The rationale for tax-free religion is a real problem

[Yo_Mama]

54. You just negated your own argument.

Churches ARE treated the same way as other non-profit organizations, which is why you cannot pass a law taxing churches unless you also tax all those other non-profits. Greenpeace is a 501(c)(3) organization. The various Catholic groups are exempt under 501(c)(3) also.

It's because of the "free exercise" clause. The protection from taxation churches have is both traditional but legal because it is granted to all these other public-purpose groups. It would not be legal to remove it from a churchish organization engaging in the same activity as the other non-profit type organization because you can't debar religious people from rights non-religious people have, or debar non-religious people from rights religious people have.

Findlaw is your friend - try these two links:
http://caselaw.lp.findlaw.com/data/constitution/amendment01/01.html#4

http://caselaw.lp.findlaw.com/data/constitution/amendment01/04.html#1