Trump thinks Scientology should lose its tax-exempt status

The Hill ^ | November 9, 2017 | John Bowden

[Steve Van Doorn]

I can make an argument that Islam is an ideology more then a religion and a direct violation of our constitution.
I also believe it can hold up in court.

Scientology I can't use the same argument.

[BobL]

Agree - and feel sorry for those that have trouble distinguishing between a religion and cult. It’s really not that hard.

[sparklite2]

Think for a minute. You want federal bureaucrats to decide what is a valid religion and what isn’t?

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I’m for limited government. I’m not for anybody who wants to declare themselves a religion to get out of paying tax.
You have to draw a line. And that line excludes Scientology from being a religion.

[Impala64ssa]

< Investigate Scientology for Organized Crime, or RICO, or kidnapping, or the other laws they break. >
What did Lisa McPherson know and when did she know it?

[sparklite2]

Is that Christina Hendricks’ picture fourth on the top row?
Say not so.

[Krosan]

I believe Church of Scientology is classified as a criminal organization engaged in fraud in Germany. That is why they didn’t allow Tom Cruise to film anything in official German government buildings for the Valyrie movie.

[SpaceBar]

The ACLU is orders of magnitude more dangerous than Scientology and should have had its tax status yanked Jan 21. If Trump wants to keep his eye on the ball, it should be the correct ball.

[zek157]

Yes. even if it came down to all churches being taxed. They would get very little from real churches as they give it all away to missions etc..

[moonhawk]

Why tax business at all? They just pass it on to us. There goes your 10%.

Tax business at zero—That will attract more business than you can believe.

Tax sales, nothing else.

[Nifster]

Larry Noble apparently didn’t pay attention to the last administration and its behaviour.

LRH was a drunk and a lech....at a minimum

Current leadership is beyond abusive.

Scientology may be many things but I suspect SCOTUS would not uphold such a revocation. Would love it if it could be done

[Nifster]

I agree with you. Put your flame suit on though because not everyone does

[Nifster]

I don’t recognize most of those folks?

Leah Renini should not be included in those pictures as she has not only left but is doing her best to help others leave. Not sure that Nicole Kidmann ever joined...part of why she and Tom spilt. John Brody hardly counts as Hollywood

[Nifster]

It is a travesty that Hod’s people ask the government for permission to exists. I personally do not claim my donations to Hod’s work as a tax write off.

[Nifster]

The Tech? You mean the phony auditing that is supposed to make you go clear? How about just doing some cognitive behaviour therapy?

[minnesota_bound]

#2 It was Bill Clinton who took a bribe from the cult that gave them the tax exempt status.

I know, it is hard to believe that Bill Clinton took a bribe!

[dsc]

“Scientology I can’t use the same argument.”

Hubbard spoke often of inventing a fake religion for his own personal gain.

Then he did.

How is his invention a legitimate religion?

[Stormy_2021]

Some of those pictured have left or never really been “involved”...

http://www.rollingstone.com/movies/lists/celebrities-who-have-left-scientology-20130806

That page begins a slide show of those who left...

[UnwashedPeasant]

"I question why any church or religious organization should get special treatment from the IRS or tax code."

First Amendment.

[SunkenCiv]

First, every org approved for tax exempt status during the Obama and Clinton years -- a threat to Scientology should only be used as a prod to extract good behavior out of Hollyweirdos until that is achieved. THEN lower the boom on the phony religion of L. Ron Dumbass. Thanks EdnaMode.

[laweeks]

Along with Universalist Unitarians.