TOTALLY GEEKED!

Members Login
Username 
 
Password 
    Remember Me  
Post Info TOPIC: Tax exemption for religious organizations and same sex marriage


My spirit animal is a pink flamingo.

Status: Offline
Posts: 38325
Date:
Tax exemption for religious organizations and same sex marriage
Permalink  
 


So I just heard this on a local news channel. Looked for an article but couldn't find the one they were talking about.

But the gist of it was, Freedom From Religion is a tempting to get the tax exempt status of religious organizations revoked in order to force them to accept same sex couples.

I don't know the details, but the hope is that it will include churches and force ministers to perform same sex marriages.

I'm still looking for the article. If any one finds it, please post it.

Thoughts on the subject?



__________________

A flock of flirting flamingos is pure, passionate, pink pandemonium-a frenetic flamingle-mangle-a discordant discotheque of delirious dancing, flamboyant feathers, and flamingo lingo.



Guru

Status: Offline
Posts: 9186
Date:
Permalink  
 

freedomfromreligion.org and freedomfromreligion.com are both websites that are for sale, currently being used only for advertising.

 

This might not be real.



__________________

The Principle of Least Interest: He who cares least about a relationship, controls it.

Always misinterpret when you can.



My spirit animal is a pink flamingo.

Status: Offline
Posts: 38325
Date:
Permalink  
 

They are still a movement.

And I'm not real sure they are leading this or just part of it.



__________________

A flock of flirting flamingos is pure, passionate, pink pandemonium-a frenetic flamingle-mangle-a discordant discotheque of delirious dancing, flamboyant feathers, and flamingo lingo.

JPT


Senior Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 651
Date:
Permalink  
 

Churches are just another "business" Why should they be exempt?



__________________


Guru

Status: Offline
Posts: 9186
Date:
Permalink  
 

JPT wrote:

Churches are just another "business" Why should they be exempt?


No they are a religious institution.  A place where we can practice our Religious Freedom. 



__________________


Hooker

Status: Offline
Posts: 12666
Date:
Permalink  
 

I'm on the fence about this one. If you want tax exempt status, you must follow their rules. I do not want the government telling my church what they can and cannot do. And when they hold the purse strings, that's exactly what happens....

__________________

America guarantees equal opportunity, not equal outcome...



On the bright side...... Christmas is coming! (Mod)

Status: Offline
Posts: 27192
Date:
Permalink  
 

JPT wrote:

Churches are just another "business" Why should they be exempt?


 Churches are not businesses - they are charitable organizations.  Much of the money is used to help the poor and needy. 

And the problem you have is that many churches are very small and barely get by.  If the government were to tax them, they would not be able to afford to be.  And THAT would be an infringemnt on freedom of religion.  Churches don't have profit, they use the money for the church and for charity.  If you take away their tax exempt status - you would have to take away everyone's tax exempt status, ESPECIALLY non-profit political organizations.

 



__________________

LawyerLady

 

I can explain it to you, but I can't understand it for you. 

JPT


Senior Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 651
Date:
Permalink  
 

So, take the charitable contribution write off like the rest.

Plenty of businesses are small and barely get by.

Plenty of religious folks don't want their tax dollars used for things they don't believe in. Why should MY tax dollars support what I don't believe in.

__________________


My spirit animal is a pink flamingo.

Status: Offline
Posts: 38325
Date:
Permalink  
 

Churches don't pay or receive tax of any kind. None that I am aware of.

So how would your taxes be supporting a church if you don't believe in it?

__________________

A flock of flirting flamingos is pure, passionate, pink pandemonium-a frenetic flamingle-mangle-a discordant discotheque of delirious dancing, flamboyant feathers, and flamingo lingo.



Guru

Status: Offline
Posts: 10215
Date:
Permalink  
 

JPT wrote:

Churches are just another "business" Why should they be exempt?


 So, are you going to tax the juvenile diabetes foundation?  The make a wish people?  Museums?  



__________________

I'm not arguing, I'm just explaining why I'm right.

 

Well, I could agree with you--but then we'd both be wrong.



On the bright side...... Christmas is coming! (Mod)

Status: Offline
Posts: 27192
Date:
Permalink  
 

JPT wrote:

So, take the charitable contribution write off like the rest.

