Why do churches, temples, & mosques deserve tax exempt status?
927082
The most simple answer is the oft mis-interpreted separation of \nchurch and state.\n\n\nYou don't want religious influence on the government, you wont let religion be represented in government, but you'll take tax dollars from them?
534308
I consider EVERY tax-exempt entity as being "subsidized"\nby the government.........directly or indirectly.\n\nNearly all educational organizations are tax-exempt, here; that includes religious schools. For that matter, all religious organizations are subsidized as well as all volunteer organizations.........of any kind.\n\nCan anyone think of a volunteer, medical, educational, religious, community or cultural group that is NOT tax-exempt and therefore subsidized by my taxes????? \n\nOn top of that, the government in the USA tells people what they can learn/teach and what they cannot learn/teach within the confines of the tax-exempt status.
584459
No.\n\nThe reason we have Freedom of Worship in this country is because the government is prohibited from endorsing any single religion.  That's called the separation of church and state.  As such, the government cannot pay for a faith-based school.\n\nAlso, people who attend private school CHOOSE to attend.  No one is force to pay private tuition fees.  So if a person chooses to go to private school, why should the taxpayers foot the bill?
982230
I don't know which church told you that you were unimportant and a sinner because of your poverty, but neither my church (Lutheran) nor I say that!  I'm sorry you had that experience.  Those folks are not walking in the way of Christ; He told His disciples that the poor would be with us always.  And James says that God chose the poor to be rich in faith.\nAs to your question about why churches don't pay taxes...well, that's something I wonder myself.  I think we might be better off if we did, really.  And the overtaxation of the poor/middle class and the loan sharks...honey, the blame for that falls on our elected officials who live in the back pockets of corporations, giving them huge tax breaks and letting everyone else shoulder the burden...while they vote big pay raises for themselves! (Must be nice, huh?)\nAnd lastly:  welfare is not a sin!  We were poor when I was a kid, and if it hadn't been for food stamps, free lunches at school, and surplus government commodities, us kids would have starved!  And later, when my mom developed heart problems so she couldn't work and had to go on full AFDC, we were just thankful those services were there for us.  The only time welfare -might- be considered a sin would be if someone were just lazy and refused to work.  But I don't think that's you...believe me, I know how hard it is to find a job that will support a family, or to get affordable training to help get a better job.\nPlease don't let that church get you down.  I'll be praying for you, OK?
91403
first off, does the organization have a lease for the facilities?  If so you can check the lease to see if there is any violation of the terms of the lease.\n\nRegarding separation of church and state, I believe as long as the mission of the organization is nonsectarian, that is, providing assistance or service to those of all religions, then it is not violating church/state restriction. \n\nYou could be a bit more specific about the activities and mission of the organization for a better answer.
946892
That is a very interesting question.  Legally, churches are automatically tax-exempt.  There is no legal right the government has to impose taxes on the church.  However, the church can give up that right.  How does a church give up that right?  They fill out the 501(c)(3) Tax-Exempt Corporation papers.  They are now submitting themselves (the churches are) to the authority of the government which gave them that status.  \n\nLook up form 1023 at the irs.gov web site and you'll find the following.\n=====================\nForm 1023 not necessary. \nThe following types of organizations may be considered tax exempt under section 501(c)(3) even if they do not file Form 1023.\n\n• Churches, including synagogues,temples, and mosques.\n• Integrated auxiliaries of churches and conventions or associations of churches.\n• Any organization that has gross receipts in each taxable year of normally not more than $5,000. \n\nEven though the above organizations are not required to file Form 1023 to be tax exempt, these organizations may choose to file Form 1023 in order to receive a determination letter that recognizes their section 501(c)(3) status and specifies whether contributions to them are tax deductible.\n=========================\nYou see, the church has been convinced that it needs the Federal Government approval, and yet in their own documentation they say that churches "may be considered tax exempt under section 501(c)(3) even if they do not file Form 1023."\n\nThe only reason churches can't speak out on government and political issues is that they have placed themselves under the authority of the government, something that they really didn't have to do in the first place.
454534
Give unto Caesar the things that are Caesars. Tax breaks and exempt status of churches and clergy is not a teaching of Christs. If you want to serve God pay your taxes you cheapskate. Go get a real job, one that is respectable, like a tax collecter or a ceo of Enron.
