How much tax revenue could be raised by taxing churches, synagogues, mosques, et

[Freeper]

bluestateguy  (1000+ posts)  Journal  Click to send private message to this author  Click to view this author's profile  Click to add this author to your buddy list  Click to add this author to your Ignore list      Sun Jan-30-11 04:33 PM
Original message
How much tax revenue could be raised by taxing churches, synagogues, mosques, etc.
   

As long as tax rates were equitable across different faiths, I don't see a constitutional problem. And of course, tax deductions could still be in place for legitimate charitable work (serving food in a soup kitchen, yes; ministering to "change" gay people, no).

Of course, one unintended consequence would be that churches, etc. would pass those costs down to members by charging official dues, but it might be worth it anyway.

This is just a think piece, so I humbly ask for no abusive invective in response.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=439x309889

Funny you don't see that connection of passing down the costs to the consumer when you advocate corporate taxes.

bluerum  Donating Member  (1000+ posts)  Journal  Click to send private message to this author  Click to view this author's profile  Click to add this author to your buddy list  Click to add this author to your Ignore list      Sun Jan-30-11 04:49 PM
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9. When they advocate a political cause or candidate they should lose tax exempt status.

Does that include the black churches that Dems visit?

supernova  Donating Member  (1000+ posts)  Journal  Click to send private message to this author  Click to view this author's profile  Click to add this author to your buddy list  Click to add this author to your Ignore list      Sun Jan-30-11 04:54 PM
Response to Original message
11. No, I'm for keeping them out of our tax base, here's why
   
If churches and other religious institutions start paying taxes, they will want to offically run for office with "official" representation on on school boards, town councils, any elective body and office you can name. Just think of it, your town town council, and county commisioners littered with the Rep for Enron, The Rep for the Southern Baptist Church, The Tire King Store, The RCC, etc.

Now, you could argue that they do that already by inserting themselves into our national civil debate, so be it. But it's the difference between a philosophical stance and giving that philosophical stance a legal legitimacy. I prefer not to do that.

Yep because taxing them could violate separation of church and state. If the church pays taxes the church would have to be given the right to influence public policy and you goons would hate that.

[DumbAss Tanker]

bluestateguy  (1000+ posts)  Journal  Click to send private message to this author  Click to view this author's profile  Click to add this author to your buddy list  Click to add this author to your Ignore list      Sun Jan-30-11 04:33 PM
Original message
How much tax revenue could be raised by taxing churches, synagogues, mosques, etc.

...Political parties, PACs, 'Community organizations,' charities, youth groups, social/educational/cultural nonprofits...

Yeah...NOW maybe you realize why that's a stupid idea.

[GOBUCKS]

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=439x309889

Does that include the black churches that Dems visit?

No. That's racist.

[AllosaursRus]

bluestateguy  (1000+ posts)  Journal  Click to send private message to this author  Click to view this author's profile  Click to add this author to your buddy list  Click to add this author to your Ignore list      Sun Jan-30-11 04:33 PM
Original message
How much tax revenue could be raised by taxing churches, synagogues, mosques, etc.

And here all this time you jerks have been preachin' to us how you're all about the poor and downtrodden!

You think Church's just put that money in a room in the basement, ya ****in' moron?

What ya need to ask, is how many of the poor will suffer immensely if you do such a stooooopid ****in' thing? If you tax the church, who's goin' to fund all those soup kitchens y'all are likely to have to visit if Obiewan keeps it up, the all seein' all powerful gubmint?

Ya bitch about the homeless now! I can just imagine how it would work if ya take the Church's out of the equation!

You people really are ****in' stooooopid!