MrRTFM's Journal: Religious Organizations are businesses and should be TAXED

Let me first say, that I firmly believe that all people on this planet [and any other planet that may or may not be discovered] should be able to believe in whatever they like. If you want to pray to God, Jesus, Buddha, etc. then that is your choice. I respect that, and I will defend your right to believe in your god.

Now, here is the bit I dont believe in... What is the deal with religious groups thinking that they can act like a business and collect large amounts of land, assetts, businesses on the side, and then be exempt from taxation?

This is complete bullshit - if a religious group is behaving properly, it will collect income from donations, etc and then it will deduct expenses like electricity, bible printing, whatever and after that everything leftover - as per a normal business is PROFIT - AND IT SHOULD BE TAXED, JUST LIKE A BUSINESS.

I am all for freedom of speech and religion but I will not accept that they should be able to make MILLIONS OF DOLLARS in revenue without any taxation at all, just because they are a 'religion'.

Separation of Church & State

[DLR]

You have to take the good with the bad. Separation of Church & State has become such a rallying cry in recent years that to remove the tax exempt status from religious organizations would be nothing short of hypocritical. OTOH, since a speaker of or at such an institution endorsing a political candidate or referendum would lose their tax exempt status, it can also be seen that Congress is violating the 1st Amendment with this by interfering with free speech and the free practice of religion.