I personally believe that there should be some kind of limitations on the number of churches allowed in a city. I live in a town that has very few businesses, many residential homes, and many, many many churches- all of which pay absolutely no tax. I know someone who worked for a church for years, lost his job, and had zero unemployment bennies because churches are not included in unemployment taxes or insurance.
I totally disagree. That would be in direct violation of the establishment clause of the 1st amendment barring the government from interfering in the right of religious expression. If a church isn't supported, it closes. If it exists it means that it's serving a community of parishioners. Also, the money that goes into churches has already been taxed. It's the net income of it's parishioners after paying federal, state and local taxes. Your acquaintance knew, or dang well should have known the risks of basing a career in the church.
Do you live in Nashville or it's suburbs? We went there last summer and i was astounded at the number of churches. Cab driver told us there was even a church specifically for gay people.
This is what I think they are ultimately after, another way to exterminate "religion" in America, all in the name of "economic development". Let em try to grab the land, I believe we will see voters across America kick any elected official in the ass and out of office who tries to ply this wicked scheme against the good people of America. Now is the time to keep track of what goes on in your neck of the woods. They make a grab for some land, kick em in the ass and tell them to get the hell out of our nation, then kick em out of office.