Should The Church Pay Taxes?

[DaveBj]

Which is exactly why I’m of two minds on the subject. On one hand, lift the shackles off the pulpit. On the other, the government is the WORST administrator of charitable funds possible. So why give them more and those who efficiently administer them less?
I don’t know the ‘right’ answer. If a congregation (regardless of denomination) is not going to be good and watchful stewards of their money, that’s up to them I suppose.

You said a MOUTHFUL right there!

 

[kdbueno]

The state cannot function probably without citizens fully paying taxes.

 

[EasterJoy]

The government should never be permitted to tax religious organizations because the danger is that they can simply raise taxes as a backdoor way of suppressing that religion.

Exactly. Regular religious participation improves health, lowers the likelihood that people will commit crimes, and increases the likelihood that they will engage in volunteer work and responsible citizenship, too.

I’m fine with the Church of Atheism getting their tax break. Just keep the government out of our gatherings. At worst, remove the tax deduction for those making contributions, but don’t tax not-for-profits and religious organizations. In spite of the shysters here and there, those organizations do far more good for society than the government could do.

 

[EasterJoy]

The state cannot function probably without citizens fully paying taxes.

Governments need money to run, but it doesn’t need to come from taxes. The citizens don’t pay any taxes in Qatar. They don’t pay for electricity or health care. The country has so much oil wealth, it doesn’t need the citizens to pay to make the government run. In fact, that particular government makes so much money that it pays stipends to its citizens, to spread the wealth around.

Churches and other non-profits contribute to the public good in a way that is pennies on the dollar compared to trying to reach the same results by governmental programs. More to the point (and as many in Qatar know), it is more important that people contribute personally to their society than that they kick in money to make it function.

 

[Theo520]

In Canada, every part of the Church that isn’t directly related to Worship is taxed. (Property tax, that is.) This would include: the rectory, kitchen, hall, meeting rooms, library, etc. Oddly enough, a lot of Canadians don’t know this.

I think in the US they only pay property taxes on income generating or investment property the church may hold. Canada does seem a bit stingy in their approach since the rectory, kitchen et al are integral to the church executing it’s community mission.