AMERICAN ATHEISTS, INC.
http://www.atheists.org
http://www.americanatheist.org      
 
For more information, please contact:
Ellen Johnson, President (908)
Dave Silverman, Communications Director (732) 648-9333
Edwin Kagin, National Legal Director (859) 384-7000


          ATHEIST GROUP CLAIMS VICTORY, COUNTY BOARD VOTES
          TO END SPECIAL SALARY TAX EXEMPTION FOR MINISTERS

 
Members of the clergy will now be paying salary taxes just like everyone 
following a vote last night by officials in  Boone County, KY.
 
Two years ago, attorney Edwin Kagin -- National Legal Director for 
American Atheists -- filed suit to challenge a local practice which 
exempted ministers, priests, rabbis, mullah's and other clerics from 
complying with state law, and being taxed the same 0.8 percent as 
everyone else who works for a living.  Kagin cited  the Kentucky State 
Constitution which forbids any direct or indirect public aid to 
religious sects, or the payment of salaries for the clergy.
 
"The tax exemption clearly favored religion over non-religion, and 
elevated members of the clergy to a special position where they didn't 
have to shoulder their fair share of the tax burden," said Kagin.  "This 
levels the playing field and complies with our both of our state and 
federal constitutions."
 
One Boone County official court, Judge-executive Gary Moore, said he 
disagreed with the statute.
 
"I would not normally vote for this," Moore told the Kentucky Enquirer, 
"as much as I disagree with it."  But he said he would comply with the 
state law. Moore added that he told a delegation of ministers about the 
change, and that "They seem to understand it, not happy about it."
 
Mr. Kagin said that officials should have been abiding by the 
constitution two years ago, obviating any need for a lawsuit.   "This is 
what American Atheists does, though, as a First Amendment watchdog 
group.  We find statutes like this being ignored in communities 
throughout the country.  Officials comply only when you threaten to take 
them to court."
 
"We're pleased with the outcome, and that Boone County will be treating 
all citizens equally, and not waste taxpayer money defending an 
unconstitutional practice."
 
AMERICAN ATHEISTS is a nationwide movement that defends civil rights for 
Atheists; works for the total separation of church and state; and 
addresses issues of First Amendment public policy.
 
American Atheists, Inc.
P. O. Box 5733
Parsippany, NJ 07054-6733
Tel.: (908) 276-7300
Fax: (908) 276-7402