Even if that were more than a meaningless platitude, why do churches need to be protected against that more than everyone else?

Churches/Mosques/Synagogues/Temples are the source of moral glue holding society together.

The ongoing societal cratering about us will only be hastened by levying taxes on them.

But perhaps that's the goal?

The "ongoing societal cratering" is led by the most vocally religious people.

Religious institutions may be some kind of glue, but certainly not a moral one.