Religion Tax

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-202_162-57522674/for-germans-religious-membership-comes-with-price/

In America, we don't tax churches. In Germany and a few other European countries the government taxes registered church members and hands the money over to the state! In Germany if you don't pay the tax you may soon be denied basic church services.

If this was the law in the US, how many would remove themselves from the church rolls to avoid paying a 9% tax? I think we would have more "nones":

http://news.yahoo.com/americans-increasingly-report-no-religious-affiliation-study-170050162.html

We are making progress in the battle to free men's minds.

Jim J

Jim Johnson said:

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-202_162-57522674/for-germans-religious-membership-comes-with-price/

In America, we don't tax churches. In Germany and a few other European countries the government taxes registered church members and hands the money over to the state! In Germany if you don't pay the tax you may soon be denied basic church services.

If this was the law in the US, how many would remove themselves from the church rolls to avoid paying a 9% tax? I think we would have more "nones":

http://news.yahoo.com/americans-increasingly-report-no-religious-affiliation-study-170050162.html

We are making progress in the battle to free men's minds.

Jim J

What a pathetic view. It is NOT progress to tax someone out of their faith..nor is it progress to tax someone out of the color of their skin. It isn't freedom..it is ignorance disguised as heroics. Sounds just like Hitler's 1939 Germany.

As far as I know, there still are "state religions" over there. If true, that really roils the waters and does not apply here. The article implies that the governments over there are muscling there way in as "middlemen." I bet they have a bureaucracy to handle giving the money back to the churches and of course collect their cut - er - handling fee.

Free my mind? The truth makes me free (John 8:32) and that would be Jesus Christ (John 14:6).

When a State has official ties to a religion, it should come as no surprise that a tax is levied.

I found it rather odd in 1975 when a Catholic Priest insisted from the pulpit, we donate 10% of our income to the church. To hear this from a man sworn to poverty, chastity and obedience, didn't bother me. To see catherdrals in Europe built and decorated as if the entire gross national product went into them, didn't bother me. It did bother me that he drove a donated Mercedes, played golf a lot, ate like a king and attended all the big social events. I still don't do all that and I work my butt off. It further bothers me that not only the Catholic church but many denominations buy up real estate with their not-for-profit gains.

On a lighter note, Catholic Charities is one of the most efficient of all charitable organizations, and truly helps those in need.

I disagree with taxing individuals and passing along all, or worse, part of the money to XYZ church. Should churches be taxed?

Hmmmm....
Steve
8)

When a State has official ties to a religion, it should come as no surprise that a tax is levied.

I found it rather odd in 1975 when a Catholic Priest insisted from the pulpit, we donate 10% of our income to the church. To hear this from a man sworn to poverty, chastity and obedience, didn't bother me. To see catherdrals in Europe built and decorated as if the entire gross national product went into them, didn't bother me. It did bother me that he drove a donated Mercedes, played golf a lot, ate like a king and attended all the big social events. I still don't do all that and I work my butt off. It further bothers me that not only the Catholic church but many denominations buy up real estate with their not-for-profit gains.

On a lighter note, Catholic Charities is one of the most efficient of all charitable organizations, and truly helps those in need.

I disagree with taxing individuals and passing along all, or worse, part of the money to XYZ church. Should churches be taxed?

Hmmmm....
Steve
8)