'Special Rights' for Religion
  by Jan Brazill

Remember when the phrase "special rights" was a derogatory term during the bitter battle over Colorado's 1992 Amendment Two? Religionists claimed that adding homosexuality to the non-discrimination laws would give homosexuals "special rights."

This was ironic, since no one has more special rights than churches with their tax exemptions. In the beginning, in small colonial villages where people shared the same faith, preachers were often supported by the entire community. As our country grew, however, the diversity of religions also grew, and the granting of income tax exemptions as well as excusal from paying property taxes is now unfairly forcing taxpayers, who must assume the cost of their assessments, to support ALL religions whether they agree with them or not.

Now it appears some churches want even more. Presently, the Internal Revenue code grants tax exempt status to religious organizations and other charitable or educational groups duly constituted as 501(c)(3) organizations. In return they agree not to engage in the partisan political activity of endorsing or opposing candidates. Legislation has been proposed in our U.S. House of Representatives that would change all this, allowing partisan political campaigning by religious organizations without forfeiting their tax exempt status. The rest of the 501(c)(3) organizations would still be prevented from such politicking. This is "special rights" on a grand scale!

Despite our country's constitutionally-mandated separation of church and state, churches and religious organizations have become increasingly involved in politics as a way to enlarge their control of people's lives. As part of the faith-based programs favored by this administration, one proposed bill would channel millions of tax dollars to religious ministries providing social services. Another would divert tax money by promoting charitable donations through a range of new tax credits.

Chief Justice Steven has pointed out: "Whenever we remove a brick from the wall that was designed to separate religion and government, we increase the risk of religious strife and weaken the foundations of our democracy."

Such strife has already begun. "Faith-Based Initiatives" have been the subject of hostility between black clergy and Christian Right leaders, and Pat Robertson is insisting that no money go to certain groups. It was only a matter of time before religious groups would begin battling as they covet the funds others receive. Pro-fetal-life people have convinced Congress to stop using "their" tax money for abortions, so it follows that they would not want "their" tax money used to subsidize the teachings of Scientology or support the Rev. Sun Myung Moon, who preaches that he is the new Messiah and all religions should merge under his authority.

If we are to prevent further religious strife, perhaps we need to grant religious institutions the kind of "special rights" that Germany does. There, the government collects a "church tax" and uses this tax to maintain the churches, their salaries and their programs. In order to stop having the church tax deducted from your paycheck, you must sign an affidavit that you no longer wish to belong to a church or temple.

With such special rights, this would be the only tax money religions would receive. Taxpayers would finally enjoy true religious freedom by subsidizing only their own religion. Those without a religion would be freed of an unjust tax burden and would see a reduction in taxes that would far exceed the Bush tax cut!

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