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Poland is a Catholic country [177]
Either make all money gifts non-taxable, or make everyone pay the same tax rate on them.
You're taking my words out of context. Of course, all gifts to charitable institutions better be tax-free. But Church isn't only a charitable institution. It spends its money on rich and gold dripping churches, on luxurious vehicles, and so on; and as such, its income should be taxed.
A small example: I want a church wedding. The price? "Whatever you're willing to offer, but no less than..." - so the usual. Let's say one grand. I'm assuming these are the costs of the venue (the church), the priests' "hard work", their time, etc. How much tax is being paid on that 1k and why is it 0? Then we have a private ceremony. We also need a venue, time, labor so we spend more money. But that money is taxed.
In both cases I pay for services that I receive (don't even start trying to convince me it's a voluntary donation). The rules should be the same.
All people;e are forced to pay taxes and have no say in which way those money are being spend.
That is actually false. You have a say by electing your representatives. The stance where people feel they have no say can only lead to deterioration of democracy. Yes, we are forced to pay taxes. We live in a social country, so public education - fine, public healthcare - fine, public roads - fine. But siphoning tax money to a religious institution in a country that has secularism written in its constitution - not fine. I shouldn't be forced to support a religion (or its minsters).
jkb: Do priests pay income taxes, social security or health insurance in the same amounts as other employees do, then?
Priests pay only 20% of their social security premiums. They also have their premiums calculated based on minimum salary. Please do your homework.
jkb: Before it was a voluntary donation. Now you're claiming it's hard work.
Right. These are voluntary. So, following your logic, you can go have a party with a DJ, who would take money for his services, but since you can have a party without him, his remuneration would be considered a voluntary donation. Good thinking. I would like to familiarize you with the term "voluntary donation". It means presenting something willingly as a gift, acquired by the other side without compensation. Here, we clearly have a service (priest/church preparing and attending the wedding) and the payment for it (the money you *cough* "donate"). A taxable transaction.
Do you think that priests do not work hard?
Awesome. Let them be rewarded for their work. By people who want their services and are willing to pay for them. If I don't want their services, I don't want to pay for them.
Like religious teaching?If not, substantial tax deduction.
Right. So, if one day (hope not) Poland is overrun by islamic majority and they - democratically - enact a law which would put all declared Christians in jail, you'd be fine with that? Democracy works because there are checks and balances, because the majorities are required to protect the minorities. Because we have a constitution in place. Otherwise we have something that's called a tyranny of majority, which would suppress minorities' rights.
As for the democratic process, we have our constitution enacted in such. And then we have the concordat that was signed single-handedly - something quite undemocratic. Since the constitution is the supreme law of our nation, we made it our law, which clearly says the state is secular. Hence, yes, I believe pouring tax money into church's pockets is wrong.
Regarding religious teachings. You can't possibly put an equal sign between teaching math, science, Polish or English and teaching fairy tales, prayers and indoctrinating our kids. The former should be subsidized in a social country. The latter should be eliminated from public funding. Move catechesis back to the church, where it belongs.
I would go further, lets Catholics worry about education of their children themselves and no tax from them on the education system in Poland.
As I stated before, I'm all for small government. The more control people have over their money, the better.
jkb: The charitable help to people is just a small part of the money that flows through the church
Again, there is no transparency. The church should report every single grosz it receives, just like any other person, institution, NGO, charity. Then, everything that was given away as charity should be tax free, everything else - taxed. Simple as that.
It is not the Church that take tax money but the government.
Semantics. The governments takes tax money and gives it to the church.
That could be remedied quite easily - by returning all estate confiscated by Soviets as it should be done.
And how much is that exactly? And how much has already been given back as a compensation? In all possible forms?
Pick on the Tusk then it his fault - if you dare. Ranting about the Church is safe. That the secret.
The secret to what? I don't like Tusk and I hope PO loses power as soon as possible. The privileges of the Church haven't changed, no matter what party was ruling the country. I think that's what needs to change presto.
Well, ain't Catholics an majority in Poland and ain't the rule of democracy state that majority rule.
Read up. If the majority tells you to praise Allah 5 times a day or be booked into the big house, then maybe you'll start thinking about the rights of minorities.
jkb: Sounds exactly like church's finances to me.
Say what? Our church leaders are lobbyists. Can't you see how they influence the ruling class?
jkb: Your way of thinking reminds me of the ways of military juntas.
Well the problem is that incoherence with this arbitrarily set moral law, which is written into current legislature, poses real problems to people who choose not to follow it, including jail time. As for the assassination, I have absolutely no idea what you are talking about...
