If you think that only weak churches would close if subjected to to full taxation powers of the federal government you are deluding yourself. It is axiomatic that the power to tax is the power to destroy.
Only conservative churches are targeted. No liberal church will ever be subpoenaed or taxed for advocating homosexual marriage, abortion, socialism or black racism.
You missed my point completely.
1. Churches dependent on God do not need tax-exempt status. It is a relatively new (50 years?) law that did not exist long ago.
2. By claiming that status, churches are only giving the gov. a basis for intruding. Don’t claim the status, you can say whatever you want - until things get like Nazi Germany....which may be not far away.
3. Real givers don’t concern themselves with getting a tax deduction. Few have income levels and giving levels where their tax-exempt giving actually benefits them. And if that is the basis for their giving, I question their motives. Christians I know give where they are led to give regardless of any tax benefit. Often the greatest need is where there is no tax benefit.
4. Claiming tax-exempt status is a form of the church depending on the world instead of on God.