Expert: Austin Cline - 11/7/2011

Question
I am a new subscriber to Austin Cline's newsletter and have enjoyed reading his opinions.  I am interested in reading his or other's opinion on the issue of the tax free and non-profit benefits churches and religious organizations enjoy that seem to be unfair to others, including individuals, companies, and other organizations, as tax payers, do not have.  Religious organizations are not required to "open their books" to public scrutiny and frequently use this to their potential benefit or gain, at tax payer expense.  I would like to know your opinion as to the constitutional and practical fairness of this, and what efforts, if any, are being done to challenge these organizations and their continued right to shield themselves behind the veil of their tax free and non-profit status.  Finally, what realistic hope do we as secularist or atheists have in changing the law to close these loopholes?  Are their active groups that I can contact to lend my support?

Answer
All my articles on tax exemptions for religious organizations are here:

http://atheism.about.com/od/churchestaxexemptions/

Large changes in the laws are unlikely - they enjoy too much support.

If you want to join any groups that fight for church/state separation, I recommend:

Freedom From Religion Foundation
Americans United
American Atheists