The issue of taxes has been so powerful in the history of the U.S., that it was an integral part in the creation of the country. As much as we all hate having to dig in our pockets for those extra couple cents we owe, we all know taxes are necessary- but there are some things we just do not tax. Ever since 1894, churches have received tax exemption from the government.  A hot topic since that time, the privilege is still hotly contested between anti-religious and religious organizations. This privilege, while it is a privilege, is not there for no reason – and is very necessary. Although categorized as a “privilege”, tax exemption status shows our good-will towards organizations that strive to help our community in a positive way. Churches and non profit organizations alike need the freedom from the burden of taxes for the simple fact that they rely on the kindness of people’s hearts to survive. Taking away the tax exemption status of churches especially is nothing but mean spirited. Churches and their staff do nothing but positivity by spreading the good word of their respective religions. Anti-religious activists hell bent on completely scrubbing the public square of religious organizations are the main ones that push for these reforms.  The repealing of church tax exemption would violate the separation of church and state. While no relation at all between the two would be impossible, the exemption keeps it at an absolute minimum.  The two exist knowing the agreement and the only communication is when the church actually applies for the exemption.  If the exemption was repealed, the government could freely raise taxes on religious organizations with no discretion whatsoever. In the Supreme Court decision in McCullough v. Maryland, the court stated that “the power to tax is the power to destroy.”  If the government had to freedom to tax churches, abuse of the system would definitely occur.  Criticism of the current administration and opposing views on hot button issues frequently occur between church and state, but the tax exemption has always kept each party from doing harm to the other.  Churches not only spread the good word and give hope to millions of people, they also are involved in their respective communities to people in need. Taxing churches into the ground would leave millions without places of worship and millions of dependents of churches volunteer work without aid.  The homeless and people in extreme poverty would not receive the help that they get from kindhearted leaders of local churches. For over 200 years churches in the Untied States have received tax exemption status and no problems, economical or social, have arisen. The US is still definitely has not turned into a theocracy, the church has not tried to stage a violent coup to take the government open.  This exemption hurts nobody, and is not a detriment to how our country functions so there is no reason to do away with it.  This 200 year old tradition has kept churches operational and doing good all over the nation free from extra, unnecessary charges.