It is time to TAX THE CHURCHES!

In my state, Tennessee, religious institutions and
organizations, among others, are given a tax-free
status. That is, by producing a piece of paper
issued by the Tennessee Department of Revenue that
shows a Sales & Use number, purchases made in the
name of and for the use of the church will not be
charged sales tax on those purchases.

I grew up with this fact and have, for most of my
life, agreed with its concept. Ironically, I was taught
that this country was founded by people who wanted
to escape religious persecution. They wanted the
freedom to embrace whatever religion they chose or
choose to embrace no religion at all.
Now, in this century, we are witnessing more than
ever, the lessening of the separation of church and
state. Once again the Church(es) is looking for
more power over its flock. They find it in politics.
Politics is not becoming more spiritual but
Churches are becoming more political.
Most people will not say anything even if they
disagree because they or their parents are members
of those churches.

So I will speak.

It is time to tax the churches. Tax their purchases,
tax their land, tax their buildings, tax their income.
If the church is going to have a say in my political
life, then it is time for them to share the burden of
their existence, with no more free rides.
Being tax exempt throws the burden of filling in their
missing monies onto the very people who can least afford
it, and, it is also an under-the-table form of discrimination.

It is time to tax the churches.