Tax-exempt status of the Catholic Church

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hannajomar

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What would the advantages and disadvantages be if the Church gave up its tax-exempt status in the United States?

Of course the obvious disadvantage of giving this up would be less money for Church ministries. But what would the deeper ramifications be of our Church doing this? Do you think this will ever happen?
 
I see no advantages besides maybe people will realize they have to stand up for the Church because there are people who really don’t like it.

The state should work for the Church, not the other way around.
 
This is not something the Church can choose to “give up” or “keep.” The US government will decide how that goes. As you state in your OP, there are ramifications to the ministries.

I suppose that if the citizens want to, they can outlaw the church altogether (it happens in various countries all the time). Perhaps it will happen in the US.

The question comes down to what will we do as followers of Christ. Am I willing to trade everything I have to take a stand? I want to say, “yes.” But, maybe I’m just like St. Peter on Holy Thursday.

The reality of the Church is that it is all about supporting the poor and the sick. If money is pulled from the Catholic organizations - then they support fewer people. People may suffer needlessly.
 
hannajomar said:
Of course the obvious disadvantage of giving this up would be less money for Church ministries. But what would the deeper ramifications be of our Church doing this? Do you think this will ever happen?
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The U.S. Supreme Court, by a vote of 8-1, upheld the tax exemption of churches in Walz v. Tax Commission of the City of New York, 397 U.S. 664 (1970). Walz, a self-described Christian who did not belong to any church and owned real estate in Richmond County, N.Y., sued the tax committee over property tax exemption for churches. Walz claimed he and other taxpayers were forced to indirectly subsidize churches.

The majority decision, written by Chief Justice Burger, held that the tax exempt status granted to all houses of worship is the same privilege given to other nonprofit organizations.

The Supreme Court almost never ever goes back and disagrees with an earlier decision, so I think its safe.
 
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