[Singularity]

Hello HF.

I have a question for you.
Should Churches pay taxes?

Here is an article about how much money we are losing from
church tax exemption.
http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyath...000000000/

$71 billion every year just in the united states..
That is crazy!

Personally I believe that they should be taxed.
It would make things a whole lot easier on countries,
governments and we could put the money to lets say something useful
like getting us out of debt or science?

Lets see what HF thinks.

[Suicide]

Yes I think that they should pay taxes. The profit tons of cash and do not have taxes on it. It is pretty ridiculous if you ask me.

[Fallen]

They're not special. They should pay taxes.

[Leader]

There is no reason why churches shouldn't pay taxes. If they want a place in our country, they must abide by the rules.

[Fallen]

There is no reason why churches shouldn't pay taxes. If they want a place in our country, they must abide by the rules.

What are you saying?

In our country, churches are legally tax exempt. By the legal definition, they are abiding by the "rules".

[Leader]

What are you saying?

In our country, churches are legally tax exempt. By the legal definition, they are abiding by the "rules".

All other groups have to pay taxes. What makes them exempt? By "rules", I mean the rules that everyone else follows.

[Fallen]

All other groups have to pay taxes. What makes them exempt? By "rules", I mean the rules that everyone else follows.

I wouldn't know what you mean until you stated it.

Rules that "everyone else" follows are followed under different circumstances and stipulations. Who do you mean by "everyone" else?

Also, no. Not "all" other groups have to pay taxes. In fact, properties owned by religious organizations that are not "churches", would be considered "other groups", relative to the thread topic. Yet, they are also tax exempt.

[Leader]

I wouldn't know what you mean until you stated it.

Rules that "everyone else" follows are followed under different circumstances and stipulations. Who do you mean by "everyone" else?

Also, no. Not "all" other groups have to pay taxes. In fact, properties owned by religious organizations that are not "churches", would be considered "other groups", relative to the thread topic. Yet, they are also tax exempt.

By everyone else, I mean tax paying Americans.

Also, other groups does not include religious groups, because we are debating on whether or not religious groups should pay taxes.

[Fallen]

By everyone else, I mean tax paying Americans.

Are you saying religious individuals don't pay taxes? One statement of yours seem to hold multiple meanings, as observed. How am I to predict which one is the one you meant if you aren't explicitly clear on it the first time you mention it?

Also, other groups does not include religious groups, because we are debating on whether or not religious groups should pay taxes.

We were discussing if churches were to be exempt or not from taxes. Also, "everyone else" includes "religious groups" and the people who make up these groups.

Don't be self-contradictory.

[Leader]

Are you saying religious individuals don't pay taxes? One statement of yours seem to hold multiple meanings, as observed. How am I to predict which one is the one you meant if you aren't explicitly clear on it the first time you mention it?


We were discussing if churches were to be exempt or not from taxes. Also, "everyone else" includes "religious groups" and the people who make up these groups.

Don't be self-contradictory.

Let me clarify.

Most businesses pay taxes. Churches, and other religious groups, are exempt from these taxes, for no apparent reason.

It is only logical to assume that all other religions should be included in discussion, because Christianity isn't the only religion that is exempt.

Also, let's try to stay on topic, rather than attacking my use of words. That is a fault on my part, but this debate would be much better if we could actually debate the topic at hand.