Huckabee says churches should give up tax exempt status

Discussion in 'Blazers OT Forum' started by Further, Jun 11, 2013.

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  1. Further

    Further Guy

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    Further, Jun 11, 2013
    #1
  2. SlyPokerDog

    SlyPokerDog Woof! Staff Member Administrator

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    Keep the tax exempt status, keep religious organizations out of politics.
     
    SlyPokerDog, Jun 11, 2013
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  3. ABM

    ABM Happily Married In Music City, USA!

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    Intersting.

     
    ABM, Jun 11, 2013
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  4. RR7

    RR7 Well-Known Member

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    great idea.
     
    RR7, Jun 11, 2013
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  5. MARIS61

    MARIS61 Real American

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    Fat chance any take him up on it, as they are all about the benjamins.
     
    MARIS61, Jun 11, 2013
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  6. SlyPokerDog

    SlyPokerDog Woof! Staff Member Administrator

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    I don't think it is a very good idea. Once churches start paying taxes then they get to endorse politicians.

    "The Catholic Church endorses __________"

    The Baptist Church wants you to Vote No on measure _______"

    Do we really need to add religious voices to our political arguments?
     
    SlyPokerDog, Jun 11, 2013
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  7. Further

    Further Guy

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    They already do, it's just done with a wink right now.
     
    Further, Jun 11, 2013
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  8. SlyPokerDog

    SlyPokerDog Woof! Staff Member Administrator

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    And I think it needs to stay that way. I'm fine with the wink.
     
    SlyPokerDog, Jun 11, 2013
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  9. ABM

    ABM Happily Married In Music City, USA!

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    Well, collectively, perhaps those "voices" are people just like you and me.
     
    ABM, Jun 11, 2013
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  10. SlyPokerDog

    SlyPokerDog Woof! Staff Member Administrator

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    And those people don't have a voice currently? They can still support and donate to candidates and policies.
     
    SlyPokerDog, Jun 11, 2013
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  11. MARIS61

    MARIS61 Real American

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    So why do you oppose them paying taxes like everybody else?

    Maybe a "Church of MARIS61" is in order. I could use a break on my taxes.
     
    MARIS61, Jun 12, 2013
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  12. BLAZER PROPHET

    BLAZER PROPHET Well-Known Member

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    Churches do pay taxes on their business activities (if they own businesses).
     
    BLAZER PROPHET, Jun 12, 2013
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  13. crandc

    crandc Well-Known Member

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    Churches own literally billions of dollars in property and assets for which they pay no taxes. Clergy get special tax exemptions. They are already heavily involved in politics, would Prop H8 ever have passed had not the Mormons and Catholics joined with evangelicals to pour millions of dollars and hundreds of paid "volunteers" to spread hate and misinformation? The great majority supports birth control but it is under attack to appease Christian rightists. Huckabee is right for the wrong reasons. He wants churches (his own, specifically) even more involved in politics (his own, specifically). I'd say recognize the reality. Religion is big business but pays even less of a share than secular big business. How much better off financially would this country be if we, taxpayers of all or no faith, were not having to subsidize religions we don't agree with so they can pay no tax AND meddle in politics?
     
    crandc, Jun 12, 2013
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  14. PtldPlatypus

    PtldPlatypus Let's go Baby Blazers! Staff Member Global Moderator Moderator

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    The idea that giving donation-supported non-business organizations tax-exempt status is somehow "subsidizing" them seems a bit off to me. BTW--where's the call to end tax-exempt status for politically-active non-religious non-profit organizations?
     
    PtldPlatypus, Jun 12, 2013
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  15. Nate4Prez

    Nate4Prez . . . .

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    You do realize the irony of this statement, right? By letting religious organizations be tax exempt that is a political decision. So, regardless of whether a religious organization does or does not pay taxes a political decision has been made. I think they should pay taxes, they are a business, just like Wal-Mart.
     
    Nate4Prez, Jun 12, 2013
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  16. santeesioux

    santeesioux Just keep on scrolling by

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    Yeah, make them pay taxes.
     
    santeesioux, Jun 12, 2013
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  17. DaLincolnJones

    DaLincolnJones Well-Known Member

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    nice points all.
     
    DaLincolnJones, Jun 12, 2013
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  18. DaLincolnJones

    DaLincolnJones Well-Known Member

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    so...its only ok for say, a public union to do that?
     
    DaLincolnJones, Jun 12, 2013
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  19. Denny Crane

    Denny Crane It's not even loaded! Staff Member Administrator

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    The obvious answer is that the tax code is fucked up. It can only be fucked up until we do away with it.

    The IRS scandal shows why the government shouldn't be in the business of picking and choosing who should benefit through the tax code. And those who have the money and resources simply buy congress to get what they want in the code.
     
    Denny Crane, Jun 12, 2013
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  20. PtldPlatypus

    PtldPlatypus Let's go Baby Blazers! Staff Member Global Moderator Moderator

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    What is your definition of a business?
     
    PtldPlatypus, Jun 12, 2013
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