Churches Not Tax-Exempt - Chuck Grassley

#27
#27
GAVol said:
Why not?
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I guess it's just a personal thing. There's something, to me, that doesn't feel right about using it to get any type of benefit.

A lot of people think I'm stupid for not using it, but it's giving God what is already his and for me I feel like it cheapens the sacrifice.
 
#28
#28
JZVOL said:
I guess it's just a personal thing. There's something, to me, that doesn't feel right about using it to get any type of benefit.

A lot of people think I'm stupid for not using it, but it's giving God what is already his and for me I feel like it cheapens the sacrifice.
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Take the deuction and give more.

:)
 
#29
#29
JZVOL said:
I guess it's just a personal thing. There's something, to me, that doesn't feel right about using it to get any type of benefit.

A lot of people think I'm stupid for not using it, but it's giving God what is already his and for me I feel like it cheapens the sacrifice.
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So take the deduction and give the extra money to charity. Jesus hates the IRS. :)
 
#30
#30
if the churches are going to be looked then groups like the NAACP need to be looked at closer. they are much more politically active than 90% of the churches.
 
#31
#31
joevol320 said:
if the churches are going to be looked then groups like the NAACP need to be looked at closer. they are much more politically active than 90% of the churches.
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The NAACP is already under IRS scrutiny.
 
#32
#32
JZVOL said:
Personally I tithe to my church. However, I specifically mark it for missions work, not the church budget and I do not use it when filing my taxes.
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We are the same way. There is a difference between a tithe and a donation. Anything over 10% to the church, we claim for deduction.
 
#33
#33
BearCat204 said:
We are the same way. There is a difference between a tithe and a donation. Anything over 10% to the church, we claim for deduction.
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I don't know why, but this viewpoint fascinates me. Would you feel like you were doing something wrong if you took the tax deduction on the first 10%?
 
#34
#34
GAVol said:
I don't know why, but this viewpoint fascinates me. Would you feel like you were doing something wrong if you took the tax deduction on the first 10%?
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I've got a couple of friends who are like that too.

I guess I just invoke Luke 20:25 - Give to God what are his and to Caesar what are his. Government says I get a deduction, so I'm going to take it and not feel bad. That said, if it's ever not a deduction I'm going to give anwyay.
 
#36
#36
PandamoniumReigns said:
With all due respect (if any is due) - who are you to criticize someone for donating? Who cares if you donate more!?! The fact that you are on here essentially boasting about how much you donate and then criticize someone else for "not sacrificing enough" essentially makes your donations worthless. You say you are religious......does the term "pharisee" ring a bell?

This 10% that you donate to the church - how much of it do you think actually goes out to help the poor, less-fortunate, homeless, etc? I'd venture to say the vast majority of you "charitable donation" goes towards the mortgage payment on your pastor's lakefront mansion somewhere.
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In his mind, he is superior and his opinion more valuable because he owns a business and makes a good living. He feels he could have had this success in zimbabwe, Haiti, or Venezuela, and has not benefited from favorable circumstances at any time. He apparently thinks a person's worth is measures in assets. It would be funny if it weren't so sad.
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#37
#37
GAVol said:
I don't know why, but this viewpoint fascinates me. Would you feel like you were doing something wrong if you took the tax deduction on the first 10%?
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I just love paying taxes.............. Seriously it was just how we have always done it and how my folks always did it. I dont think it is a matter of feeling wrong claiming the deduction, but just that it makes it feel as though we are truely tithing to him our first. When you look at it closely and do the math, it really doesnt make sense financially to not deduct, we have just chosen not to.
 
#38
#38
IPorange said:
In his mind, he is superior and his opinion more valuable because he owns a business and makes a good living. He feels he could have had this success in zimbabwe, Haiti, or Venezuela, and has not benefited from favorable circumstances at any time. He apparently thinks a person's worth is measures in assets. It would be funny if it weren't so sad.
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It is sad
 
#40
#40
More importantly how will this change Auburn's recruiting and Cam's father's church?
 
#42
#42
Ihatethebuckeyes said:
I currently give 10% of my net earnings directly to my local church. I will still give 10% of my net earnings directly to my local church. I am already not getting a tax break on everything I give due to the new laws. Also, my money has already been taxed I do not feel it should be taxed again as income to my church. I also feel that places like the Salvation army should be 100% tax exempt.
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How is me donating my used clothes and furniture (both still in good condition) qualify me for a tax deduction, when I would have just thrown it in the trash otherwise?
 
#43
#43
This **ck measuring with donations is silly. People give what they can and should be applauded for it. My personal opinion, if I were needing charity, I would rather get it with no strings attached then to put up with the preaching...irregardless of amount.

I'm fine with Church's being taxed, but I would almost rather see a more progressive type system for it. Tax based on percent of income used for charity. More charity, less tax...to a point of no taxes. If the income is being used to build huge megachurches then they should be taxed at a higher rate. The more it is acting like a business, the more is should be taxed. To me, that would reduce the amount of abuse many churches get away with by using exempt status.
 
#44
#44
I think the reasoning behind the exemption was to prevent manipulation of religion by the feds... of course that's a pretty good reason for the rest of us not to pay direct taxes too.
 
#45
#45
It's especially asinine to discredit a pretty young guy like volatile because of how much he gives/makes.


On topic, churches, temples, and synagogues probably should be subject to the kind of audits that other npo's are. I don't think another tax of any kind is appropriate however, given that our government has not shown itself capable of properly managing the finances it has. Until we start operating closer to within our means and show we can follow a real budget, we shouldnt demand any more money be entrusted to the Feds.
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#46
#46
Serious question: What about separation of church and state, or is that a one-way street?

Before people start flipping out it's a random thought that just popped in my head.
 
#47
#47
sjt18 said:
I think the reasoning behind the exemption was to prevent manipulation of religion by the feds... of course that's a pretty good reason for the rest of us not to pay direct taxes too.
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I strongly feel it would be a mistake to tax religious bodies, for fear of federal meddling in the future. And that's coming from an atheist.
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#48
#48
JZVOL said:
Serious question: What about separation of church and state, or is that a one-way street?

Before people start flipping out it's a random thought that just popped in my head.
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if the church/temple/whatever were directly taxed, I feel that line may have been crossed.
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#49
#49
rjd970 said:
This **ck measuring with donations is silly. People give what they can and should be applauded for it. My personal opinion, if I were needing charity, I would rather get it with no strings attached then to put up with the preaching...irregardless of amount.
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Of course you would- just like a kid wants a parent to bail them out of trouble without their having to take responsibility and change.

FTR, this is exactly why welfare is not only a failure but cruel. It enables people to continue self-destructive behaviors because gov't cannot demand moral changes.

I'm fine with Church's being taxed, but I would almost rather see a more progressive type system for it. Tax based on percent of income used for charity. More charity, less tax...to a point of no taxes. .
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Why not do that for everyone? Our military and other constitutionally mandated functions can be more than adequately funded by taxes other than income and corporate taxes. Why not let people opt out of income taxes by giving to charities/non-profits that address poverty, education, environmental clean up, etc? Why not let people take a dollar for dollar for dollar credit on their Soc Sec contribution if they are willing to put equal amounts into a personal IRA and the care of an elderly person?
 
#50
#50
IPorange said:
I strongly feel it would be a mistake to tax religious bodies, for fear of federal meddling in the future. And that's coming from an atheist.
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Yes... but a pretty thoughtful atheist who doesn't hold half baked opinions. I think you are badly wrong on some things... however I do not doubt that you engage in critical evaluation of what you believe.
 
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