I have never understood the reasoning behind churches being “tax-exempt”. That sounds very akin to applying for and receiving permission from the government to be a church. Does this mean, If I want to start a branch of some existing denomination I have to ask permission from the government?
The other side of that argument, what is a higher and best use of a piece of property, a tax exempt church or a home or business that the government can collect property and other taxes from?
The power to tax is the power to destroy. If the government had the power to tax organized religions then it most certainly will tax those that oppose its policies into nonexistence.