Scientology operates as a corporation paying taxes.
donors to non-tax exempt entity do not get a write-off
501c3 limits political lobbying and freedom of speech.
I've heard of one or two independent christian churches that have paid taxes just a decade ago, but the Lois Lerner irs model probably targets them hard if their free voice gets too loud.
AI's take:
Historically what independent christian church paid their own taxes and doesn't use 501c3 or other tax breaks
Based on the provided search results, it’s difficult to pinpoint a specific independent Christian church that historically paid its own taxes without using 501c3 or other tax breaks. However, I can summarize some relevant information:
The tax exemption for churches can be traced back to the Roman Empire and medieval England, where churches were exempted from taxation due to their role in providing social services and relieving the state of certain responsibilities.
In the United States, the 1954 law banned political campaigning by tax-exempt groups, but many churches continue to engage in political activities, often without facing consequences.
According to former White House senior policy analyst Jeff Schweitzer, American churches own $300-$500 billion in untaxed property.
Some churches, like the Alliance Defense Fund, organize “Pulpit Freedom Sunday,” encouraging pastors to endorse candidates from the pulpit without facing repercussions.
It’s worth noting that most churches in the United States do use 501c3 status, which provides tax exemptions and other benefits. However, there might be some independent Christian churches that choose not to register for 501c3 status or take advantage of tax breaks.
One example that comes close to the query is the Broadview Church, mentioned in the search results. Pastor Carl Gregg argues that churches should not rely on government funding or tax breaks, as it restricts their freedom of speech. However, it’s unclear whether Broadview Church specifically pays its own taxes without using 501c3 or other tax breaks.
In summary, while there might be some independent Christian churches that choose not to register for 501c3 status or take advantage of tax breaks, it’s challenging to identify a specific church that historically paid its own taxes without using these exemptions. The majority of churches in the United States do rely on 501c3 status and other tax benefits.