The rationale for tax-free religion is a real problem [View all]
As I understand it, churches/recognized religions pay no taxes and even GET subsidies largely because of their charity and "good-works" policies.
Many churches/religions are equal-opportunity "givers", but many are quite stingy with their favors, or require prayer-time before feeding time.
What if churches were relieved from this charity altogether, and the NATION/government took over the responsibility to care for the "least ofs" in society?
Surely the tax revenue from churches "rendering to Caesar" and the money saved from retracted subsidies, would go a long way to paying for it.
IF churches still wanted to do their charitable works, they could perhaps get a deduction on their taxes (like we all do when we donate).
Their taxes could be based on money taken in that is over and above the actual cost of running the place, and no more freebee property tax (non-tax) on property that is not the actual footprint of the church and its parking lot.
This would go a long way to curbing the excesses of the mega church moguls.
Churches should always be free to preach whatever they want, and to minister to their flock as their religion sees fit, AS LONG AS IT IS STRICTLY church-stuff.
It they CHOOSE to operate a hospital or school, they should have to abide by the same business practices that the rest of society has to comply with, unless their doors are only open to their own religious group.
If the Catholics/Lutherans/Methodists, etc run a private hospital that is only open to Catholics/Lutherans/Methodists, etc, and it's staffed by members, their rules & regulations should be their own business, BUT, if they are open to the public and rely on public money to operate, they should be seen as any other business in a capitalist society. If they are well-tended/funded , they will flourish but if they are poorly run and use a bad business model, how are they any different from any other business? If you open a day care business in a senior citizen community, your business may just fail..Will the government subsidize you so you can stay open?
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