tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-606201113344523885.post2272732523685895519..comments2024-03-28T00:46:19.476-04:00Comments on Religion & American Law: C Street Curch?Brantley Gasawayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02894338478934982958noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-606201113344523885.post-70845452372428307942010-03-10T22:03:47.487-05:002010-03-10T22:03:47.487-05:00I agree that tax-exempt status being granted to ch...I agree that tax-exempt status being granted to churches is a sticky situation, as it opens the door for excessive entanglement. I also think that David brings up an interesting point by saying that religious institutions should not receive tax exemptions. I found myself wondering just exactly where the monthly fee of $600 goes. The C Street Center seems to be more of a hotel, or as the articles mentioned, a club, rather than a church. Parishoners do not pay a fee when they attend their mass services, and it just seems a bit funny to me that the senators pay such a hefty monthly fee of $600 to attend their "church."LaurenJunehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16027419015184103681noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-606201113344523885.post-69494023749020751842010-03-10T21:03:43.197-05:002010-03-10T21:03:43.197-05:00My issue with this is that the C Street Center is ...My issue with this is that the C Street Center is almost masquerading as a church. I’m not sure of the exact policies here, but the article mentions that public worship is a requirement for being classified as a church and I would agree that an organization that does not welcome anyone wishing to worship with them should not be granted tax-exempt status. It is a bit worrying to see how entangled this organization is with these members of Congress, and although I don’t think that is unconstitutional, I do think it is something those Congressmen’s constituents should take note of.Shannon H.https://www.blogger.com/profile/08626019400571797708noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-606201113344523885.post-77220806122087178602010-03-10T18:40:24.387-05:002010-03-10T18:40:24.387-05:00While I agree with much of what has already been s...While I agree with much of what has already been said, specifically David's argument that no religious organization should be given tax exempt status, I believe that a lot is being made of the fact that politicians may be swayed by the teachings of this religion. Isn't that kind of how we all live - somewhat in accord with religious moral teaching - regardless of the religion at the root? Don't most politicians vote based on religious ideas and beliefs for many of the important and divisive social issues in our society? Abortion, same-sex marriage... Many people take the stance they do on these issues because of religious moral teachings, politicians included. In my opinion, this is is acceptable and more often than not beneficial, as long as everyone is still afforded free exercise and no official religion is established. I don't think the C Street Center should receive tax-exempt status and I think that politicians probably shouldn't live there, but asserting that politicians should never be influenced by their religious beliefs is a pretty unrealistic ideal.Rob Khttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09518459658642878711noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-606201113344523885.post-55224910170877065332010-03-10T17:19:33.909-05:002010-03-10T17:19:33.909-05:00Like Abby mentions in her comments, it is clear th...Like Abby mentions in her comments, it is clear that many of the issues that were brought up in the Bob Jones case are still relevant today, nearly thirty years after the ruling. Like I argued in class last week, I do not think that any religious institutions should receive tax exempt status. It creates an excessive entanglement of religion and the state, and should not be allowed. I strongly believe that in this case, where the C Street Centerhas received this exemption. By housing politicians within its rooms, I feel as though the church that is funding the Center is putting itself into the political debate. The political leaders who live there may be swayed to decide on issues based on what the religion believes. This should not be allowed, and the politicians should take it upon themselves to find a new place to live. This center clearly entangles itself with political leaders, and should not be given exempt status from taxes.David Ihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07948232761379728007noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-606201113344523885.post-32463291474630320782010-03-09T13:19:10.238-05:002010-03-09T13:19:10.238-05:00This case regarding the C Street Center, as was di...This case regarding the C Street Center, as was displayed by the post, certainly does raise a number of constitutional issues. This case does parallel that of the Bob Jones University case, which was discussed at length in class. This particular case, however, is a bit more complicated in that the C Street Center seems to have more political clout and power than that of Bob Jones University. Also this case once again brings up the question of whether or not this center qualifies as a charitable organization in order to receive tax exemption in the first place. Also one could go even further and raise the question of whether or not churches should have tax exempt status at all. As was discussed in class, one could make the argument that by giving churches tax exempt status, this proves to be an excessive entanglement of church and state. In this particular case it is apparent that there are a myriad of constitutional questions that must be addressed. Also one can certainly see that although the case regarding Bob Jones University was heard a number of years ago, many of the questions that were addressed in that case are still relevant in cases today.Abby Phttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06162338278428970964noreply@blogger.com