I think you're wrong about much in people's lives of faith, but you are spot on with this. The churches should be taxed for their real estate, for their education systems, and lord god in heaven knows they should be taxed for their publishing.

Why? What does expressing opinions have to do with the profit/non-profit distinction? Obviously, I'm missing something.

Could it be you just don't like Catholic opinion to the extent that when Catholics express themselves you feel a need to punish them somehow?

here it comes...

Rez, do the words "separation of church and state" mean anything to you? And I'm with Crid. Tax them all -- churches, temples, covens, and houses of scientology, whatever you want to call them.

Don't say I didn't warn you...

I could never understand the "don't tax churches" idea. It seems to run directly counter to separation of church and state.

In order not to be taxed, your religion has to be approved by the IRS and other governmental bodies. You have to become, essentially, a state-approved religion.

If, for instance, you wanted to worship Tappan ranges. Fat chance you'll get government approval for your religion. But belive in an etherial spirit no one can see? Hey, that's okay.

Tax 'em all, I say. Many older church organizations have "retreats" and the like that are primo real estate worth countless millions. My grandparents live near a 3,000-acre "retreat" belonging to a major religion near a major northeastern city that must be worth nine figures on the open real estate market.