A federal judge struck down a 1951 law that gives members of the clergy tax-free housing allowances.
The Freedom From Religion Foundation filed suit, saying the law unconstitutionally establishes religion.
The ruling said the exemption “provides a benefit to religious persons and no one else, even though doing so is not necessary to alleviate a special burden on religious exercise.”
The Southern Baptist Convention disagreed, saying that without the housing allowance, small congregations without parsonages might not be able to afford ministers.
See an error in this article?
To contact us or to submit an article
