Details about this story

• Source: New York Times
• Date: October 08, 2006
• URL: Read the story
• Bylines: Diana B. Henriques , Andrew Lehren
• Topics: Federal Government , Tax
• Data Types: Federal Data
• Description/Excerpt: Diana B. Henriques of the New York Times, with contributions by Andrew Lehren and Donna Anderson, examined federal laws passed since 1989 to find "more than 200 special arrangements, protections or exemptions for religious groups or their adherents were tucked into Congressional legislation, covering topics ranging from pensions to immigration to land use." The paper described several instances in which religious organizations enjoy benefits that similar secular organizations do not. "As a result of these special breaks, religious organizations of all faiths stand in a position that American businesses - and the thousands of nonprofit groups without that 'religious' label - can only envy."