Posted on 09/20/2012 8:31:12 AM PDT by SeekAndFind
There is a movement underway in Europe to remove the tax exemptions churches have enjoyed for centuries.
In Spain and Italy this attempt is being broadly pursued, while in Britain it is being done piecemeal.
For example, in Spain and Italy the special tax status of churches and their ministries are being openly targeted by political leaders who want to get their hands into church coffers.
Ricardo Rubio, a city councilman in Alcala de Henares, Spain, says he, and those who share his view, “want to make a statement that the costs of the [financial] crisis should be borne equally by every person and institution.” In other words, it’s time for the religious to pay their fair share.
And in Italy, Prime Minister Mario Monti is calling “for a tax on church properties or on those portions of properties that have a commercial purpose.”
But there have already been conflicting explanations for the proposed taxation indicating that “about 100,000 properties, classed as non-commercial,” would be taxed as well. These properties include “8,779 schools, 26,300 ecclesiastical structures and 4,714 hospitals and clinics.”
In other words, even before the tax-emption has been fully lifted the government is already overreaching. Rubio and Monti are only two of many officials in cash-strapped European nations and cities who are beginning to view the Catholic Church as their ticket to solvency. Both Spain and Italy are reeling under the same financial duress that has been weighing down other European nations for some time, and these political leaders see no reason why churches shouldn’t share the burden.
Apparently Rubio and Monti have failed to consider that this not only violates the left’s heretofore inviolable separation of church and state, but actually makes the church one of the state’s purse holders.
Britain has been tiptoeing toward this same end for some time. Their approach, to date, has been to reduce expenditures by cutting funding that had previously been designated for transportation to faith-based schools.
All three of these countries are making a terrible, heart-wrenching mistake by putting the financial needs of bureaucrats above the spiritual needs of their people. For whether they realize it or not, that’s exactly what they’re doing.
The tax-exempt status has been in place for centuries because matters of faith have been held above and beyond secular matters for that same period of time. The push to change the tax structure, and the tradition that goes with it, stands as a sad testimony to the fact that many countries are ready to trade to their spiritual heritage for an opportunity to balance their national checkbooks.
Pay up or suffocate.
Governments world wide are not leaving a stone unturned when it comes to revenue.
Idiocy.
I would contend the Churches do more service to those in need at a greater cost efficiency and to more per capita of dollars received than any government agency.
So let em be.
It is all fun and games until you run out of other peoples money. Governments caused this mess with their spending - most logical people would stop spending politicians simply go after everyone else to destroy them all like they destroyed themselves.
How about the governments reduce their spending so they don’t need more revenue?
With tax exemptiions gone, Churches will start depending on the Lord for their needs and standing for truth.
And the governments involved?
Over 60 years ago an old guy in town, who had been a station master at the railroad, told me that the way things were going they would put a meter around hour nick and charge you for the air you breathe.
Bingo!
The tax code is the government keeping their boots on the throat of the church.
The government gets to dictate what can and can not be said from the pulpit, because the church fears losing this tax exempt status.
What do you think Cap and Trade is all about?
AMEN!
Tax exempt status is nothing but a muzzle on the Church. It insures a Politically Correct message from the pulpit.
“I would contend the Churches do more service to those in need at a greater cost efficiency and to more per capita of dollars received than any government agency.”
The Catholics might, but most churches are barely hanging on or too busy with building projects to help much in the community.
I don’t have much of a problem with churches paying taxes but to do it in this economy, like for anyone else, is not a good idea.
I don’t want to see this, but if they did do such a thing than conservative churches would not be adverse to speaking out politically.
—— I don’t have much of a problem with churches paying taxes but to do it in this economy, like for anyone else, is not a good idea. ——
Nothing will sober up the clergy faster, and, in turn, the flock. The church buildings are relatively unimportant. And in the long run, church property may face confiscation. Better to fight while we’re still on our feet.
As far as I know, the only thing they aren't supposed to do is promote one candidate over another (although black churches sure have done a lot of that for Democrats in the past). If you are thinking of other things they are not permitted to do, can you share? I may be missing something.
What, precisely, would government tax?
What goods do churches produce that should be taxed?
Or are they just proposing that money donated to churches should be further taxed?
And this represents the ultimate goal - the replacement of the Church with Government.
It’s the kingdom of the anti-Christ.
RE: Or are they just proposing that money donated to churches should be further taxed?
I think they’re thinking of money donated to churches NOT BEING TAX EXEMPT.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.