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Originally Posted by Journeyman
MrSelfDestruct: You think that levying taxes on a religious institution is more in line with the first amendment than granting tax-exempt status to those institutions?
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I'm not at all fond of organized religion, so my view is biased. I'm also not very fond of taxes, but if I pay them when I don't make enough to live on, a church that takes in millions of dollars of donations per year should have to pay something. In my experience, donations at church are considered about as optional as the "suggested donation" at museums.
Tax exemption is based on political clout and strong-arming, not legitimacy of a religion. Just look at the Scientologists or Mormons.
When asked what I consider the difference between a religion and a cult, I simply respond, "tax-exempt status."