The Tribune reports that Utah is considered to have one of the highest levels of charitable giving in the nation, then states that this is a result of the value Utah places on tithing. Why is tithing considered charitable giving? If this was truly the case, a member of the church would be able to have a contribution to a local food bank count as a portion of the tithing, or deduct the percentage of the real estate tax they pay which makes up for the lack of real estate tax support from the church going to local schools.
True religious freedom would place a higher value in the concept of equivalence — an acre of property owned by the LDS Church would be taxed at the same rate as an acre of property owned by the Catholic Church which would be taxed at the same rate as an acre of property owned by some poor schmuck. The million-dollar house owned by some evangelical minister would be taxed at the same rate as the million-dollar house owned by the banker living next door. A church would be able to deduct the amount of money they spent on charitable works while paying their fair share on their income.
Why should I be forced to support — in my taxes paid — a religious belief which will not support my own beliefs? Why does the idea of religious freedom only go in one direction? The wealth of the church, whether Catholic, LDS, or evangelical, is more a proof of the greatest legal Ponzi scheme ever created than proof of any inherent value of religious institutions, and the tight grip with which they hold onto their wealth brings one to question their commitment to the community as a whole.
Douglas D. Reilly, Logan
