Search Results: marriage changed everything

I have a question I would like to ask everyone here that stems from an argument I had in one of my college courses.

Should Churches in The United States Pay taxes? When our professor asked this question, hands shot up across the room with people waiting in unison to scream "No way Jose!" Out of 27 people, I was the only one who said yes. I was then asked to present my thesis as to why. (Keep in mind I attend a university in the deep south, where the majority of students are devout, southern Baptists.) With this type of audience, I knew I had my work cut out for me.

#1. I think that all religions have been getting over on the tax man since the beginning of time. Christianity, for example asks for a "tithe" or tenth of your income if possible. What happens to my 10% after I give it to the church? The uniform answer is that the money goes to do the work of God. If God is an all powerful deity, then why does he need money? He created everything in existence, but somehow he needs a little helping hand from the ATM? Nice try, but I don't agree.

#2 If Religious leaders of any faith can perform legal changes to a person's life (i.e. Marriage), then they are in my opinion performing a service to the state and should pay taxes based on their recognition as a ordained matrimony service that they provide to the general public. Basic economics. If you have a good or provide a service, then you pay taxes.

#3. This is my big one, Religious Legislative lobby groups. I have a big problem with groups that pool their tax free money together to influence law makers. Their are so many laws passed that are tainted with religious influence and undertone that it's amazing how we can have any audacity to call ourselves a truly "free" country. I don't have a problem with you when you worship your god, I have a problem with you when you and your god make the laws that tell me how I should live. At this point, I'm not a citizen of a free state, I'm now a hostage of a religious based puppet regime. So, In this instance, if religious groups want to lobby "our" Government, then pay your taxes first. I thought that the American government was liable to it's tax paying citizens. In fact I do recall us having a little issue with England about "taxation without representation", only to give churches representation without taxation? hmmm?

Those were my 3 biggest points or argument and I was suprised to find that I was'nt burned at the stake for my beliefs. So now I want to turn it over to you.What are your thoughts?