Law, Crime & Justice

» Brian Tubbs - I disagree

The Catholic Church is not above the law in the United States. It never has been. The advantage that Catholic priests have in sometimes circumventing or avoiding prosecution is that they work for a large organization that can transfer them around. And that brings in jurisdictional issues between states, etc. But, technically, the same is true for large global commercial enterprises.

I think one way that the U.S. government can hold Catholic priests accountable is via more federal investigations and prosecutions. States are at a disadvantage with any large organization that crosses state lines.

I have no idea where you're coming from w/ respect to the tax exempt thing. Are you saying that the U.S. government should JUST take the Catholic Church's tax exempt status away - as a means of punishment? Or are you suggesting that the U.S. should rip away the tax exempt status from ALL religious assemblies and organizations?

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» njkaters - I disagree

In response to I disagree posted by BrianTubbs:

All tax exempt status should be removed from religious organizations. Brian, I agree on your point about commercial enterprises and I have always advocated for harsh punishments for CEOs and other upper echelon business people who break the law. As well, business and religious organizations should be held to close scrutiny for organizational problems, like the transfer of troublesome individuals from one place to another. No one should be above the law and our laws and law enforcement should reflect that.

-- posted by njkaters

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» Brian Tubbs - Tax exemption

In response to I disagree posted by njkaters:

Man, you're harsh. And I can't go along w/ you here.

If you're going to allow tax exemption for charity giving, you HAVE to allow it for religious giving. At the VERY, VERY least, you have to allow a tax exemption for churches that perform charity work.

But, still....think about the IRS Tax Code and all the tax breaks that are given. Political advocacy groups qualify for tax breaks, so long as they don't endorse candidates.

If you're going to grant tax advantages to charity organizations, non-profit advocacy organizations, community clubs, etc. and NOT do so for churches...that's religious discrimination. Pure and simple.

You've just positioned the government of the United States in an adversarial relationship with religious assemblies (churches, synagogues, etc) all across America.

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