Conflicting Viewpoints Essay (Essay Sample)

Conflicting Viewpoints Essay-Part II
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Conflicting Viewpoints Essay-Part II
Critical thinking is a skill that helps people look at phenomena through an intellectual eye, assisting them make informed decisions. In that case, it requires the critical thinker to be honest with themselves and accept when their opinions are deficient. Essentially, critical thinking helps people look at conflicting views on various phenomena, and through it, people uncover both good and bad thinking. Additionally, it is paramount to note that critical thinking on conflicting issues is closely associated with the believing game. Consequently, one can now listen to different views from their own, hold back, as well as express their opinions accordingly. For that matter, critical thinking brings forth the real ideology whereby one has to believe in the opinion of others when they agree that their own opinions are wrong or lacking. Just like in the first paper, this paper evaluates conflicting opinions on whether or not churches should be taxed. Personally, I hold the opinion that churches should be exempted from paying taxes. I oppose church taxation by seconding what Holland (1970) states; it endangers the free expression of religious activities.
In addition, there are three reasons that I borrowed from procon.org to support my position. Firstly, by exempting churches from paying taxes, we are protecting the Establishment Clause engraved in the First Amendment of US’s constitution that separates the church and state. Secondly, by taxing churches, we will be going against the Free Exercise Clause as prescribed by the First Amendment of our country’s constitution whereby the free expression of religion will be endangered. Thirdly, since the church earns reputation by contributing to a righteous society, it should be exempted from paying taxes (Mendham, 1825). Nevertheless, those supporting the notion of taxing the church think that taxes are a privilege and not a right. These opponents state that the church should adhere to the constitutional requirements even though they bring a positive contribution to the society.
In essence, the above reasons ought to be looked at from a deeper perspective if their strength is to be realized. Firstly, the first two reasons are simply stating that the idea that churches are not taxed was engraved in the US’s constitution right from its birth. In the First Amendment, there are two important clauses that support the exemption of the church from paying taxes. The Free Exercise Clause was enacted at the birth of the US Constitution and was upheld by the Supreme Court in 1974. In fact, the Supreme Court stated that exempting churches from paying taxes is in line with this clause as it boosts the desired separation of church and state. In other words, each party has minimal involvement with the other. The second Clause, the Free Exercise Clause, explains further why there is a need to have separation of the state and church. The main reason why there has to be a separation between the two is to avoid the state from imposing decisions or its power on the church. The church must have its freedom of expression that is free from exploitation by the state.
In the process of substantiating my reasoning, there are two biases that may have hindered by thinking. The first one is a belief that those that champion the taxation of the church are non-believers or pagans. In other words, since they are associated with other religions other than Christianity or have no religion at all, they cannot understand the underpinnings of exempting churches from taxations. The second one is the fact that I belong to the Christianity fraternity, and by all means, I oppose any suggestions that would seem to harm the church or contravene the doctrines of the Church.
Likewise, being a Christian is the major group identification factor that had an effect on the biases faced when supporting my position. As a Christian, I find it immoral to impose taxes on the Church. Christianity does not support associating monetary things with the conduction of its doctrines, be...