Should religious institutions pay PROPERTY taxes?

[DrPepper12]

If you choose C please give a suggested percentage.

Yes. They are community stakeholders and should not be exempt.

No. They already provide community services and subsidizing that work is ok

Yes but only up to a certain amount like a percentage of what commercial properties pay.

[AviatorTom]

Churches, synagogues, temples, etc. should be exempt from property taxes... maintaining the legal separation of church and state. But other properties, that are not religious (ex: convent, rectory, parish center, campground) should pay property taxes... there's no needed for church-state separation for those properties.

[DrPepper12]

Interesting proposal. Wouldn't they just say those are ancillary requirements of providing community services?

[AviatorTom]

@DrPepper12 Yes, but community services have nothing to do with religion.

[Juxtapose]

I don't think property taxes should be a thing at all actually because you are essentially leasing property to your government rather than truly owning it. But if we're going to have them then sure, make the churches pay the same amount. I have no love for churches as an atheist.

[Juxtapose]

*essentially having your own property leased to you by your government

[DrPepper12]

Same

[DishLady]

Tbh I think it depends.


Smaller churches or places of workshop actually already pay fees to their regional or national “hub” so I don’t think THEY should pay additional taxes. I do think the “hub” institution should pay something bc it’s unclear what they’re doing with all the fees they’re collecting….

[katiesmuff]

Tax at the same rate as any commercial business as that is exactly what religion is!

[DrPepper12]

Agreed. No special treatment!

[jshm2]

How the fuck can you tax donations and charities? A religious institution is both.

[DrPepper12]

JFC read!!! I said property!!

[NathanDavis]

god would have wanted them to give at least 90% of their profits... to a good cause

but...

[AngryCarl]

No, because religious institutions are paid for by the congregation, so you are taxing them twice.

[DrPepper12]

Wait, you're saying that because the congregation was already taxed on their income to tax the contributions would mean that it's taxed twice? Considering they're there voluntarily that makes NO sense and your double taxation claim is even more sus. Plenty of things are "double taxed"

[gorydetails]

I love the leftists salivating over the prospect of taxing churches.

[DrPepper12]

I'm still perplexed why they get special treatment. Volunteer firefighter in my region get a tax break but they are performing a needed govt service. Religious institutions are not uniform in provision of services and if they want a seat at the political policy table then ante up.

[gorydetails]

You want separation of church and state, right? The better question is why do you think the government deserves anyone’s tax dollars for property they supposedly own?

[DrPepper12]

To maintain services to said property? Are you one of those "taxation is theft" people?

[gorydetails]

You already paid tax when you bought the property, with income that was already taxed.

[DrPepper12]

That doesn't cover continuing services and maintenance to property. If you mean a sales tax yes, it is always a "double" tax. That's why we should have VAT taxes so it doesn't fall disproportionately in poor.

[gorydetails]

Maintenance is done by the owner of the property, not the government. the US isn't the commie paradise you want it to be.

[DrPepper12]

The water, streets, electric, gas need maintenance and the. School district it's in needs funding. That's the social contract. The WHOLE community pays for education of young

[gorydetails]

Wonderful! So let's kill the department of education since it educates no one.

[DrPepper12]

Don't avoid the question. How do you propose funding if not property tax? Why are religions institutions exempt?

[gorydetails]

Because religious institutions use their money to help people. you’re avoiding the question. Why do you think you have the right to other people’s money.

[DrPepper12]

So paying off pedophile lawsuits is a community service?

I think WE have OBLIGATIONS AND DUTY to each other that we MUST all contribute for the betterment of the community. If you say that's taking other people's money we have a fundamental disagreement of the social contract and civilization

[gorydetails]

Yeah, how is giving our money to Ukraine helping my community.

[DrPepper12]

We PROMISED them security guarantees when we talked them into giving their nukes back to Russia upon break up of USSR! OUR WORD!! Either we honor that commitment or our allies know we're liars. We already did NOTHING about Crimea and look where that got us!! Putin will keep going in our global community unless decisively stopped. That's how! Plus 90% of that aid doesn't leave USA. It goes to defense, satellite time, food, medicine and logistics contractors here in USA.

Now: Why are religious institutions exempt?

[gorydetails]

Because religious institutions are charitable organizations.

So, there is no benefit to my community for the money confiscated from my paycheck that goes to Ukraine. Got it. At least you admit you support fucking over Americans.

[legalboxers]

No Separation between CHURCH and STATE, you pilfer the congregants with your unmarked white envelops, you can pay your property taxes

[DrPepper12]

? Not sure what you're saying.

[normalice]

Only if they get political.

[DrPepper12]

How would we assess that? It's really hard.

[normalice]

I know but it's no excuse not to try. Case by case through the courts.

[totallytodd1]

No. Completely immoral to make them pay or anyone actually.

[DrPepper12]

What do you mean "or anyone"? Like taxation is theft belief?

[GoGetitGio]

No one should pay taxes

[DrPepper12]

Can't wait to hear this... Go on...

[jahaims]

Yeah