Petition to remove tax exempt status from churches.

[RogueWarrior]

WE PETITION THE OBAMA ADMINISTRATION TO:

remove the tax exempt status of all churches in the United States.

We the People of the United States, demand that the tax exempt status of all churches in the U.S., be removed immediately and that there be no government funding of ANY religion. Keep the separation of church and state! Taxpayers who do not believe or agree with the current religious influence on policy should not have to fund the religious right with tax money. Eliminating the tax exemption status for churches would solve poverty in the United States. We no longer want to fund religions who think the Bible trumps the Constitution.

https://petitions.whitehouse.gov/pe...pt-status-all-churches-united-states/SJ95WZzZ

Get the word out!

 

[CanadaJohn]

https://petitions.whitehouse.gov/pe...pt-status-all-churches-united-states/SJ95WZzZ

Get the word out!

Will be interesting to see how far you get with this. Seems about 65% of the American public donate to their place of worship and I'm pretty sure they won't be happy if they don't get their charitable donation voucher for tax deduction purposes if their church loses its status.

 

[TheNextEra]

I agree for the removal of tax exempt status, but not for the reasons you stated nor just the inclusion of churches. I think tax exempt status needs to be removed for EVERYBODY.

 

[MaggieD]

Will be interesting to see how far you get with this. Seems about 65% of the American public donate to their place of worship and I'm pretty sure they won't be happy if they don't get their charitable donation voucher for tax deduction purposes if their church loses its status.

I never even thought of that! I was thinking that the churches themselves don't get much benefit from their tax-exempt status. It's not like they're really making money. But donations? They would most certainly dry up.

 

[CanadaJohn]

I never even thought of that! I was thinking that the churches themselves don't get much benefit from their tax-exempt status. It's not like they're really making money. But donations? They would most certainly dry up.

It would be interesting as well, from my perspective, to see if removing the tax exempt status from churches could be considered unconstitutional based on unfair application of the law solely on the basis of religion.

 

[digsbe]

Sounds more like a "We don't like Christians so let's hit them hard" with banter about it ending poverty in the US.

A church is a non-profit, they should be tax exempt and religious aspects aside many act as charities doing good in their communities. You might not like their message but it's shameful that you'd like to try and harm or impair the ability of people of faith to congregate because you don't like what they believe. Separation of church and state means the state isn't going to force charges (taxes) for people to worship freely and congregate. Separation of church and state is not this misconception that the state must hinder, persecute or remove the rights of the church or the free speech people of faith are allowed to have and the votes they are allowed to cast in accordance with their convictions like anyone else, secular or otherwise.

 

[Rainman05]

I don't think the state should treat the churches like a company. It will only lead to churches starting aggressive campaigns to gain "customers" rather than servicing the faithful.

That being said, if you think that churches are already acting like companies, fine, that's that, remove tax exempt status. If not... well... separation of church and state is there to go both ways. You let the business of the church alone and it leaves the business of the state alone. If you think that one of the parties is currently not holding up that end of the bargain, then fine... but expect consequences of the nature that the church will start to interfere in govt affairs similarly to how companies to. But if you think it is already doing this, then nothing will change. If you don't... then you are going to end up in a worst position than before.
These are my thoughts on the matter.

 

[Master PO]

I believe the repeal of the 16th amendment would be more in order.

 

[joG]

https://petitions.whitehouse.gov/pe...pt-status-all-churches-united-states/SJ95WZzZ

Get the word out!

Why? I don't think you would want the government invading the privacy of religious organizations.

 

[joG]

I never even thought of that! I was thinking that the churches themselves don't get much benefit from their tax-exempt status. It's not like they're really making money. But donations? They would most certainly dry up.

I don't really think I like the idea of the government getting involved with religious organizations in any way.

 

[Goshin]

https://petitions.whitehouse.gov/pe...pt-status-all-churches-united-states/SJ95WZzZ

Get the word out!

Errum....


They're not being FUNDED by tax dollars. That isn't what exempt means.

 

[Fletch]

https://petitions.whitehouse.gov/pe...pt-status-all-churches-united-states/SJ95WZzZ

Get the word out!

No. I see no reason to support efforts by angry atheists to further enrich an already bloated and omnipresent state.

