Mormon Church Should Not Be Tax Exempt

It seems irrationality is at hand and they want to put a blame on someone. As someone who has also voted no on prop 8 and am extremely upset about the pass, it seems very unreasonable for us to target one group as some sort of a scapegoat and continuously blame them for everything when others have been involved. If you want to argue about Mormons being involved, then other churches such as those related to Catholicism and Christianity should also deserve to have their tax exemptions revoked.

No church should be tax exempt. Churches are ran like corporations and larger denominations make millions every year on top of being tax exempt. But lets look past the profits gained by organized religion and lets look at our Constitution. Are we not a nation that separates both church and state? By the U.S. giving churches tax exempt status they are in essence validating those religious beliefs. It is not the states place do validate anyones faith. And by the state validating faith but not doing so for atheist organizations the government is thus taking a side. Now add to it that when you run for public office you have to vet out your religious affiliation and this nation begins to have the slight tinge of theocracy.

I don’t think any religious organization should be tax exempt, but on the topic of marriage, it is a religious union defined by ones particular beliefs. The US boasts about having a separation of church and state, this should be a non issue.

The Mormans and Catholics should both lose their tax exempt status for their evolvement in politics. For that matter any church that involves themselves in politics should be taxed.

So in other words, Prop 8 supporters are trying to "punish" the Mormon Church because they didn't get what they wanted?
Nobody really cared about this stuff before the Prop 8 controversy.

Well, we can split hairs about the wording of the IRS code -- but I believe those churches (not just the Mormons, btw) were definitely violating the 'spirit' of the law -- or at least the spirit of civil justice and civil rights -- and should not only lose their tax exempt status, but be brought on civil rights charges. If we need to change the tax code, then so be it. Religious bigotry should not be allowed to trump the rule of law.

BTW, there seems nothing untoward about the church in this article, nothing mischaracterized. However, the real meaning of the IRS code is quite botched. Now, it is entirely possible that I have my facts wrong, but I was under the distinct impression that my portrayal above is how it stands.

Someone correct me if you see fit.

current89 & CaptB -- I believe you're mistaken on the law. You seem to share an idea that citizens should keep their money & their energies out of your political hair. What right do you claim?

Any funds raised for propelling measures 8 in CA and 102 in AZ were donated by citizens of those states. That is, the grand totals include no tithing money from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. If individuals from those venues should stay out of the game, you simply must persuade them to your logic. They're free agents.

Further, I should say your command of the IRS code is lacking. (Who could blame you?) Section 501(c)(3) excludes campaigning for a candidate from the condoned activities of a tax-exempt entity. Any issue you can name, however, is condoned and indeed encouraged for anyone with a civic sense of duty, even churches.

Dems da berries, AFAIK.

Telling people how to vote for something and persuading people to vote for specific parties and ideologies from the pulpit are not allowed.

I tend to agree with this line of thought. Make them pay taxes for their involvement in political activities.

The Mormon Church should not be tax exempt, the second they involved themselves in government business was the second they broke constitutional law and lost any right to tax exempt status.