Eryx….the Christian religion was always given exemption from certain taxes, while salary officials pay income and social security personal taxes.
The rational has always been that while a local church does not receive particular government benefits, costing the taxpayers nothing, the teachings benefit society by encouraging lawabiding citizens who usually do not require police expenditures, or welfare spending, etc…
Local and groups of churches do offer services to the poor and to the needy and also help in disasters…..in Katrina the Salvation Army and church groups did more to help people than the feds or state, in the early aftermath of the floods.
if you tax churches, it will set off consequences of new activities such as political participation….more like the Pre-Revolutionary churches activity in bringing about the separation from the oppressive English government…
Eryx….the Christian religion was always given exemption from certain taxes, while salary officials pay income and social security personal taxes.
The rational has always been that while a local church does not receive particular government benefits, costing the taxpayers nothing, the teachings benefit society by encouraging lawabiding citizens who usually do not require police expenditures, or welfare spending, etc…
Local and groups of churches do offer services to the poor and to the needy and also help in disasters…..in Katrina the Salvation Army and church groups did more to help people than the feds or state, in the early aftermath of the floods.
if you tax churches, it will set off consequences of new activities such as political participation….more like the Pre-Revolutionary churches activity in bringing about the separation from the oppressive English government…