Gather your pitchforks, because a Satanic church has just joined the ranks as a tax-exempt church. As it turns out, they’re doing it to make a point, rather than reap the financial rewards of tax exemption.
Should churches be tax exempt?
Another recently formed (but since disbanded) church, TV host John Oliver’s Our Lady of Perpetual Exemption has also called attention to the current system.
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The point isn’t necessarily that churches shouldn’t get government help, but rather, the way the government handles things.
The Satanic Temple is tax-exempt, baby!
Before we get into the nitty-gritty of this wild story, it’s important to make a distinction. This is just one Satanic organization that’s gained tax exemption. The IRS hasn’t greenlit Satanism in general or anything.
Satanism: there’s a lot of politics.
To very briefly summarize, modern Satanism started with the Church of Satan in 1966. There have been splinter groups like the First Satanic Church and Temple of Set . But this is just one of the family trees of Satanism.
Then there’s the Satanic Temple…
This organization was founded in 2013. The thought of a Satanic church gaining tax exempt status may seem odd enough, but how did a church that was founded just six years ago become the first?
It all goes back to George W. Bush.
So way back in 2001, President Bush issued an executive order to establish the White House Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships . The initiative was designed to fund programs run by religious organizations with tax dollars.
It was controversial.
Supporters argued that it would strengthen community bonds. Opponents said it violated the Establishment Clause , a part of the First Amendment which factors heavily into the way churches are governed in the United States.
Opponents had a point.
The Establishment Clause has many benefits for churches — most notably, their tax exempt status. But it was clear about something else as well: public tax dollars should not be used to fund religion.
Where were we again?
Oh, right. Two of the opponents of Bush’s initiative decided to create their own church, one “that met all the Bush administration’s criteria for receiving funds, but was repugnant to them.”
The Satanic Temple was born.
Established in 2013, the founders argued that the First Amendment applies to them just as it does any other church, and that they were compliant with the terms that should give them monetary benefits from the government.
They are officially tax exempt.
The Internal Revenue Service has officially gained tax exempt status. It was a long and winding road from Bush’s 2001 initiative to the church’s founding in 2013 to gaining tax exemption.
What are they all about?
They actually stand for some decent stuff, like community building and charitable initiatives. Their tenets strive for “compassion and empathy,” but also take a few shots at the concept of traditional organized religion.
How did they do it?
The church was founded with the express purpose of meeting the letter of the law, and eventually the IRS was forced to recognize their compliance. They’re the only Satanic organization with this status.
It’s…weird.
Regardless of politics, should an organization that basically exists to troll and counter organized religion really be getting monetary benefits from tax dollars? On the surface, it doesn’t seem right. But it does lead to a larger question.
It leads to a few interesting debates.
When religious organizations don’t have to pay taxes, and when government oversight is lacking, unethical people are bound to take advantage. On the other hand, like, a Satanic church? Really?
Let us know what you think!
Should churches pay taxes? If so, do the same rules apply for all? Are you thinking of creating your own personal tax-compliant church? Let us know (or maybe not) in the comments.
