ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Tuesday, March 25, 1997 TAG: 9703250072
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: A-6 EDITION: METRO
TYPE: LETTERS
About ``Tax the T-shirts - and the choir robes,'' March 21:
From JIMMY R. STEVENS, Troutville
I agree with you 100 percent. Any time you exempt someone from the law of the land, you are, in fact, making special laws for, in this case, the church. In Virginia, you're required to have liability insurance on your automobiles. Ministers' cars are not exempt.
From FRANCES FEAGANS, Roanoke
I think you hit it right on the head when you said the obvious, simple thing to do is to repeal all sales-tax exemptions for churches. It should go further that than. Churches should be taxed along with other institutions.
From JAMES R. BOWMAN, Daleville
Once again you have shown your disregard for any and all religious activities, Christian or otherwise, but most especially Christian. You apparently think our society would be much better off being atheistic and not having any morals whatsoever.
From CAROLYN DUNCAN, Boones Mill
Churches should pay taxes on everything because I think religions are getting too rich. Why should they be exempt when I'm not?
From BETTY SWAGGERTY, Boones Mill
I am in the family day-care business, and every single item I buy I have to pay taxes on. Yet I compete against churches that are able to charge day-care rates far less than I can charge because they pay no taxes. They get the same benefits from taxes that I do. Why should one pay taxes and not another?
From KATHIE DICKENSON, Christiansburg
I think churches should continue to have tax exemptions just like other nonprofit organizations. It has nothing to do with the ministry they are carrying out or the religion they represent. It has to do with being a nonprofit organization.
From ELLIOT WHEELER, Roanoke
Instead of taxing the T-shirts, remove the sales tax entirely. It's the most regressive tax there is, and the fairest solution is to eliminate it.
From GELENE THOMPSON, Roanoke
Since churches are supported by donations from citizens from their income that's already been taxed, this is taxing them again. Religious activities should be tax-exempt.
LENGTH: Medium: 56 linesby CNB