The Churches and Society

[Diogenes]

OK, I realize the title isn't very descriptive but...

some changes need to be made...for example:

1. churches should lose their charitable tax-free status
2. churches should lose any legal privileges such as priest patron privilege
3. churches should not get government tax money to fund any activity including religious-based charities ie. like the 100 million dollar grant awarded to Catholic Charities USA for disaster relief
4. churches should no longer be allowed to receive donations of land

the ' special ' status that churches have received should be revoked ...everyone has the right to believe as they wish, but they do not have the right to special status or funding.

[yukonmuffin]

Good luck passing that in the states, they'll find a reason to sue over it.

[Jack]

I don't mind them receiving donations of land, as long as they have to pay the same taxes on it as anyone else would and abide by the same laws regarding that property as anyone else would have to.

But I definitely agree with your other points. And the term "church" includes any protestant or Catholic group, any synagogue, any mosque as well as any school or other piece of property supported solely by a church or other religious group. No favors, no special entitlements, no exemptions from the expectations placed on everyone else.

[Diogenes]

Good luck passing that in the states, they'll find a reason to sue over it.

But it might one day make it through the Canadian legislature...the only thing I agree with is government funding for religious schools...because if we didn't fund them we'd have to foot the entire bill.
In essence they are saving us money.

[Diogenes]

But I definitely agree with your other points. And the term "church" includes any protestant or Catholic group, any synagogue, any mosque as well as any school or other piece of property supported solely by a church or other religious group. No favors, no special entitlements, no exemptions from the expectations placed on everyone else.

And I agree with what you said with the exception of schools for the reason I posted above.

[yukonmuffin]

But it might one day make it through the Canadian legislature...the only thing I agree with is government funding for religious schools...because if we didn't fund them we'd have to foot the entire bill.

With the roman catholics on the decline, it might be possible. Also the fact the Quebec is out of the dark ages might help...
As long as students are willing to attend Christian schools, I don't have a problem with them receiving funding.

[Jack]

If they want a separate and exclusively religious education, why can't they pay for their religious schools through donations/tithes/offerings collected by the churches? I don't deny them the right to use their money any way they want, just like I do, but neither of us should be exempted from taxation when we do.

[yukonmuffin]

If they want a separate and exclusively religious education, why can't they pay for their religious schools through donations/tithes/offerings collected by the churches? I don't deny them the right to use their money any way they want, just like I do, but neither of us should be exempted from taxation when we do.

They'd just be going to normal public schools anyways, might as well make one to suit their needs if there's enough of them.

[Diogenes]

If they want a separate and exclusively religious education, why can't they pay for their religious schools through donations/tithes/offerings collected by the churches? I don't deny them the right to use their money any way they want, just like I do, but neither of us should be exempted from taxation when we do.

The only problem with that is if they can't ( or won't ) keep the schools open the entire bill would shift to us.
From a purely economic standpoint I see it as a justified expense.

[Jack]

My only objection is having my tax money used to support the teaching of mythology and superstition as core subjects. But then my taxes already pay for a lot of stupid things I object to, so I guess I wouldn't fuss about it all that much.

Still...

[Angry Citizen]

The only problem with that is if they can't ( or won't ) keep the schools open the entire bill would shift to us.

Wait. Now you're complaining that private, religious schools with substandard curricula that teaches intelligent design and creationism, would suddenly become unaffordable?

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