How Much More Screwed Up Can We Get? GOPDD: Nuts:Department of Justice Declares Atheism a “Religious Movement,” Qualify For Same Tax Exemptions Given To Clergy…

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By: Amy

MADISON, Wis., Aug. 26 (UPI) — The U.S. Justice Department says in a legal filing leaders of an atheist group qualify for the same housing tax exemption priests receive.

The paradoxical position comes in response to a lawsuit by the Freedom from Religion Foundation in Madison, Wis., which seeks to end the parsonage tax break granted to priests, ministers, rabbis and other clergy by the U.S. government. The tax break allows them to claim part of their income as a tax-free housing allowance.

Annie Laurie Gaylor, who receives a $15,000 housing stipend from the Freedom from Religion Foundation, is suing the federal government because she has to pay taxes on that money while “ministers of the gospel,” as the law defines priests, do not.

In response, the federal government said rather than agree to end the parsonage exemption it could be extended to Gaylor because she is the leader of a religious movement — albeit one that does not believe in God.

Legal maneuvering aside, Gaylor told The (Nashville) Tennessean the government has missed the point of her lawsuit — not to mention the fundamental difference between her atheist group and a religious order.

“We are not ministers,” she said. “We are having to tell the government the obvious — we are not a church.

 http://gopthedailydose.com/2013/08/28/nutsdepartment-of-justice-declares-atheism-a-religious-movement-qualify-for-same-tax-exemptions-given-to-clergy/