#this won't get notes

Thus kindly I scatter

Alright, let’s actually talk about this… because there seem to be a lot of people who don’t really understand the way things work. Before I say anything else, though, I’m going to explain where I’m coming from and hopefully establish some credibility over the random trolls who keep making these kinds of memes and posts…

I’m actually on the board of directors for my church. I’m the secretary of the board, actually, which means that I’m responsible for all documentation, and I (along with the treasurer) can authorize checks and transfers, and stuff like that. So understand that I’m not just pulling this perspective out of my butt crack. I am fully aware of the legal parameters that surround the church and its financial responsibilities. Along with that, understand that this position is 100% volunteer. I make no money whatsoever by serving the church in this capacity, nor do I stand to gain anything from stating my opinion on this matter other than, perhaps, a lighter load on my patience.

Okay… this is actually quite simple, and it should be pretty clear if you bother to pay attention. Why do churches not pay taxes? Why are churches tax exempt? It has *absolutely nothing* to do with “separation of church and state.” Okay? By the way, please stop throwing that term around before you check what it actually means. It has everything to do with the fact that churches are non-profit organizations that must apply for, and maintain its 501©(3) tax-exempt status. Unless you’ve been involved in administration, you probably wouldn’t believe the hoops and inconveniences we have to navigate to maintain that status. But religious organizations do not automatically qualify for tax-exempt status just because they’re religious… nor do all non-profit organizations qualify for tax-exempt status. But as long as a church, or any other organization meets the requirements for 501©(3), it will continue to be tax-exempt.

Furthermore, some of what I’ve heard is that we should tax churches and use the money to build homeless shelters. 1) half the people saying this have probably never even volunteered at a homeless shelter or camp. So you can’t tell me that their passion for the homeless is so great that they came up with this plan. This is spite… that’s all it is. 2) most homeless shelters are actually funded and staffed by local churches.

You can’t just revoke a qualifying organization’s tax-exempt status solely on the basis of not liking that organization. In this case, you cannot tax 501©(3) qualifying churches just because you don’t like Christians. That’s not how taxation works. Lol. I’m sorry that not every church utilizes its funding the way it should. But some of us are doing everything we can, with what little money is coming in, to keep the church alive and growing, and to serve and reach out to our community as much as we possibly can. I love you all… Some people are dumb af… but I still love you all. Good day.