Deirdre Mack: Churches doing fine

I am a bit confused as to why we need these “religious freedom” laws because from where I sit as a secular person all these churches have a pretty good deal going.

It appears just about any sect or cult qualifies for tax-exempt status, and thanks to the Romney campaign I learned that tithes are termed charitable donations. I’m sure I have never seen a Mormon hospital, food bank or aid center for the poor, only Mormons need apply. I have also never seen any ramshackle churches lately, just large empty edifices on tax-free land.

Our country has a rich tradition of multiculturalism, and I support it wholeheartedly, but we also have a separation of church and state. This mission creep of Christians being downtrodden and being forced to make money from or provide a service to people who differ from themselves appears rather un-Christian to me.

As for downtrodden, I have to pay taxes for beliefs I do not share or receive any benefit from. Poor me.

This story was originally published April 11, 2015 at 4:00 PM with the headline "Deirdre Mack: Churches doing fine."