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Jehovah's Witnesses Tax Exemption May Have Cost City $368M, Critics Say https://www.dnainfo.com/new-york/20160204/dumbo/jehovahs-witnesses-tax-exemption-may-have-cost-city-368m-critics-say/ "CHURCHES IN BUSINESS" Awake Magazine https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/lv/r1/lp-e/0/55899 "IN RECENT years there has been growing evidence that churches are deeply involved in big business, much to the consternation of a great many people. They have invested huge sums of money in a wide variety of business enterprises. Because the profits they receive from these businesses are very often tax exempt fewer taxes come in to all levels of government. This creates a greater burden for the average taxpayer. An article appearing in Reader’s Digest of March 1969 discussed this tax loss and said: “For federal and state governments, church-owned and church-operated businesses represent a large loss of revenue—the taxes that would be collected if the enterprises were run by competitive private industry. It is impossible to calculate the loss exactly, but responsible estimates put it at $6.5 billion a year.” Think how much individual taxes could be reduced if these taxes were paid. This loss is just in the United States. Other countries are also losing from tax-exempt church income from businesses. The religious organization that truly is serving God, in harmony with the example set by Jesus Christ, concentrates on preaching and teaching the liberating truths of his Word and does not become involved in commercial businesses. Following the Bible’s instructions, it does not involve itself in “the commercial businesses of life.”—2 Tim. 2:4. I tell you that on the day of judgment people will have to account for every careless word they speak. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.” Matt 12:36,38