Posted on 02/02/2017 4:40:18 PM PST by Olog-hai
Agreed.
Didn't you just say, "tax them"?
The Johnson amendment has always violated the 1st Amendment. No, not the freedom of religion clause, it violates the freedom to peacefully assemble in that it allows the government to restrict that freedom.
It only ever applied to white churches anyway. Black churches have long been used by the Democrats for political purposes.
Yes, tax all organizations equally without favoritism as to type.
You want to tax non-profits?
There really isn't any such thing as a non profit. All organizations have to turn a profit or they cease to exist. I would prefer a zero tax rate on all organizations. But I don't think the tax code should discriminate as to type of organization. If businesses are taxed, then churches should be too.
Then they should be able to use their massive influence both monetarily and individually in elections. I am a Christian and I don’t think that this is a good idea. The founders were brilliant.
Al Sharpton, Jesse Jackson, CAIR, Pfleger, every black church in the country, etc, etc. They do this already.
Is the Clinton Foundation a charity or a business? Lakewood Church is a business that rakes in tons of dough. It's past time to be honest about what these things are and burden them with the same tax rates that other businesses have to endure.
Small stuff compared to what it might be.
How many members are in the Catholic church? Not including international influences.
And “churches” like the Church of Scientology would be involved with their billions of dollars in influence and thousands of members.
Link to top 10...
http://www.therichest.com/rich-list/the-biggest/the-10-biggest-american-megachurches/
Keep in mind too that money would flow both directions — from churches to government and back (in the form of programs favored by a particular church).
No, you really don’t want a religious organization involved in our electoral process and government.
Catholic Church membership in the US:
The Catholic Church in the United States is part of the worldwide Catholic Church in communion with the Pope. With 69.5 million members, it is the largest religious body in the United States, comprising 22% of the population as of 2015.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catholic_Church_in_the_United_States
That’s a lot of potential influence!
One might argue that with one if five Americans being Catholic, that allowing the church to play in politics and government would be a more effective representation. Although I don’t think that that is such a good idea.
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