Secular victory: Religious income tax exemption ruling..

[Youssuf Ramadan]

http://www.examiner.com/article/secular ... titutional

Secular victory: Religious income tax exemption ruled unconstitutional

In a victory for secular Americans, a federal court has ruled a religious income tax exemption that allows "a minister of the gospel" to not pay income tax on a portion of their compensation to be unconstitutional.
On Thursday, U.S. District Judge Barbara B. Crabb for the Western District of Wisconsin issued a strong, 43-page decision declaring unconstitutional the 1954 "parish exemption" that allows "a minister of the gospel" to not pay income tax on a specific portion of their compensation.
About her decision Crabb wrote: "Some might view a rule against preferential treatment as exhibiting hostility toward religion, but equality should never be mistaken for hostility. It is important to remember that the establishment clause protects the religious and nonreligious alike."
The decision could have far-reaching financial ramifications for pastors, who currently can use the untaxed income to pay rental housing costs or the costs of homeownership, including mortgage payments and property taxes.
The unconstitutional law, passed by Congress in 1954, allows a clergy member to use the untaxed income to purchase a home, and then, in a practice known as "double dipping," deduct interest paid on the mortgage and property taxes.
The 1954 bill's sponsor, Rep. Peter Mack, argued ministers should be rewarded for "carrying on such a courageous fight against this (godless and anti-religious world movement)."
The Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF), which brought the lawsuit along with their co-presidents, Annie Laurie Gaylor and Dan Barker, consider the ruling a significant victory with far-reaching ramifications. Gaylor called the lawsuit "a sleeper," saying it has received little media attention and may not be widely known by religious organizations. That will no doubt change with this win, she said. Given the dollar figures at stake, she expects clergy members to pressure the White House to appeal the decision to the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Chicago.
"The Court's decision does not evince hostility to religion — nor should it even seem controversial," commented Richard L. Bolton, FFRF's attorney in the case. "The Court has simply recognized the reality that a tax free housing allowance available only to ministers is a significant benefit from the government unconstitutionally provided on the basis of religion."

Well it's a start....  

[Hijiri Byakuren]

Reddit earlier today. Pretty good stuff. It's not a total abolishment of religious tax exemption, sadly...

[Solitary]

It's about time!  :roll:  Solitary

[AllPurposeAtheist]

The next thing you know ministers and pastors will have to cut off limbs to feed lions in liberal godless zoos.. :shock: :-P

[leo]

All religions should  pay taxes. Religion is a business after all.

[Poison Tree]

The ruling is on hold till it undergoes appellate review which, unfortunately, I doubt it will survive.

[AllPurposeAtheist]

The ruling is on hold till it undergoes appellate review which, unfortunately, I doubt it will survive.

Of course it won't. SCOTUS will drop the hammer and declare the clergy is 'special' because god says so..even if it has utterly no basis in law or even in the babble..

[mykcob4]

http://www.examiner.com/article/secular-victory-religious-income-tax-exemption-ruled-unconstitutional

Secular victory: Religious income tax exemption ruled unconstitutional

In a victory for secular Americans, a federal court has ruled a religious income tax exemption that allows "a minister of the gospel" to not pay income tax on a portion of their compensation to be unconstitutional.
On Thursday, U.S. District Judge Barbara B. Crabb for the Western District of Wisconsin issued a strong, 43-page decision declaring unconstitutional the 1954 "parish exemption" that allows "a minister of the gospel" to not pay income tax on a specific portion of their compensation.
About her decision Crabb wrote: "Some might view a rule against preferential treatment as exhibiting hostility toward religion, but equality should never be mistaken for hostility. It is important to remember that the establishment clause protects the religious and nonreligious alike."
The decision could have far-reaching financial ramifications for pastors, who currently can use the untaxed income to pay rental housing costs or the costs of homeownership, including mortgage payments and property taxes.
The unconstitutional law, passed by Congress in 1954, allows a clergy member to use the untaxed income to purchase a home, and then, in a practice known as "double dipping," deduct interest paid on the mortgage and property taxes.
The 1954 bill's sponsor, Rep. Peter Mack, argued ministers should be rewarded for "carrying on such a courageous fight against this (godless and anti-religious world movement)."
The Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF), which brought the lawsuit along with their co-presidents, Annie Laurie Gaylor and Dan Barker, consider the ruling a significant victory with far-reaching ramifications. Gaylor called the lawsuit "a sleeper," saying it has received little media attention and may not be widely known by religious organizations. That will no doubt change with this win, she said. Given the dollar figures at stake, she expects clergy members to pressure the White House to appeal the decision to the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Chicago.
"The Court's decision does not evince hostility to religion — nor should it even seem controversial," commented Richard L. Bolton, FFRF's attorney in the case. "The Court has simply recognized the reality that a tax free housing allowance available only to ministers is a significant benefit from the government unconstitutionally provided on the basis of religion."

Well it's a start....  

It's a start but it isn't even close to what should happen. Granted the backlash of this ruling will be enormous and well funded. They will be calling the judge an "activist judge" even though she didn't bring the lawsuit nor did she rewrite law. That won't stop the fundies from smearing her in public.

[stromboli]

They've been getting money for centuries to support their religions. Think its time they ask their all powerful, all knowing and infinitely wealthy god to pony up some moolah.

[kilodelta]

"But He loves you. He loves you, and He needs money! He always needs money! He's all-powerful, all-perfect, all-knowing, and all-wise, somehow just can't handle money! Religion takes in billions of dollars, they pay no taxes, and they always need a little more. Now, you talk about a good bullshit story. Holy Shit!" -G.C.