[blues_guitarist]

I think churches should abandon tax exemption anyway. I was a member of a small church in NYS that lost its tax exempt status during the Clintoon years. We did not crumble as a result of that attack.
We need to move away from our reliance on the state and back to a reliance on God. Especially in this day and age!

Of course, I don't believe in claiming my tithes and offerings on tax forms either.

[Chanticleer]

I don't believe a church's tax exempt status reflects dependence on the state. It does, in fact, acknowledge that God's claims are higher than the State's claims. You can't tax God.

As for deducting donations, I see it as good stewardship.

[Between the Lines]

I think churches should abandon tax exemption anyway.

My daughter's church (Fundamentalist Baptist) gave up it's tax exempt status a few years back. They separated the ministries from the church and the ministries retained a tax exempt status. The ministries owns the property and leases it to the church. So they divide their tithes between the church and donations to the ministries. That way the church only has the pastor, utilities and a small rent payment to make, yet they can still speak out politically, and the ministries are unaffected by taxes.

[Principled]

A national retail sales tax is worth five minutes of your time.

FAQ page:http://www.fairtaxvolunteer.org/smart/faq.html

[truthingod]

We do not have to lose our tax exempt status. The government has no right to take money from a church that belongs to God first! The point is that the church should be engaging this lost culture at every level and especially at the elected level of goverment. Those on the lost left have no trouble gathering funds at their kind of gatherings to support abortion rights, gay rights, etc.--why do we want to give up our tax exempt status? The idea that it doesn't matter is wrong.

[feedback doctor]

I think churches should abandon tax exemption anyway.

What would happen if the church lost it's tax exempt status? Then people would give from a heart of love, not tax deductions. Giving is an act of faith, and faith works by love.