Plenty of businesses are small and barely get by.

Plenty of religious folks don't want their tax dollars used for things they don't believe in. Why should MY tax dollars support what I don't believe in.


Churches don't get your federal or state dollars so how are your tax dollars supporting it? 

And that goes the other way, too - why should church members money given to churches be forced to pay taxes and support things they don't believe in?



__________________

LawyerLady

 

I can explain it to you, but I can't understand it for you. 

JPT


Senior Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 651
Date:
Permalink  
 

They get a tax exemption. Therefor my tax dollars have to make up the difference.

And if a church is barely getting by, then how much do they give to charity? They pretty much can pay for clubhouse repairs, and pay the leader.

And most of the "charity" here is running VBS, and other outreach programs that mostly are just fishing for more members.

__________________


Sniff...sniff, sniff. Yay! A Bum!

Status: Offline
Posts: 7536
Date:
Permalink  
 

Lawyerlady wrote:
JPT wrote:

Churches are just another "business" Why should they be exempt?


 Churches are not businesses - they are charitable organizations.  Much of the money is used to help the poor and needy. 

And the problem you have is that many churches are very small and barely get by.  If the government were to tax them, they would not be able to afford to be.  And THAT would be an infringemnt on freedom of religion.  Churches don't have profit, they use the money for the church and for charity.  If you take away their tax exempt status - you would have to take away everyone's tax exempt status, ESPECIALLY non-profit political organizations.

 


 I have seen the annual budgets of quite a few churches. Most of the money goes to facilities upkeep/utilities and salaries. Very little of the actual monies collected in the collection plates goes to charities. The money that DOES go to charities is often collected in a separate offering earmarked specifically for that charity. Sunday offerings are used for the upkeep of the church - let's be honest. 



__________________

Out of all the lies I have told, "just kidding" is my favorite ! 



Guru

Status: Offline
Posts: 1586
Date:
Permalink  
 


don't care whether they're struggling or not, successful or not, big or small--if their specific purpose and function is to worship and minister then they are and ought to be exempt from taxation--don't care if they're a church, mosque, temple, etc.--separation of church and state is fundamental to this country and it will remain so

__________________

" the only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing. "--edmund burke

 



Guru

Status: Offline
Posts: 10215
Date:
Permalink  
 

burns07 wrote:


don't care whether they're struggling or not, successful or not, big or small--if their specific purpose and function is to worship and minister then they are and ought to be exempt from taxation--don't care if they're a church, mosque, temple, etc.--separation of church and state is fundamental to this country and it will remain so


 Not if some have their way.



__________________

I'm not arguing, I'm just explaining why I'm right.

 

Well, I could agree with you--but then we'd both be wrong.



Guru

Status: Offline
Posts: 10215
Date:
Permalink  
 

That's a good point, though. If younwantb separation of church and state, then they should be tax exempt. If you want churches to pay taxes, then they should have a say in how tax dollars are spent.

__________________

I'm not arguing, I'm just explaining why I'm right.

 

Well, I could agree with you--but then we'd both be wrong.



Hooker

Status: Offline
Posts: 12666
Date:
Permalink  
 

huskerbb wrote:

That's a good point, though. If younwantb separation of church and state, then they should be tax exempt. If you want churches to pay taxes, then they should have a say in how tax dollars are spent.


Do YOU have a say on how your tax dollars are spent?  That's just ridiculous. 



__________________

America guarantees equal opportunity, not equal outcome...



Guru

Status: Offline
Posts: 10215
Date:
Permalink  
 

Ohfour wrote:
huskerbb wrote:

That's a good point, though. If younwantb separation of church and state, then they should be tax exempt. If you want churches to pay taxes, then they should have a say in how tax dollars are spent.


Do YOU have a say on how your tax dollars are spent?  That's just ridiculous. 


 ????  Don't you vote?  Talk to your congressman?  Businesses lobby--and don't think for a sexond they don't have influence.



__________________

I'm not arguing, I'm just explaining why I'm right.

 

Well, I could agree with you--but then we'd both be wrong.



Hooker

Status: Offline
Posts: 12666
Date:
Permalink  
 

huskerbb wrote:
Ohfour wrote:
huskerbb wrote:

That's a good point, though. If younwantb separation of church and state, then they should be tax exempt. If you want churches to pay taxes, then they should have a say in how tax dollars are spent.


