Taxation and Churches

Most Religions and their Churches are not taxed at any of the three levels of government, at least in America.  This can cause a great burden on the rest of the citizens in a particular area since all the citizens, even those who belong to no Church, must pay more in taxes so that the Church does not have to pay any taxes.  This may seem to violate the separation of Church and State that Americans are so proud of claiming to follow.  However the Constitution of the United States only forbids the United States Congress from enacting a law sponsoring or prohibiting a religion.  It does not prevent he various States from so doing. 

In the past in some countries the local people had to pay an extra tax to support the Official Church.

It is worth noting that while Donations to a Church are Tax-Deductible, at least in America, if and only if, you Itemize your deductions, the same donation to a Masonic Lodge is not Tax Deductible.  More proof that Freemasonry is not a Religion. 

See Should Religions (Churches) be Exempt from Taxation?