Taxation of organized religion.
You can't do this and still have separation of church and state. However, I have a problem with those religions, one in particular, which heavily encourage couples to have many more children than they can afford.
While I gripe a lot about the young guys in the white shirts and ties who knock at my front door, at least their religion usually "takes care of its own" much better, even if imperfectly. Of course, you can do that when you're receiving 10% of everyone's income who belongs to your church...which is why I don't believe this particular church has any interest whatsoever in my "salvation."
However, returning to the first church I mentioned above, I do believe this church should be taxed to pay for the extra services society must provide. Services which are needed because this church has encouraged couples who can't afford even one child, in the U.S. and other countries as well, to have as many children as possible!
It's unfortuante, as stated above, you can't do this and still maintain separation.
Btw as a sidenote, I heard a guy call in on the radio just a few minutes ago and state what we have in the U.S./Western Europe now re: religion that other religions(e.g., Islam), don't have is doubt(of course excluding U.S. Christian fundamentalists). The host also noted that religion had very little, if any, "competition" until the discipline of psychiatry/psychology developed. Of interest due to the reaction of Tom Cruise and other followers of his chosen religion to this discipline.
PhaedrusZ
Re: Taxation of organized religion.
I think the idea behind exempting non-profits from taxes was that they were helping out the community. Like you, I have to question how much of most non-profits actually goes to help people. It seems most of their funds goes to pay the salaries of their staff so that they can raise more funds. I wouldn't be in favor of a special tax on religion but I am in favor of all non-profit's paying their share of taxes like any other business.
Re: Taxation of organized religion.
I am always amused (in a sad sort of way) when I hear complaints from conservatives about liberals or immigrants getting help from the government and yet NEVER hear complainst from those same people about the Christian sect of incest families where there are 20 plus kids born to a single man who them collects state support.
Anything seems to be " ok " with the rightwingers if it's done under the approval of the republican party and or the christian church.