The Power to Tax is the Power to Destroy

We recently reported on the insanity of the Supreme Court decision in Kelo v. New London, CT. The Court’s decision expands government’s eminent domain powers to include taking private property for commercial use, a gross misinterpretation of the constitution that threatens private property owners across the nation.

Christianity Today reports that Churches and other religious institutions should be concerned as well. CT reports:

"City governments will be emboldened to some extent by the Court's decision, and may begin to target church properties," Richard Hammar, editor of Church Law and Tax Report, told CT.

Derek Gaubatz, director of litigation for the Becket Fund, concurred. "It is not an idle concern," Gaubatz said. Because of their tax-exempt status, churches "will be in the crosshairs" of local governments seeking more tax revenue, he said.

This is certainly not an idle concern. Many cities have already tried to use zoning ordinances to prevent church growth. The City of Stafford, TX is just one example.

The Supreme Court’s decision gives government another very powerful tool in its greedy onslaught against religious freedom.

Many states and the Congress have started working on legislation to limit government’s eminent domain power. Of course, the Constitution already limits that power, but no one seems to notice. So, we must wonder, if the Constitution is going to be ignored, what use is new legislation?

I fear that this insane decision has set in motion a chain of events that flies in the face of every principle and ideal this nation was founded upon.

–J.E. Heath
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