, educational, scientific, literary, testing for public safety, fostering national or international amateur sports competition, and preventing cruelty to children or animals.
If only I had mod points...
Leaving aside the problems this would likely pose under American law, in the United States it's generally the case that non-profit corporations are not taxed at any level of government.
How does paying taxes keep you or the church from freely exercising a religion? Please use as many big words as you like. I am college educated. Keep in mind that no one is talking about taxing churches differently than any other for-profit organization, and if you think a church is non-profit you've been hitting the sacramental wine a bit too heavily. And you better read this before you say something else that isn't true and parrot the other idiots in this thread.
The exempt purposes set forth in section 501(c)(3) are charitable, religious, educational, scientific, literary, testing for public safety, fostering national or international amateur sports competition, and preventing cruelty to children or animals.
We're happy to hear your stories. But, listen: maybe they should go on the fridge, instead of the front page of Slashdot. Ok, bud?
I didn't know Mom posted the "F" graded assigments on the fridge?
OK
People here like to poke fun at the long posts by Bennett Hassleton. This one is actually pretty good.
He saw something, constructed an experiement using readily available resources, got statistically significant results (just about) and made an intereesting post detailing the methodology.
To my mind this is interesting in comparison to more formal academic studies as it shows that you can get reasonable results as a lone wolf with a limited budget and no research institution.
I like this post. Go Bennett.
He posted an ad hoc, anecdotal, unscientific "survey" and generated 101 responses and then claims credibility, and you commend him?!?! You must have been dropped on your head, too, then, yes?
Or, in car analogy terms:
If one guy tailgates you and then passes you on the right, he's an asshole.
If 50 people tailgate you and then pass you on the right, take a goddamn hint.
That's the first car analogy that I've seen actually not be fallacious posted to
"Gravitation cannot be held responsible for people falling in love." -- Albert Einstein
