While We're All Paying Taxes, Churches Aren't. And Bill Maher Is Sick of It.

"Why in heaven's name don't we tax religion?"

In honor of the impending tax deadline, Bill Maher came for religions on Friday night, demanding that religious institutions start paying taxes like the rest of us.

"[Religion is] a sexist, homophobic magic act that's been used to justify everything from genital mutilation to genocide. You want to raise the tax on tobacco so kids don't get cancer, OK. But let's put one on Sunday school so they don't get stupid," Maher said.

He quoted L. Ron Hubbard, the founder of Scientology, who once said the best way to get rich was to start a religion. And it's true that religions have a lot of money and assets. Religious institutions own $600 billion in property, none of which is taxed. 

Maher also noted that 22 percent of Americans have no religious affiliation. Among young people, the number is even higher; 35 percent of millennials do not identify with a religion.

"Almost a quarter of us are being forced to subsidize a myth that we're not buying into. Why am I subsidizing their Sunday morning hobby? They don't subsidize mine," Maher complained. Cue a photo of Maher and Woody Harrelson with a giant purple bong. 

Easy like Sunday morning.


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