Churches (and lodges, and other private clubs) should pay taxes on member-benefit activities. They should be tax-exempt only for true charitable work, which has to be no strings attached (e.g. you don't have to allow them to attempt to proselytize you in exchange for the service, or make a "profession of faith" or join the organization, or sit through some sort of lessons or other propaganda).

I don't think it's a question of non-discrimination so much as a question of unconditionality. It is far easier to determine if conditions are attached than to objectively demonstrate discrimination.

The core of this problem, the reason we're even discussing it, is that "member-benefit" activities have been allowed to be tax-free, for churches AND certain other organizations. The tax code has become lax in that it effectively grants tax exemptions on the mere basis that you are a non-profit organization. This doesn't really mean very much. Non-profits take in money just like for-profits. They can take in more than they spend, just like for-profits. They just are restricted in what they can do with the profits they allegedly don't have. The only actual difference is that a non-profit has no owners to whom it is duty-bound to try to deliver return on investment to. Instead of profits being delivered to the owners they are recycled into the organization's mission.

But there are still people running the organization, and money is still power. Even though the money doesn't (or isn't supposed to) be funneled into anyone's pocket, it still can be coveted and used as a power base.

So the only way I see out of this is for non-profits to be required to provide actual benefits TO SOCIETY according to clearly defined criteria or else pay taxes like everyone else. This involves providing for basic human needs -- food, shelter or clothing for the indigent, health services for those who can't afford them, things like that. And it involves providing them without condition.

Ironically for example in my town at least, government services have been known to be effectively withheld from people because they are unemployed or addicted to drugs, and it is organizations like Catholic Charities that these people end up getting help from. In this case, especially since CC is organizationally distinct from the Church and receives 95% or more of its funding from direct donations rather than church subsidies, it absolutely qualifies as tax-exempt despite it being a nominally religious organization. It qualifies more than the government itself!

So I think this concept could be sold if properly presented and framed. It is not anti-religion, it is just that the tax authorities will not exempt your new sanctuary or educational / Sunday School wing or its parking lot, etc., except to whatever extent it is unambiguously used for social services without strings attached (similar to how I can deduct some of my property taxes and utilities for the portion of my house that's used exclusively as an office for my business). Indoctrination and proselytization is not a social service. Neither is child care in which religious instruction is given -- that is an attached string and that is both indoctrination and proselytization.

Ironically this tax reform would incentivize such organizations to devote more of their mission to real public service rather than to propagandizing their ideology.

Yes, churches should pay taxes.

The Pope is for equality around the globe. He may actually be an atheist, who started out a devout Roman catholic and lost his belief along the way. He's the least corrupt and most progressive.

AND, he said the big bang and evolution are real, instructing believers around the world to get on board. He claimed God "is not a magician with a magic wand."

Of course, he can't admit he's an atheist at this point. The world would freak out and he'd have a hard time finding another job.

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There should be no special privilege for religion. Churches can be tax free as non profits or charities so long as they abide by the existing rules for those.Tax exempt status for churches should be abolished.
Moreover there should be no link to human rights. You don't get to say "OK I'll pay taxes if that's what it takes to be homophobic"

I think churches should be taxed as they are all receiving benefits from society that cost the government and citizens money. Road maintenance, police and fire departments and a host of other perks are all a benefit to every church in the country. To claim exemption, they should have to prove they do not benefit from those services. As well, the instant a church becomes political, they have lost their right to claim they are not for profit. When they spend millions of dollars to change the outcome of any elections or vote, they are at that point profiting from their own behavior and having a major influence on society.