17 Dec
2003
17 Dec
'03
11:17 p.m.
Jim Choate <ravage@ssz.com> writes:
Adam Back <aba@dcs.ex.ac.uk>
Seems to me that the distinction that churches are exempt from taxes partly hinges on their non-profit, or not-for-profit status.
No, it stems from the fundamental democratic axiom of seperation of church and state. If the churches pay taxes they aren't seperate.
I pay taxes, I am separated from the state.
If the state supports churches they aren't seperate.
If the state doesn't tax churches they are subsidizing them relative to other sorts of organisations. This is surely a form of support. Adam