In God's Name

8-Articles in this series published beginning October 2006 thru November 2007 examine how American religious organizations benefit from an increasingly accommodating government.

Part 1: Favors for the Faithful

Religion Trumps Regulation as Legal Exemptions Grow
By DIANA B. HENRIQUES
From day care centers to nursing homes, rules don’t apply to faith groups.

Part 2: Limiting Workers' Rights

Where Faith Abides, Employees Have Few Rights
By DIANA B. HENRIQUES
For years, U.S. judges have used the separation of church and state to shield religious employers of all faiths from labor laws and most employee lawsuits.

Part 3: Giving Exemptions

As Religious Programs Expand, Disputes Rise Over Tax Breaks
By DIANA B. HENRIQUES
As religious organizations extend their scope beyond traditional worship, government at all levels is increasingly extending their tax exemptions.

Part 4: The Personal Exemptions

Religion-Based Tax Breaks: Housing to Paychecks to Books
By DIANA B. HENRIQUES
Churches and odained clergy of all faiths get a series of tax exemptions that secular organizations and workers do not.

Part 5: Ministry for Medicine

Sharing the Health Bills
By DIANA B. HENRIQUES
Religious exemptions are being tested as more medical bill-sharing ministries compete with businesses that are not eligible for the same breaks.

Part 6: Christ's Mission, Caesar's Money

Religion for Captive Audience, With Taxpayers Footing the Bill
By DIANA B. HENRIQUES and ANDREW LEHREN
Government agencies have been repeatedly cited by judges and government auditors for not doing enough to guard against taxpayer-financed evangelism.

Part 7: Religious Grants

Religious Groups Reap Federal Aid for Pet Projects
By DIANA B. HENRIQUES and ANDREW LEHREN
Earmarks for religious organizations have increased sharply, and some of the groups have hired lobbyists.

Interactive Feature: A Searchable List of Religious Earmarks

Related Article

Federal Grant for a Medical Mission Goes Awry
By DIANA B. HENRIQUES and ANDREW LEHREN
A case of two Coast Guard cutters shows that earmarks to faith-based groups may not achieve their stated purpose.

Graphic: Tracing Two Ships

Part 8: Branching Out

Megachurches Add Local Economy to Their Mission
By DIANA B. HENRIQUES and ANDREW LEHREN
The business interests of America’s megachurches are as varied as basketball schools, aviation subsidiaries, investment partnerships and even a limousine service.

Interactive Graphic: Where Megachurches Are Concentrated
Audio Slide Show: Calling Worshipers, Calling Soccer Teams