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I wish the OP had included "don't care" in the poll. I honestly don't care. In Austin, we have a significant problem with the plain and simple fact that the state owns a huge amount of real estate. In fact, if all that real estate were taxable, I have no doubt that Austin would have much better schools, streets, sidewalks, parks, etc., etc., and so on to infinity. Do I want the state to move the capitol? Of course not. You just adapt and live with the situation. I figure churches are kinda like that. Is it "fair" that a non-religious person such as myself has to pay a higher tax rate in order to "cover" what churches aren't paying? No, it is not, in my opinion, but I just don't care. The majority seem to be OK with it. It is established law. It has been that way since I can remember, and before. Big hairy ****ing deal.
While I'm against making churches pay taxes, I do think that the state government should pay the local governments their fair share of property taxes, and the Federal government should pay the state and local governments their fair share. It's not as big a deal in Texas, but it's a huge deal out West where the Federal government owns 70-80% of the land in some states.
They can have a portion taxed that is not used for community service. for instance if they have a feed/clothe the poor or feeding school children during the summer, those funds should not be taxed. Income used to buy property, build new facilities or whatever can be taxed. but if a church builds a gym that is open to kids after school so they don't get in trouble, I don't think taxing it is the best move.
I don't see the difference, wes. What's the difference between the various religions not paying property taxes on the various houses of worship, and the various governments not paying taxes to the governmental entities lower in the food chain, to someone who isn't religious? An analogy is the childless individual or family paying for schools via their property taxes. One assumes it is for the "greater good." Both of my children go to or went to public schools in Austin (magnet schools), so we have benefited. We're that "greater good." Does religion fall under the "greater good" category? It is certainly a matter of opinion. I just don't care.
I haven't had a chance to read through this thread but I say no. The separation of church and state has to go both ways and while there are many who abuse the tax free status of churches I think the alternative of taxing all of them will be more detrimental for religion freedom than just putting up with the abuses.
I can't speak for all higher end (very very low percentage of churches in the US) churches, but I do Believe Osteen makes most of his money outside of his church - mainly his book sales. We have a very similiar situation here where I work - (2nd largest Christian TV Network in the world). The cofounder makes a LOT of money off her book which was on the NYT Best Seller list for a few months. But the book is completely seperate from the company. We operate much like a church..except the 2 times a year that we ask for donations..that money is not used to operate the Network. It goes into a completely seperate account and is used ONLY for expanding the network or for Missions, giving, and Charitable organizations. (our overhead is taken care of by our programmers - Osteen, etc..pay to be on our network). We've given over $46 million dollars away in the last 10yrs. If we were taxed on that, it would have cut the amount we gave away to probably closer to $25 million - Sure, thats $20million the Gov would have, but its also $20million taken away from the poor and needy. My point - most churches/Charitable organizations meet needs in and around their area that the Government doesn't have the ability to deal with. You can argue that the Government could've used that tax money to deal with the problem, but the Government needs a LOT more money to do the same amount of work that Charitable organizations can do for less. Why? 1. Volunteers - Charities & Churches better utilize volunteers, so they can accomplish more with less overhead. 2. Bureacracy..paperwork..etc. Governments have a lot more red tape to get things done. Churches are not there to "Sell Religion" - sure, they share the love of Christ (good churches anyway), but they also meet some serious needs. Free marriage counseling & premarriage Counseling (30% less divorces in couples with Premarriage counseling) - emotional support, yes, sometimes even financial support, my church support food banks, blood banks, orphanages etc..and we're rarely in the black at the end of the year.
Churches aren't tying up 80% of the property in a state, renting it out to corporate interests that use government services, and then not paying for it.
This is probably the biggest problem. A pastor of a big church doesn't even need an official salary, and can live comfortably off "love gifts", esp. if he gears his message towards giving and generosity. (They also make $$ from book/dvd sales, but I'm guessing that is taxed.)
Separation of church and state does *not* have to go both ways. Churches are not exempt from the law of the land.
Thank goodness for the Republic of Texas! Our treaty with the United States didn't allow for public property to become Federal property upon Texas deciding to join the States. The only Federal property in Texas, to my knowledge, is property bought by the Feds from Texas, or given to the Feds by Texas just because we felt like it. If I'm wrong on that, I'm sure someone will correct me. I understand your consternation about the Federal government owning an enormous chunk of whatever state you reside in (can't remember). It kills tax revenue, similar to what happens in Austin, in a way. Your problem isn't exactly our problem, however. Our problem is a Governor, Lt. Governor, and Legislature that would be better served serving the public, instead of serving special interests and their lobbyists.
I'm a proud native Texan, and Texas homeowner. I happen to be living in Alberta now, but that's only temporary.
Just to blow everyone's mind...in Germany, the churches tax YOU, and the government collects the taxes for them.
As to the why, I think it is ridiculous. It has some strange historical roots. They take the money together with your income tax. Here is some more info on it: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Church_tax
