Having said that - I completely agree, for the most part anyway. Except I think small churches would be hit badly though, just like small businesses are.
I agree wholeheartedly on this topic. Churches are mostly little businesses and they are getting off with a bundle at tax payer expense.
Someone commented that the countries without separation of church and state had the least religiosity. He thought it was because the state took over the religious teaching and made it so boring people couldn't stand it. But in the USA the state had nothing to do with it, gave them tax free status and the churches did their best to entertain members to the max so as to get more members and more money. And it's been working wonderfully.
Poor LDS, Inc. changed their business model to make themselves boring and tiresome and look what's happening. I predict the younger marketing men climbing the ladder at LDS, Inc. will see the marketing reports and try to change things back to a more entertaining and attractive model. Mark my words. More sports, balls, and parties with less beatings and threatening. Bednar will be the hold out. : )
A good starting point would be the requirement, as other many other countries have, to force the opening of non taxed church financial statements up for public scrutiny.
These churches do use public police/fire protection etc. and I do not want to have to subsidize their industry.