[donw]

I don't take issue with them having a large pile of money, or with what they do with it.

My problem is that they don't act in the public interest, which is what a non-profit is supposed to do.

The Red Cross pulls in about half what the Mormon church does, and while quite a bit gets eaten up by overhead costs, even more goes to providing medical aid and supplies to those in need -- regardless of color, creed, sexual orientation, or coffee preference.

The Red Cross doesn't lobby to deny basic human rights to 'undesirable' groups. They don't have investment holdings in insurance companies and real estate. The Red Cross isn't members-only, where you have to 'join the club' to receive aid.

The Red Cross helps anybody in need.

The Church (pick one) exists solely to further the interests of its members -- shareholders, if you will -- at the expense of other groups.

This is why I say The Church is a business, and as such should be taxed as one.