Geetch, Bread, Moola, Cash, Dough, Money

You know Jesus never even contemplated that Caesar might give money to His church. The transaction was the mouth of the fish, the hand of the disciple, the palm of the tax collector, the coffers of Rome. Nothing was coming back the other way, nor was that expected.

The first amendment of the US Constitution established freedom of religion in the United States and is ultimately the basis of both the church's tax exempt status and the extension of tax deductions on gifts to the church. 501c3 Non Profit Status is relatively new, and is an attempt to regulate organizations looking to escape taxes by claiming to be churches. It establishes some standard regarding exactly what non-profit means and attempts to separate non-profits from partisan politics. There are a number of people who feel that 501c3 interferes with freedom of religion by establishing boundaries, and that it sets a precedent for future restriction on how the church can operate.

Sounds like something for the courts. I only know what any idiot in America knows: the church is rich and doesn't do much good with its money. There are hundreds and hundreds of churches in Portland, Oregon, occupying thousands of buildings on close to 5,000 acres of land. None of that is taxes. If it was taxed, millions of dollars would go into state revenue, at a time when millions of dollars are desperately needed. Taking away the Federal tax exemption on charitable contributions, another good idea, would increase National Revenue nationally by billions of dollars.

Government has not extended tax benefits to the Church out of generosity. The Church has helped tame the Frontier, pacify Native Americans, give hope to slaves, provide sober workers for burgeoning industry, fill an army with eager patriots and give moral superiority to a country that was often absolutely amoral.

The United States doesn't need the Church now. It doesn't need rapid population growth, or people who object to viable ways to keep birth rates down. It doesn't need rigid belief systems, but free thinking and minds open to bizarre solutions for problems not yet encountered. We need people without ties, who can be given to multi-national corporations and can move anywhere anytime on their way to the top. We don't need the family or community or old concepts of humanity. There is a new world order. Buck up and get over it.

It takes decades for radical change to occur, so the Church has some time to get its act in gear.

There is no reason that churches shouldn't be taxed on the value of their property, less the value associated with legitimate academic education or the cost of facilities used to perform a designated function for those at or below the poverty line. I'm no lawyer, but I know it's time to let go of buildings and grounds congregations couldn't afford to operate or own if they had to pat taxes on them.

There are few nations that address philanthropy the way the US does, and fewer who provide tax relief for those supporting its churches. It is important that some giving be encouraged - ministries from missions to disaster relief and beyond, but money given for the cost of operating a church should not be tax deductible.

It's time for Christians to feel the pinch that comes from sacrificial giving. It's time for facilities to be occupied by multiple congregations and for new congregations to meet in available public facilities. Church in a tavern on Sunday morning; in a rec center; in a public school; in the park.
It's time to preserve resources by sharing with members of the body. It's time for less square feet; for multi-generational living situations, for common meals, shared rides and community gardens.

The Church can lead, follow, or get out of the way. Isn't it time to lead? Can't the Church show that we're not about money, status, appearance? The reality of a Century that disavows the need for God is upon us. It's time to take every deliberate action we can to weed ourselves off the largess of America, and not return to the trough to gorge ourselves again. If the State doesn't demand a change in taxes/deductions, let congregations and denominations do it intentionally and voluntarily, and let the money that should have been paid in taxes be given instead to a fund to provide for the desperate needs of our world: hunger, disease, natural calamity, and bankrupt spirits.

American Christian need to understand that the party's over. It's our time to stand up and get moving, and never look back to Caesar for anything, no matter how hard he calls. We're no one's errand boy any longer, no matter what the pay.