The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 7th Circuit for reversing a decision by U.S. District Judge Barbara Crabb that declared the clergy housing tax allowance unconstitutional.
Family Research Council President Tony Perkins made the following comments and spoke on behalf of over 40,000 pastors who make up the group’s church network. He welcomed the appellate decision striking down Judge Crabb’s ruling stripping away pastors’ tax-free housing allowance.
“We commend the 7th Circuit for holding accountable a judge whose name became virtually synonymous with religious harassment when she tried to strike down the National Day of Prayer as unconstitutional four years ago,” Perkins said.
Going back to Patrick Henry in 1785, Perkins said society has tried to relieve the clergy’s housing burden because of the tremendous social benefits churches offer the culture and because so many clergy, despite their exceptional educations, receive only modest salaries.
“Through charitable work for the homeless, substance abuse, marriage counseling, adoption and other initiatives, the church’s outreach helps treat a lot of the social ills that otherwise would become the burden of taxpayers and the federal government,” Perkins said. “What’s more, the Supreme Court has already made it clear that these sorts of tax laws don’t injury anyone—which is why Judge Crabb’s decision ended the same way as her last attack on religion: in embarrassment.”
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