Do YOU have a say on how your tax dollars are spent?  That's just ridiculous. 


 ????  Don't you vote?  Talk to your congressman?  Businesses lobby--and don't think for a sexond they don't have influence.


And how does a church go about that? 



__________________

America guarantees equal opportunity, not equal outcome...



Guru

Status: Offline
Posts: 10215
Date:
Permalink  
 

Ohfour wrote:
huskerbb wrote:
Ohfour wrote:
huskerbb wrote:

That's a good point, though. If younwantb separation of church and state, then they should be tax exempt. If you want churches to pay taxes, then they should have a say in how tax dollars are spent.


Do YOU have a say on how your tax dollars are spent?  That's just ridiculous. 


 ????  Don't you vote?  Talk to your congressman?  Businesses lobby--and don't think for a sexond they don't have influence.


And how does a church go about that? 


 If their dollars are going to the government, then the line between church and state is blurred, and churches would have A good argument for things like prayer in schools, further restricting abortions, etc...



__________________

I'm not arguing, I'm just explaining why I'm right.

 

Well, I could agree with you--but then we'd both be wrong.



On the bright side...... Christmas is coming! (Mod)

Status: Offline
Posts: 27192
Date:
Permalink  
 

JPT wrote:

They get a tax exemption. Therefor my tax dollars have to make up the difference.

And if a church is barely getting by, then how much do they give to charity? They pretty much can pay for clubhouse repairs, and pay the leader.

And most of the "charity" here is running VBS, and other outreach programs that mostly are just fishing for more members.


 So do a LOT of organizations.  And many churches PURPOSE is to give to charity.  If you tax them, they won't be able to. 



__________________

LawyerLady

 

I can explain it to you, but I can't understand it for you. 



On the bright side...... Christmas is coming! (Mod)

Status: Offline
Posts: 27192
Date:
Permalink  
 

And I still want an answer - churches are non-profit, why should they be taxed when other non-profits are not?



__________________

LawyerLady

 

I can explain it to you, but I can't understand it for you. 



On the bright side...... Christmas is coming! (Mod)

Status: Offline
Posts: 27192
Date:
Permalink  
 

These are tax exempt gay and lesbian groups and I don't agree with what they are promoting - so they shouldn't be tax exempt, either.







Top Nonprofit

Mission

1 Medal-small-2012 Lambda Legal
At Lambda Legal, we imagine a world without discrimination and inequality, and we work to achieve that vision every day. We make the case for equality...
more

2 Medal-small-2012 American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU)
The American Civil Liberties Union is our nation's guardian of liberty, working daily in courts, legislatures and communities to defend and preserve the...
more

3 Medal-small-2012 Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Network (GLSEN)
The Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network strives to assure that each member of every school community is valued and respected regardless of sexual...




more

4 Medal-small-2012 National Center for Lesbian Rights
The National Center for Lesbian Rights is a national legal organization committed to advancing the civil and human rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and...
more

5 Medal-small-2012 National Gay and Lesbian Task Force
The mission of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force is to build the grassroots power of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community....
more

6 Medal-small-2012 National Center for Transgender Equality
The National Center for Transgender Equality is a national social justice organization devoted to ending discrimination and violence against transgender...


more

7 Medal-small-2012 Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders (GLAD)
Founded in 1978, Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders (GLAD) is New England’s leading legal rights organization dedicated to ending discrimination...
more

8 Medal-small-2012 Parents Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG)
PFLAG promotes the health and well-being of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender persons, their families and friends through: support, to cope...
more

9 Medal-small-2012 Services & Advocacy for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, & Transgender Elders (SAGE)
SAGE is the world's oldest and largest non-profit agency dedicated to serving lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender older people. Since its inception,...
more

10 Medal-small-2012 Williams Institute
The Williams Institute is dedicated to conducting rigorous, independent research on sexual orientation and gender identity law and public policy. A national...
more

11 Medal-small-2012 Human Rights Campaign Foundation
By inspiring and engaging all Americans, Human Rights Campaign strives to end discrimination against LGBT citizens and realize a nation that achieves...


more

12 Medal-small-2012 Transgender Law Center
Transgender Law Center works to change law, policy, and attitudes so that all people can live safely, authentically, and free from discrimination regardless...
more

