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."
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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.
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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!
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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.
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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."
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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.
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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.
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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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