In our world, what they think is:
"The Catholic Church can just sell the Vatican to keep every parish in the U.S. open and if not, oh well, rich white parishioners should shoulder the responsibility for every single charitable thing that the Catholic Church does."
What it would actually mean - parishes in poor and lower income communities would not be able to survive and Catholic Charities - one of the largest providers of social services in the country - would be greatly impacted.
At least in Massachusetts, churches aren't taxed because they are churches. They aren't taxed because they are charities. Many people don't understand that fact.
Now, you want to talk better IRS oversight of churches when they are violating rules against politicking? That's fine, we're totally on board with that. And if you want to talk about greater financial transparency of religious institution? Again, we agree.
But "taxing churches" actually removes the oversight we're already supposed to have on politicking in parishes and churches.
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