tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8892431191483614652.post1864069156429110934..comments2023-10-28T00:56:40.007-07:00Comments on The Theophilus Project: The Freedom From Religion Foundation's Spite for the Small-Church PastorEric Atchesonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08636018318959243368noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8892431191483614652.post-80963207889602657812013-11-26T10:49:01.925-08:002013-11-26T10:49:01.925-08:00Additionally--it isn't just up to my church: t...Additionally--it isn't just up to my church: the tax code treats my status as self-employed for payroll tax purposes as mandatory: http://blog.agfinancial.org/bid/103570/Five-Things-to-Know-about-the-Minister-s-Housing-Allowance-RulingEric Atchesonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08636018318959243368noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8892431191483614652.post-10458782861721505942013-11-25T20:51:51.329-08:002013-11-25T20:51:51.329-08:00Here's a question--if that is really how it wo...Here's a question--if that is really how it worked--taxpayers allowing the churches to pay less to their employees and thus unduly benefiting them as religious organizations--then why isn't the FFRF making as big a deal about trying to end that practice as they are the housing exemption?<br /><br />Funny story, though, about why I don't work to get the rules changed--I'm a pastor, not a politician. I work full-time (more than full-time, really) tending to and growing the congregation that God has entrusted to me. They are the most important part of my job; I did not (nor did the vast, vast majority of us) get into ministry to get rich. I have no union to represent me or lobby the government on my behalf, it's just me. Public shaming is about the extent of my powers on this one.<br /><br />But I'll end with this: I'm not asking the taxpayers to support me; I'd be perfectly happy (and I know many of my colleagues would as well) to trade our housing exemption for being treated like every other employee as far as FICA taxes are concerned. But it also isn't as though we are the only class of taxpayer that enjoys deductions particular to us. Just ask any homeowner.Eric Atchesonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08636018318959243368noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8892431191483614652.post-56149119676986170922013-11-25T00:24:03.526-08:002013-11-25T00:24:03.526-08:00It would seem a lot of the problem is internal to ...It would seem a lot of the problem is internal to the churches. If they place a special burden on their workers, should they not be the one paying them? <br /><br />Why should it be the taxpayers allowing the churches to pay less to their employees?<br /><br />And if there are indeed unfair taxing rules on church employees, why do you not work to get them changed?<br /><br />As it is now other charitable organisations cannot get the parsonage exemptions, only churches are applicable. The law was expressly made to support the spread of religion - in dire opposition to the constitution.<br /><br />I am sorry if both the government and the churches stiff the clergy, but that does not make it right to demand that the tax payers support you, you should have your union demand a living wage from your employer, and lobby the government to change any unfair tax burden.<br /><br />In fact Dan Barker was once a preacher, getting thye parsonage exemption. when he went to work for FfRF he could not get it any more - simply because FfRF is not a religious organisation, so othe people have suffered by losing the exemption too.skongstadhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02236209345603259938noreply@blogger.com