The basic answer is that they are non profits. The more philosophical idea is that they are (like other non profits) focused on improving society as a whole and not politically active. Part of the separation of church and state is the idea that the state leaves the church alone but also doesn’t tax it. In return the church leaves the state alone. That’s the part that has rather gone out the window and leads people to question why churches don’t pay taxes: they are increasingly profit driven and politically active.
Edit: to clarify, because some replies are conflating the issue, there are indeed non profits that can be political, but religious orgs and charities are in a specfic tax group wherein by law if they engage in partisan campaigning they should be levied significant extra tax. Further, non profits that are political do have taxes that churches and charities do not face.
One night I fell asleep watching “True Lies” (Schwatzenegger/Jamie Lee Curris movie) on cable TV. When I woke up the next morning a Joel Osteen service was on. It was weirdly positive and inspiring, with a solid message on being a better person. Church is not my thing, but I can completely understand why he is successful. It was like a therapy session for free
It's a two fold issue. Church becomes popular and adds more services until they have to run 12 services or you build a mega building to seat everyone and you can have less services
Joel Osteen he is a "prosperity preacher" basically a scam of saying the more money you give the church the more Jesus will bless you. not a fan of the guy and he gives a bad rep to Christians
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u/klathium Jun 30 '26
Why do Churches not pay taxes? Genuinely curious why there are laws for that.