564487
I say get religion out of ALL government paid positions.\nNo Priest opening sessions of congress\nNo Clergy in the military ranks\nA secular country that has in it's constitution a ban on state sponsored religion should spend NO taxpayer money on religious personnel.\nReligion in a secular country should play no part in politics. Though out history there have been innumerable gods/goddesses and deities of every flavor, who's to say what one is correct. Even if you take the modern religions which way is the proper way to worship your chosen deity, the countless sects of christianity that follow jesus instead of god or, the multiple forms of judaism in following the word of god, or the various teaching of muhammad in the following of allah. Religion has no business in politics, society can do a fine job of directing the morals of itself and the policies and politics of itself.
74694
Normally a church has information regarding assistance, etc within their bylaws. It is best to have a piece of paper showing what criteria and selection process is used to determine who receives help and how much help is given (the amount). The IRS - should they ever wish to check - will want to see that you were using a nondiscriminatory method of selection. It does not necessarily need to be open to the general public as I understand - but if within your church - needs to be open to all members.\n\nFrom the IRS site "If your organization is applying for recognition of exemption as a charitable organization, it must show that it is organized and operated for purposes that are beneficial to the public interest. Some examples of this type of organization are those organized for: \n\nRelief of the poor, the distressed, or the underprivileged,\n\nAdvancement of religion,\n\nAdvancement of education or science,\n\nErection or maintenance of public buildings, monuments, or works,\n\nLessening the burdens of government,\n\nLessening of neighborhood tensions,\n\nElimination of prejudice and discrimination,\n\nDefense of human and civil rights secured by law, and\n\nCombating community deterioration and juvenile delinquency."\n\nHope that helps
701592
because nobody can logically prove whether it is or is not valid. and religion is a touchy subject, politicians don't want to isolate anyone.
1038454
That is pretty much up to the Church. That is not only "private" property, but Church property. Most jurisdictions "cut Churches some slack" for such events. IF the "fund raiser" is for the direct benefit of the Church or one of it's non-profit groups, there should be no problem.
304282
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.
260270
I think that the Unied States government should not spend money on churches- being that the church and state are supposed to be unconnected... i think the money should go to the children that are hungry on the streets of the inner cities.... or maybe some of it should go to feeeding dieing children elsewhere in the world, there are starving people everywhere and yet millions of dollars go into the building of extravagent churches around the world....
913266
Jennifer I think you might have innocently equated Mosques = Churches. A church is a Christian Organisation; eg the Catholic Church, the Pentecostal Church. Whereas a mosque is just a place of worship.\nSo to answer your question, yes. Muslims do give 2.5% of what they earn or save in the fiscal year to the (Islamic) Treasury as Zakaat (a form of tithe). Zakaat is the 4th pillar of Islam and the collection is distributed to the poor and the deserving others such as orphans, widows, students etc.\nThere are many verses in the Quran and Hadith that extol charity.\n\nThe problem with the Muslim world, if you must know, is that of ignorance and greed. Not many people know prayers, let alone almsgiving. The oil-producing absolute monarchies of the Islamic World must satisfy and maintain their Main clients of the West and at the same time maintain the status quo (of ignorant subjects) in order that the absolutists may perpetuate and therefore are left unchallenged. \nThat more or less explains the abject poverty of the Muslim world.\n(My views alone; not shared by many)
422606
Hmmm, I think they all do.  I could be wrong, but as far as I have ever seen, all the religion organizations are tax exempt.  This is because the government cannot be paid by a religion, a church, or whatever, because it would be a conflict of interest and a mixing of church and state.
442336
The REASON The Church Is In It Is Because There Is A Provision In HR4437 That States\n\nAnyone or any organization who “assists” an individual without documentation “to reside in or remain” in the United States knowingly or with “reckless disregard” as to the individual’s legal status would be liable for criminal penalties and five years in prison.   This could include church personnel who provide shelter or other basic needs assistance to an undocumented individual.   Property used in this act would be subject to seizure and forfeiture. \n\nMany Illegal Immigrants Rely On The Generousity Of The Church
345496
They are more important to the tax collector, however churches are very important because they give society a connection to something that is more important than just the day to day wants and desires.  Life is more important than just what you own, or what movie you saw last, or the last party you went to.