....The Church spends approximately 2.8 billion euros per year on assistance programs, including 68 women's shelters to aid victims of spousal abuse and ex-prostitutes, and 870,000 poor who are clothed and fed by Catholics. In toto, 2.8 million people receive such benefits from the Catholic Church.
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How do Mohammad and the Cheapskates play at this venue?
I would be interested in knowing how this plays out based on contributions and specific social benefits.
“indicating that they wish 0.7% of their tax to go to the Catholic Church, rather than to a government fund.”
If you don’t want to deal with the state don’t take anything from it.
Taxing churches: coming soon to a nation near you. :)
What government taxes, government controls.
I don’t aim this at any specific church.
But ANY church which involves itself in political debates and supports particular candidates on any issue should loose its tax free status and be subject to taxes.
Anyone who thinks obammy isn’t going to go after all churches to tax is a fool.
Like the song says, “if you walk too much they’ll tax your feet”.
There is no separation of church and state in Europe, as we know it here. Many countries collect tithing directly for the church from your paycheck. Can’t afford the tithing? Then you have to officially declare you are no longer a member of the church.