I see a lot of atheist/skeptical bloggers asserting that the churches should be taxed. Why? Should we tax bowling leagues? Fraternal societies? Car clubs? No, these are hobbies/social organizations, as are churches, for most of their congregations.
Some have argued that churches get involved in politics. Some do, and when they do so they should loose their tax exempt status for a period of time or be fined (That's an inclusive "or", by the way.).
Others have argued that they are just money making machines for their leadership. Again, that is true in some cases, but far from all -- or even the majority.
How many secular organizations are there, ostensibly for educational or consumer protection, that are really political organizations or money making schemes for their leadership? Political advocacy often masks itself as education and activism can be quite lucrative.
Churches are a part of civil society with all benefits and shortcomings of other aspects of it and should be treated as such.
I think that most of the "tax the churches" rhetoric comes from envy and resentment. They have more supporters and money that skeptics and consequently a greater voice. Yet you never hear the advocates of it demanding that Greenpeace, fooPirg or the Rotarians be taxed.
We have to be fair here.
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