Is starting a church a constitutionally guaranteed act of religious freedom?
Yes. Starting a church is most definitely a constitutionally guaranteed act and expression of religious freedom. However, for the purposes of tax law, which is a very important matter for every church to consider, not just every “church” will be considered tax exempt. So long as taxation is the “law of the land,” the state has a “compelling interest” in making sure that only “bona fide” churches–those that are not formed solely for the purpose of skirting the tax laws–secure tax-exempt status.
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