The Senate Judiciary Committee voted unanimously Thursday in favor of a bill to prevent forcing churches to return tithing paid by members who later file bankruptcy.
Committee Chairman Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, who co-sponsored the bill with Sen. Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, said it protects religious freedom of individuals and churches."Bankruptcy judges have been requiring churches to refund money given by parishioners as a tithe when parishioners declare bankruptcy," Hatch complained.
"Churches and charitable institutions are placed in the precarious and uncertain position of not knowing if and when a court will order them to repay money that may already have been spent."
Hatch added, "It responds to the unacceptable assault on religious freedom that occurs when a federal judge tells an individual that he is not permitted to tithe to his church when his faith requires it."
The bill now goes to the full Senate.