the us govt will give religion tax free status when they cant even prove that god exsists yet will not give tax free status to ufo researchers when they cant prove ufos exsist
127129
Good question. Many people (including government officials) believe that religion keeps people in line with moral codes and supervised behavior. Therefore, the work of religious bodies is complimentary to the work of government agencies (this used to be especially true in education and hospitals). In my opinion churches should be heavily taxed, as they have become too powerful.
467417
Some ideas here --> http://images.google.com/images?svnum=10&hl=en&sa=X&oi=spell&resnum=0&ct=result&cd=1&q=freedom+of+religion&spell=1
251417
Religion seems to be used for social control.  Still, I live and let live as long as a theocracy is not promoted and established.  So far, here in the US, we still have freedom FROM religion too.  I'd like to keep it that way.
41599
The abstinance until marriage stance taught to children is religious...the banning of gay marriages/rights is religous.  So yes, the government does fund religious practices.
496842
Didn't you get the memo?  Freedom of speech and freedom of religion only applies to Christians.  All us non-Christians have to shut up and salute.
550585
Per the Constitution, Congress cannot make a law creating a national religion.  Nor can they take the right to practice religion away from the people.  Note that, in theory, each state could form their own state-run religion, just not Congress....  Also note that Congress can make no law.  It says nothing of nativity scenes outside local municipalities, Christmas trees on government property, Christmas carols at local elementary schools Christmas pageants, the Ten Commandments on the Supreme Court building, etc.\n\nMy issue with government and religion is from the other side-when politicians campaign in churches for votes.  These are usually democrats, and traditionally only in black churches....  Though I believe they have every right to do so, it is my view that the church is then taking part in governmental affairs, and should not then have a tax-exempt status.  But that's only my opinion.
674726
Perhaps. But the government only recognizes so many religions. Otherwise people might start doing terrible things in their religion's name... oops, wait... bit late for that. Really, though, unless the government decides to recognize cubianity as a legitimate religion you don't have a leg to stand on. If they did you might be able to get away with it.
175760
"How do we know which religions are real and which are jokes."\n\nThat's really more an issue for the IRS than for us.
148582
No, but I think religion should be a personal practice and have NOTHING to do with the government at all. Until that happens, yes it should be repressed from all governmental function.
129405
Religion just needs to stay out of politics. Once politics start getting influenced by one sect of religion facing up against another sect. It will most likely lead to civil war.
372145
There is no separation of church and state mentioned anywhere in our constitution.  The Constitution states that the government shall not mandate a state religion.  No one is forced to celebrate Christmas, and no one can be prohibited from celebrating it.  As most of us in the US celebrate Christmas, if federal offices stayed open on Christmas, they would be too empty to get anything done anyway, so the only fiscally responsible thing to do is to close them on Christmas.
588431
YOU ARE ABSOLUTELY RIGHT!!!\nIt is not a pagan holiday and non-believers have NO RIGHT to celebrate or to try and change this Holiday to suit there needs, for it is 'OUR' (Christians) religious Holiday after all.\n\np.s. James P.  All of the founding fathers were Christians.  Furthermore; the observation of a Federal Holiday has nothing to do with govt and laws but merely that the majority of the public (claim to be Christian) want the Holidays to be observed.  (hence when it is deemed a Federal Holiday, people are not forced to work on those particular days. i.e. Martin Luther King Day, Easter, July 4th, Kwanzaa, Good Friday, etc.  they are preserved for a myriad of faiths and observances! So, they should not be changed for any reason.  I just find it ironic that so many faiths outside of the Christian faith celebrate this Holiday.  You will not find a 'true' Christian that observes another faiths holiday!
655180
The trouble is religion, not God, but religion, belief in God is fine, as long as man does not try to interfere for gain of wealth and power.
238162
I'm with you..no religion..it's a crutch so that people think they can no the reasons for things.
601548
It's a Cult.  A tax exempt one.
54266
Within reason they should be able to follow the "laws" of their religion. less so, things which may just be custom. Certainly, a limit needs to be placed on anything which would place an undue tax burden on the taxpayer or create an unsafe situation. In the cases , where money is the issue, a religious charity organization could be appealed to.
511249
Lol, because the Bush administration doesn't really care what the religious nuts want. They just used them to get elected. Lol ah they were used and its funny to me.