There have been a few "is atheism a religion?" threads recently. They've had a few people insisting that yes, atheism is a religion.
This raises a question that I've asked a few times without response:
Religions, religious ministers, religious adherents, etc., often have special rights, privileges, and benefits. If atheism is a religion, shouldn't atheist groups get the same special treatment that churches receive? Shouldn't individual atheists get the same treatment that religious individuals receive?
Do you agree that atheism should be protected by religious freedom laws?
If you think that churches should be tax-free without having to file financial statements, do you agree that atheist organizations should also have this privilege?
Should donations to atheist organizations get the same tax credits as donations to a church?
Should "atheist ministers" be entitled to the parsonage allowance that religious ministers receive?