13 Medal-small-2012 Southern Poverty Law Center
The Southern Poverty Law Center is a nonprofit civil rights organization dedicated to fighting hate and bigotry, and to seeking justice for the most vulnerable...
more

14 Medal-small-2012 Freedom to Marry
Freedom to Marry is the campaign working to win marriage nationwide. We partner with a diverse range of organizations and supporters across the country...
more

15 Medal-small-2012 The Trevor Project
The Trevor Project is determined to end suicide among LGBTQ youth by providing life-saving and life-affirming resources including our nationwide, 24/7...
more

16 Medal-small-2012 Gay-Straight Alliance Network (GSA Network)
Gay-Straight Alliance Network is a national youth leadership organization that connects school-based Gay-Straight Alliances (GSAs) to each other and community...
more

17 Medal-small-2012 Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD)
The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) amplifies the voice of the LGBT community by empowering real people to share their stories,...
more

18 Medal-small-2012 Sylvia Rivera Law Project
The Sylvia Rivera Law Project (SRLP) works to guarantee that all people are free to self-determine their gender identity and expression, regardless of...
more

19 Medal-small-2012 CenterLink
CenterLink exists to support the development of strong, sustainable LGBT community centers and to build a unified center movement.




__________________

LawyerLady

 

I can explain it to you, but I can't understand it for you. 



Guru

Status: Offline
Posts: 10215
Date:
Permalink  
 

Lawyerlady wrote:

And I still want an answer - churches are non-profit, why should they be taxed when other non-profits are not?


Yeah, I asked that, also.

 

<crickets chirping> 



__________________

I'm not arguing, I'm just explaining why I'm right.

 

Well, I could agree with you--but then we'd both be wrong.



Guru

Status: Offline
Posts: 10215
Date:
Permalink  
 

Planned Parenthood is tax exempt AND gets direct government support--and I certainly don't agree with what they are doing seeing as how they are highly racist and all. Yet my tax dollars support them.

__________________

I'm not arguing, I'm just explaining why I'm right.

 

Well, I could agree with you--but then we'd both be wrong.



On the bright side...... Christmas is coming! (Mod)

Status: Offline
Posts: 27192
Date:
Permalink  
 

And when is the last time the NAACP gave a scholarship to a Mexican or caucasion?

Or the last time The Abby Foundation gave a scholarship to a man?



__________________

LawyerLady

 

I can explain it to you, but I can't understand it for you. 



Guru

Status: Offline
Posts: 1586
Date:
Permalink  
 


well, am not well-informed about planned parenthood so will leave that to others but is some of the above noted homosexual organizations try to claim exemptions under the aegis or guise of " freedom of religion " then I would want to see the literature from ANY recognized, legitimate religion on this planet that actively supports and condones homosexuality

__________________

" the only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing. "--edmund burke

 



My spirit animal is a pink flamingo.

Status: Offline
Posts: 38325
Date:
Permalink  
 

You know what church pays to the state? The church of England.

And America was colonized to get away from the reach of the church.

So should the churches be taxed? Cause I gotta tell ya, between the Methodists, Baptists and Church of God, not to mention the Catholic and Mormon, prayer would not only be in school, the Bible would be part of the curriculum. Along with a whole other host of things the secular world don't want.

No abortion, no divorce, no Sunday anything.



__________________

A flock of flirting flamingos is pure, passionate, pink pandemonium-a frenetic flamingle-mangle-a discordant discotheque of delirious dancing, flamboyant feathers, and flamingo lingo.



My spirit animal is a pink flamingo.

Status: Offline
Posts: 38325
Date:
Permalink  
 

And you can bet your life there would be no gay anything.

__________________

A flock of flirting flamingos is pure, passionate, pink pandemonium-a frenetic flamingle-mangle-a discordant discotheque of delirious dancing, flamboyant feathers, and flamingo lingo.



Guru

Status: Offline
Posts: 3029
Date:
Permalink  
 

If it keeps government out of churches and churches out of government, I support them being tax exempt.

__________________
Page 1 of 1  sorted by
 
Quick Reply

Please log in to post quick replies.



Create your own FREE Forum
Report Abuse
Powered by ActiveBoard