Tax exempt status for churches should be pulled

[Alleycat]

http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=13292567&BRD=2185&PAG=461&dept_id=415898&rfi=6

Lackawanna County Democratic Party Chairman Jerry Notarianni said he hasn't analyzed the county numbers but speculated that Mr. Bush's conservative, pro-life message resonated with Catholics.

Pre-election statewide polls gave no hint of that, but Mr. Notarianni said the priest at his church Sunday openly suggested the congregation had an obligation to oppose pro-choice candidates.

"A lot of old people will listen to what the priest says," he said.

And, especially in elections where a candidate might have a say over abortion, church-goers routinely leave Sunday Mass and find anti-abortion flyers tucked under the windshield wipers on their cars, he said.

"The Catholic vote is big in Lackawanna County," he said.




This infuriates me. I am a Catholic all my life. I have been not attending due to the whole pedophile incidents and subsequent cover up by the church. I bothers me that I should listen to them preach to me about morality when they knew and covered up numerous incidents of abuse. One of my great heartfelt causes is against those who prey on the innocent of our society like our children. I stopped contributing back when the stories started to come to light. I have now major issues with this decision to influence our countries direction as well. I believe I am now done with them and it saddens me. I believe in God but not the institution of the Catholic church. They are hypocrites in my mind.

[prodigal_green]

1. ABSOLUTELY

I've never understood why separation of church and state meant they didn't have to pay taxes. All it means is that the tax dollars can't flow the other way.

[jbond56]

2. i agree

All businesses should pay taxes. Churches are businesses.