Entities with religious tax exemptions have grown significantly in the US and in a number of other countries, but few have the kind of breadth of exemptions for“ tax exempt” religious operations like the US. A starting point would be to allow religious“ tax exempt” organizations to continue to receive donations( made freely and without any value being given in return) on a tax-free basis. But all income derived from property holdings( the Catholic Church is widely rumored to be the largest landholder in the Philippines, for example), investments and especially from operating businesses( including things like bingo games, and the sale of books and DVDs) should be taxed. At a second stage, services should be taxed as well, like fees charged for weddings, baptisms, exorcisms, faith healings, funerals and any other religious service“ sold” to members.
Special exemptions can be made for orphanages, soup kitchens, and other organizations that spend their revenue( say with a 90 % hurdle) on free benefits for any person( i. e. benefits cannot be limited to members of the religious organization). Also, persons holding religious office should be taxed the same as ordinary citizens, whereas now there are often things like parsonage benefits( the right to live in a house for free without paying rent) that are explicitly made taxexempt in some countries and US states.
�Monetary Support – Many countries provide cash funding to religious institutions, either directly or indirectly, like financing preservation of crumbling religious buildings. I also include any payments made to support any monarchy or nobility that the country recognizes( for reasons I have previously explained). All these payments are made to the detriment of non-believers, and the funds could be better used to reduce sovereign debt, sponsor libraries, upgrade educational facilities, fund college grants for underprivileged children, etc. Society derives no real measurable benefit from a monarchy or a religion. The prayers of the Archbishop of Canterbury and his flock during WWII did not stop the German bombs from falling on London. Prayers do not aid a country in any way. People do not come to visit a country because of
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