2004-05-20
"Unitarian church isn't really a religious organization"
Via Kick the Leftist
But according to the office of Texas Comptroller Carole Keeton Strayhorn, a Texas Unitarian church isn't really a religious organization - at least for tax purposes. Its reasoning: The organization "does not have one system of belief." More.
Gee, you think there may be some kind of PROBLEM with governmental bodies determining what is and isn't a legitimate religion? No one could have EVER seen this one coming. Maybe there might be a PROBLEM with the the faith-based charity initiative determining what is and isn't a legitimate religion in order to receive funding. This is so transparently a case of fanatical Southern Baptists, who control Texas state government, using their position of governmental power to grind an axe against the UU church.
Am I arguing that churches shouldn't have tax-exemptions? Maybe, I don't know. I hate to see non-profit educational organizations lose tax-exemption, but determining what is and isn't a legitimate religion to determine tax status is fraught with First Amendment problems. But then again, a fraudulent money-making scam masquerading as a religion (Say it with me boys and girls, "Scientology".) in no way deserves tax-exemption. I'm not saying I have the answer, but it is a problem.
But according to the office of Texas Comptroller Carole Keeton Strayhorn, a Texas Unitarian church isn't really a religious organization - at least for tax purposes. Its reasoning: The organization "does not have one system of belief." More.
Gee, you think there may be some kind of PROBLEM with governmental bodies determining what is and isn't a legitimate religion? No one could have EVER seen this one coming. Maybe there might be a PROBLEM with the the faith-based charity initiative determining what is and isn't a legitimate religion in order to receive funding. This is so transparently a case of fanatical Southern Baptists, who control Texas state government, using their position of governmental power to grind an axe against the UU church.
Am I arguing that churches shouldn't have tax-exemptions? Maybe, I don't know. I hate to see non-profit educational organizations lose tax-exemption, but determining what is and isn't a legitimate religion to determine tax status is fraught with First Amendment problems. But then again, a fraudulent money-making scam masquerading as a religion (Say it with me boys and girls, "Scientology".) in no way deserves tax-exemption. I'm not saying I have the answer, but it is a problem.
