Housing allowances under threat?

The New York Times did an article today about the laws that allow a pastor to take a housing allowance.  Specifically, they question whether the housing allowance is legitimate, in light of the fact that similar staff members of secular non-profits do not receive the same benefit.

They also discuss the option that ordained clergy have for opting out of the Social Security system, a topic that I plan to address in my "Negotiating Terms of Call" series soon.

What do you think?  Should the housing allowance law be extended to include leaders of secular non-profits?  Should tax benefits for clergy be eliminated altogether?

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