American Atheists and other secular groups are taking the IRS to court over what they say is the preferential treatment the tax-collection agency gives to religious organizations.
Studies show that Americans subsidize religious organizations to the tune of an estimated $71 billion annually, in the form of tax-exemptions. “This is about equality,” American Atheists President David Silverman said in a statement.
“This is about the U.S. government holding everyone to the same standard and giving the same rights to all. No exceptions. We are seeing religions getting preferential treatment by our government, a government that is supposed to serve us and respect us all as equals, and that’s wrong. It’s not what this country is about and it’s unpatriotic.”
Dave Muscato, a spokesman for American Atheists, told Newsweek, “We find it discriminatory, so we’re suing. The way that this is set up, we all pay for it. We’re all supporting churches for what they do.”
Because religious organizations are automatically granted a tax-exempt status and are not required to file forms that non-religious organizations must, American Atheists claim secular groups are unfairly burdened, while religious organizations have a fundraising advantage that includes not having to reveal their donors.
I know I am looking at this from a very prejudicial angle, but you have to admit American Atheists have a point.
It is unfair to ask nonmembers of a religious organization to subsidize churches through their tax dollars, when often the churches themselves have money to burn.
Churches should pay their fair share, ESPECIALLY if they are going to dabble in politics, which is increasingly the case these days. Not only that, but I think that the new Pope would agree with me on this topic.
A couple more statements from Pope Francis and Fox news will be ready to throw churches under the bus.
ReplyDeleteI agree with this 100%. My reasons are a little different in that my objection is to religious organizations pushing their way into politics, but I think the atheist perspective regarding preferential treatment is absolutely right as well.
ReplyDeleteI have to acknowledge that I think the atheist perspective is correct, too. If they want to interfere in politics, they should pay taxes. And I support that for nonChristian groups, too.
ReplyDeleteIvyfree
"Render unto Caesar...."
ReplyDeleteI totally agree with reform in this area; there is soooo much money and property not being taxed.
ReplyDeleteThis is way overdue along with the need to remove the "special" tax breaks for ministers.
ReplyDeleteI disagree with churches getting tax breaks when they are competing against businesses to provide services (such as drug treatment) but require clients to participate in religious activities as part of the treatment. Many clients are court ordered into programs, and due to waiting lists etc, they really do not have freedom of choice. Basically they can agree to go to a religous affiliated treatment program and have religion pushed onto them - or they can stay in jail while waiting for a non religious treatment program get an opening for them.
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