 

[Summerwind]

https://petitions.whitehouse.gov/pe...pt-status-all-churches-united-states/SJ95WZzZ Get the word out!

Done, thank you.

 

[Bob Blaylock]

Sounds more like a "We don't like Christians so let's hit them hard" with banter about it ending poverty in the US.

A church is a non-profit, they should be tax exempt and religious aspects aside many act as charities doing good in their communities. You might not like their message but it's shameful that you'd like to try and harm or impair the ability of people of faith to congregate because you don't like what they believe. Separation of church and state means the state isn't going to force charges (taxes) for people to worship freely and congregate. Separation of church and state is not this misconception that the state must hinder, persecute or remove the rights of the church or the free speech people of faith are allowed to have and the votes they are allowed to cast in accordance with their convictions like anyone else, secular or otherwise.

Indeed, one of the most bizarre doctrines of the far-wrong is the idea that the First Amendment not only allows, but requires government to suppress and censor the expression and practice of religious beliefs, and, here, to intrude upon them to the degree needed to tax them.

 

[Bob Blaylock]

Errum....


They're not being FUNDED by tax dollars. That isn't what exempt means.

To those on the far-wrong, not paying taxes constitutes being funded by the government. Even paying taxes, if it is less than the wrongist thinks one should have to pay, amounts to being funded by the government. The wrong-wing fails to grasp the difference between government giving money that it has taken from someone else, and government generously allowing one to keep what money one has rightfully earned.

 

[MAGAnificent]

Will be interesting to see how far you get with this. Seems about 65% of the American public donate to their place of worship and I'm pretty sure they won't be happy if they don't get their charitable donation voucher for tax deduction purposes if their church loses its status.

It's just wishful thinking on the part of progressives. They will get nowhere with this.

 

[Aunt Spiker]

https://petitions.whitehouse.gov/pe...pt-status-all-churches-united-states/SJ95WZzZ

Get the word out!

Why?

My father's church actually helps support the community more than most people can imagine - remove tax exempt status will make the church FOLD. People will then no longer have access to a soup kitchen and free basic medical care - or a storm shelter.

Good going.
*Sarcastic clap*

They already tax minister's as if they're self-employed even though they're technically under the guise and leadership of bishops and others. So I think it's an asshat move and a bull**** concept. Major dickery.

You going to step up and make up for hte loss of charity? I have a feeling that you won't.

 

[VanceMack]

https://petitions.whitehouse.gov/pe...pt-status-all-churches-united-states/SJ95WZzZ

Get the word out!

Surely they mean the government should revoke tax status of ALL non-profit organizations, right?

 

[Lethargic Aptitude]

Tax evasion oops I mean tax exemption status bought this asshole a $1.7m mansion. In 2012 the Elevation Church pulled in 20m-30 million and the guy got 5m of that as take home. Affording him to live like most rich people do buying expensive bling.



Think that at the very least there should be a cut off point for so called nonprofit organizations when they start paying taxes. No need to pick on just religious organizations/churches. Or at the very least let them keep their nonprofit status for the organization but still tax the individuals incomes. After all if you are making money working for anyone it is you that is profiting not the nonprofit organization. The megachurch shyster above should at the very least be taxed for his income as ceo of the nonprofit company that he works for.

Just google "megachurch mansion" and you will find many multi-million dollar mansions bought with tax exempt monies. Obviously the nonprofit status is being abused.

But also a search for nonprofit mansion brings up non church mansions. People should quit living on other peoples support right? Pay your own damn way no matter wtf you believe. ANd before Conservative's chime in, no I am not a liberal so save me that rant.

 

[MaggieD]

I don't really think I like the idea of the government getting involved with religious organizations in any way.

Then you should be happy with things exactly as they are. The "business" of being a church is not-for-profit. No income taxes paid. If they are paying income tax? They can make donations to politicians and preach politics from the pulpit. They can do neither of those things now.

 

[Summerwind]

Surely they mean the government should revoke tax status of ALL non-profit organizations, right?

Actually a non-profit has to prove it's spending it's money on it's stated mission, churches can buy up land, put for-profit condos on it, and spend the money on opulent churches, or as is the case in much of evangelism, on their private mansions, yachts, etc.

 

[jamesrage]

https://petitions.whitehouse.gov/pe...pt-status-all-churches-united-states/SJ95WZzZ

Get the word out!

