Should religions be taxed like corporations if they generate revenue?

Religions, particularly in countries like the United States, are typically granted tax-exempt status under laws recognizing them as nonprofit, charitable, or spiritual institutions. This status exempts them from income tax, property tax, and often sales tax, based on the principle that they provide public benefit through worship, community service, and moral guidance. However, many religious organizations also engage in revenue-generating activities such as operating bookstores, event spaces, media outlets, or large-scale donation campaigns. To understand this debate, it's important to differentiate between religious institutions and religious businesses. The former refers to places of worship and their administrative bodies, while the latter describes commercial enterprises owned or operated by religious groups that generate income beyond donations. The question arises when revenue-generating activities begin to resemble those of for-profit corporations, especially when they involve the sale of goods, services, or real estate. Historically, the idea of separating church and state has shaped taxation policy, especially in secular democracies. In the U.S., the First Amendment prohibits government interference in religious practice, and this has extended to financial autonomy. Meanwhile, other countries like Germany and Italy have systems where churches are funded through optional church taxes collected by the state.