I often wonder what would happen to organized religion, if all the related tax deductions were removed. How many of these “holy folks” living off the backs of us taxpayers would continue to operate. The amount of tax free living arrangements afforded these people is astounding. The phasing out of these deductions would mean an enormous shift in our economy. The resulting business of religion would then have to compete for dollars the same way the rest of us do.

Products and services offered by these groups would have to appeal to buyers like any other business. Without the incentive of tax deductible contributions, would the faithful be as quick to part with their hard earned cash? Would the promise of everlasting life and the grace of god be enough to entice folks to empty their wallets. For some who are easily swayed I suspect not much will change. For others whose buying decisions are based on a more critical approach the “smoke and mirrors” that were so enticing in times past might fall to a more discerning audience.

My personal business as a health care provider resolves around providing a service that my clientele need and desire. The benefits of my services are readily apparent to my customers and result in a direct enhancement of life quality. Health or lack of it is a tangible entity for us humans.

Religion also fills a need. People want to believe in something. They want desperately for someone or something to give them answers to things that humans do not currently understand. Religion takes a story about the revelation of god and gives it legitimacy. By dressing it up in scholarship, rituals and hints of supernatural phenomenon, religion becomes believable to many, and demands an absolute belief of its followers. The resulting theology appeals to millions who convince themselves, their friends and families that they are in possession of the true nature of what we as humans cannot comprehend.

So where does this fall short?. If a Devine being really did reveal himself to humanity there would be one faith and we would all know it. Instead we have countless faiths with millions of believers who have convinced themselves that they are the true faith of god.

It is the opinion of BigBrother Burt that organized religion is nothing more than a human fabrication in attempt to satisfy a basic human need. Devine revelation as the basis of every religion is variable and exists as an unprovable assumption. The sooner humanity comes to term with reality, the human suffering and division that comes along with religion will cease. The United States Government as a next step to the constitutional mandate of separation of Church and State, has an obligation to evaluate it’s tax code and start treating religious entities for what they truly are, businesses.

Organized religion has a right to exist. Like any business that influences people to buy into their products and services, they should be subject to taxes when profits are realized. Clergy and theologians do not provide any additional benefits over any hard working Americans and have no reason to  be privy to special treatment under our tax code. The faithful who make donations to their churches and synagogues should not be granted an automatic deduction unless the money is truly earmarked to provide for charitable causes.

The politician that will solve our economic crisis is he or she that is not afraid to challenge the status quo of organized religion.  In doing so religion will have to adapt itself and find compelling reasons to survive. The religious organizations that do survive will have to prove itself to the consumer like any business, to be worthy of their products and services.