As the UK Charities Act 2006 removed the presumption that groups existing for the advancement of religion/?

Question

education and/or relief of poverty provide public benefit, what will happen to religions' freedom of belief and worship if this Act is used to bleed them financially despite them doing tremendous good in society?

I work for a Christian charity that does massive amounts of social work - demented elderly, youths, drug/drink addicts, homeless etc. It does NOT prosyletise people it cares for but DOES help them due to its Christian beliefs. Imagine if someone uses the Act (saying the org. disagrees with current views on morality) so it must lose charity status. Secularists could argue it's not for public benefit by holding to Christian belief on abortion or human sexuality. Public views on morality change every year. Christian ones don't.

Yet what about religions that use charity status merely to make more money and increase membership? They exist. They need exposing but surely law should target them alone? Why use morality and public opinion as yardsticks? Hidden agenda?

Answer 1

Sasi,
While I am a U.S. citizen and not a subject of the U.K. I couldnt help but weigh in on this. There are movements in the U.S. that surface periodically to abolish the tax exempt status of religous orgs over here also.
As I pointed out in a recent question regarding this issue, what many people do not realize (on both sides of the debate) is that the ability to "tax" and/or "over-regulate" religious institutions is the Power to Control those same institutions.
If an institutions or religious orgs beliefs falls "out of favor" or becomes "politically incorrect", then they can simply be "taxed" out of existance.
Too many people simply cannot see past their own belief system to see the bigger picture inherent in this.
It is far better to tolerate the "shams" and frauds than to over-react by painting all with the same broad brush.

Now, with that being said, what should Institutions do (especially Christian ones) if it comes to that?
Simple. The "regular" folk will simply have to give more to cover the taxes and extra expenses. After all, the Church is called to do certain things regardless of what the "world" does or think.

I will add one other thing. Regardless of the consequenses, the Church (The real Body of Christ) must ALWAYS prosyltize. That is the MAIN purpose and mission of the Church. Otherwise, God might as well have taken us "home" the instant an individual receives salvation.

If a political body passes a law/regulation stating that an Organization CANNOT prosyltize or risk losing its standing as a "Charitable" Org, then that law MUST be ignored. ("We ought to obey God rather than men") If it means that taxes must be paid then they must be paid. If it beomes impossible for the Org to pay the taxes AND fulfill its mission (preaching the Gospel with the aim of producing converts) then the Gospel comes first. Even if that means the Church in effect goes "underground".

I think that this scenario is closer than we think. Too many folks in the Church have closed their eyes to the prevailing Anti-Christian "winds" that are blowing in the unbelieving world.

....theBerean

Answer 2

The Berean has given an excellent response and has vocalised the real threat which has to do with the control of religion by the state. It is an insidious manoeuvre - the thin edge of what I suspect will be a very large wedge. And, as he has pointed out, this is not unique to the UK.

Whereas the Salvation Army and charitable organisations like Christian Aid may well emerge unscathed by this change in legislation, I can see hundreds of small charitable organisations having to close their doors. I know of a small Christian charity that works with people in prison. The workers are volunteers and their only income is from donations, but because they actively proselytise, I could see how they might become a prime target to anyone with an axe to grind against Christian charitable organisations.

On the other hand, we have the so-called 'Church' of Scientology desperate to be given charitable status in the UK. In my opinion, this is a classic example of where charitable status should be denied. The organisation is a money-making machine which pretends to be a religion. But what about Jehovah's Witnesses - they are a self-proclaimed publishing company with millions of volunteer publishers. After all, they exist purely to proselytise and are well known for practising the 'charity begins at home' concept. How does the amendment to the Act affect them?

If the presumption that groups existing for the advancement of religious education and / or relief of poverty provide public benefit has been removed, does this mean they have to PROVE they provide a public benefit? If so, will the Church of England have to comply? Has anyone informed the Queen (defender of the faith and head of the Church of England)? Somehow, I cannot visualise the Church of England (or the Catholic Church, for that matter) being driven underground here in the UK, but I can begin to see how government legislation could force minority groups (especially Christian charitable organisations) to either "put up or shut up".

Public opinion on morality has already been used in the UK to make it illegal for anyone who operates a bed and breakfast business to refuse a double room to a homosexual copule. This change in legislation means that Christians who operate bed and breakfast businesses must either ignore their consciences or go out of business. Now this is not a negative comment about homosexuality - but it does illustrate how freedom of conscience is being eroded. Where is it going to end?

The prospect of Christian religions being driven underground is not as far-fetched as it might seem. It happens in China and in some Islamic countries. Perhaps it's time for British and American Christians to sit up and take notice of what's going on. Although we are confident in God's sovereignty and put our trust in Him, that does not mean we should be complacent. