Well, тАЬdo away with organized religion,тАЭ тАЬget rid of organized religionтАЭ imply a degree of state coercion, given that religious freedom is protected.
I donтАЩt know anyone advocating state coercion to shut down religion. But I do question, for example, the favorable treatment regarding taxation, in some of these mega money machines using the cloak or religiosity to avoid paying for the commons that they enjoy.
As do I. I have no problem with a nonprofit tax exemption for one church building and pastor's home but these millions of acres and monster campuses that take and take and take public services without paying one dime of property or income tax has gone beyond acceptable imho.
ItтАЩs a minefield. IтАЩve never seen the numbers -- so I could be wrong -- but IтАЩm betting there are far more small churches/non-profits that take in less than $300,000 annually than there are mega churches. Most mainline Protestant churches are probably at the $300k level. And in my state, we pay property taxes.
That seems likely, that the mega churches awash in money are unrepresentative of the majority of congregations. But they do seem to have an outsize influence on the culture wars, etc.
I hadnтАЩt considered property taxes. I wonder how many states send property tax bills to churches. Good point.
Right but welcoming the diminution of organized religion is different than advocating for state coercion to accomplish that objective.
Well, тАЬdo away with organized religion,тАЭ тАЬget rid of organized religionтАЭ imply a degree of state coercion, given that religious freedom is protected.
Convincing people to turn away from organized religion doesnтАЩt seem to imply any sort of state coercion.
I donтАЩt know anyone advocating state coercion to shut down religion. But I do question, for example, the favorable treatment regarding taxation, in some of these mega money machines using the cloak or religiosity to avoid paying for the commons that they enjoy.
As do I. I have no problem with a nonprofit tax exemption for one church building and pastor's home but these millions of acres and monster campuses that take and take and take public services without paying one dime of property or income tax has gone beyond acceptable imho.
ItтАЩs a minefield. IтАЩve never seen the numbers -- so I could be wrong -- but IтАЩm betting there are far more small churches/non-profits that take in less than $300,000 annually than there are mega churches. Most mainline Protestant churches are probably at the $300k level. And in my state, we pay property taxes.
Which state is that? A quick search is turning up the general trend that Churches are immune from property taxes.
Maryland. Payable to my county. IтАЩm sure weтАЩre assessed at a lower rate, since I got my property tax bill for my home, which is considerably more.
this link has some details. Specifically around page 11.
https://dat.maryland.gov/Documents/File07_Exemption_Overview_9_29_14.pdf
Sounds like Maryland is much more strict on exemptions, but that some do exist.
That seems likely, that the mega churches awash in money are unrepresentative of the majority of congregations. But they do seem to have an outsize influence on the culture wars, etc.
I hadnтАЩt considered property taxes. I wonder how many states send property tax bills to churches. Good point.