The nation's largest group of freethinkers strives to improve the image of atheists<\/p>\n
The folks who lead the Freedom From Religion Foundation are used to drawing heat. <\/p>\n
In a move opposed by liberal and conservative religious leaders alike, the Madison-based group challenged a federal law that gives clergy tax-free housing allowances. Under current law, ministers can deduct housing costs from their pre-tax salary -- including mortgage payments, property taxes and homeowners insurance -- if the money is designated specifically as a housing allowance. <\/p>\n
The group, which defends the constitutional separation of church and state, won its case in federal circuit court in 2013, but the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals dismissed the lawsuit in November, ruling the organization did not have standing. <\/p>\n
Undeterred, co-presidents Annie Laurie Gaylor and her husband, Dan Barker, a former evangelical minister, plan to prove they've been damaged by the clergy-only tax exemption by applying for it themselves. Once denied, they will file their lawsuit again. <\/p>\n
\"As far as I can tell, every single church in the United States is against us on this, including the Unitarians, Universalists, American Baptists -- they're all gunning for us on this,\" says Gaylor, a short, slender blond who speaks in a high tone with an explosive vocabulary and unwavering conviction. \"The ministers and churches sure don't want to give up their perks and privileges.\" <\/p>\n
Gaylor is used to being the lone wolf on issues of church and state. Even some progressives wonder whether her group should concern itself with crches in public parks or Christmas trees in capitol buildings. <\/p>\n
Or, for that matter, with restaurants that offer discounts to customers for praying in public or showing they are otherwise church-goers. <\/p>\n
The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, in mid-December, took the foundation to task for complaining about a diner in Winston-Salem, N.C., that offered a discount for public prayer. It was not a sympathetic spin. \"You're a dick,\" the correspondent told Barker. <\/p>\n
Barker says he doesn't mind. He used the large platform to make his point -- that so-called church bulletin discounts violate the federal Civil Rights Act because they discriminate against nonbelievers. <\/p>\n
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Continued here: <\/p>\n
Freedom from religion<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The nation's largest group of freethinkers strives to improve the image of atheists The folks who lead the Freedom From Religion Foundation are used to drawing heat. Continue reading