That would probably be about the whitehouse dot gov petition Obama wouldn't ignore. I do not think the speech of religious groups should be blocked so it is no skin off my teeth if their tax exempt status is removed. be block. But I think you people are playing with fire considering the amount of money churches have and the amount of people in this country that go to church. Yeah there are some preachers that probably tell his candidates what a candidate stands for and what candidates are "good" Christians,however that pastor is not running commercials, billboard ads or any other thing to outright endorse a candidate. If you do not think people are easily influenced by what their preachers and televangelists say just look at the homes of these mega preachers and televangelists and look up City of Faith Hospital or cityplex towers.

 

[Sababa]

So here is the petition let me take it apart.

We the People of the United States, demand that the tax exempt status of all churches in the U.S., be removed immediately and that there be no government funding of ANY religion.

There is currently no funding of any religion. While there are organizations that are organized by religious orders they provide services to the government and get paid for them. In those cases they are not allowed to propogate their faith but can follow their values. it is sticky but Constitutional. As for tax-exempt status I will talk about that in a minute.

Keep the separation of church and state!

Has it gone away?

Taxpayers who do not believe or agree with the current religious influence on policy should not have to fund the religious right with tax money.

Again can someone explain how this is happening?

Eliminating the tax exemption status for churches would solve poverty in the United States.

This makes no sense at all. How? What would it do? You see many and most religious institutions that have the status actually help fight poverty. If you take money away from them that is one area that will suffer. Just take a look at your local Catholic Charities and what they do for the community. Now imagine if they had to stop. Who do you think would fill the void? This assumes that the same level of giving to these institutions. If the tax exempt status is gone then donations would not be tax deductible. So there will certainly be some people who give less. So less will come in and more will go out to go to the government. Where should they cut?

We no longer want to fund religions who think the Bible trumps the Constitution.

Again you really aren't doing that.

This kind of idiocy take the focus away from the very real concern that some conmen use religion to make fortunes and do little to help even their own congregations. But this blanket attack on religious institutions is not only silly it does the opposite of what it proposes to do.

 

[Winchester]

Sounds more like a "We don't like Christians so let's hit them hard" with banter about it ending poverty in the US.

A church is a non-profit, they should be tax exempt and religious aspects aside many act as charities doing good in their communities. You might not like their message but it's shameful that you'd like to try and harm or impair the ability of people of faith to congregate because you don't like what they believe. Separation of church and state means the state isn't going to force charges (taxes) for people to worship freely and congregate. Separation of church and state is not this misconception that the state must hinder, persecute or remove the rights of the church or the free speech people of faith are allowed to have and the votes they are allowed to cast in accordance with their convictions like anyone else, secular or otherwise.

I've got no problem with the tax exempt side of the equation, no need for churches to pay income taxes. However, individuals ought not get a tax deductible contribution and reducing their tax burden by church donations. Want to support your church, great, but don't expect Uncle Sam to subsidize it.

 

[Goshin]

Tax evasion oops I mean tax exemption status bought this asshole a $1.7m mansion. In 2012 the Elevation Church pulled in 20m-30 million and the guy got 5m of that as take home. Affording him to live like most rich people do buying expensive bling.



Think that at the very least there should be a cut off point for so called nonprofit organizations when they start paying taxes. No need to pick on just religious organizations/churches. Or at the very least let them keep their nonprofit status for the organization but still tax the individuals incomes. After all if you are making money working for anyone it is you that is profiting not the nonprofit organization. The megachurch shyster above should at the very least be taxed for his income as ceo of the nonprofit company that he works for.

Just google "megachurch mansion" and you will find many multi-million dollar mansions bought with tax exempt monies. Obviously the nonprofit status is being abused.

But also a search for nonprofit mansion brings up non church mansions. People should quit living on other peoples support right? Pay your own damn way no matter wtf you believe. ANd before Conservative's chime in, no I am not a liberal so save me that rant.

Dude.... reality check.


Most churches are small, less than 300 people. Most pastors live in a small rinky dink house that was built in the 1950s, and collect a salary that would embarrass a welfare recipient, yet those 300 members expect him to be available for them 24/7 if they need him for anything.


For 99%, the job of "Pastor" means choosing to live in relative poverty for the sake of a calling. Very few ever get rich.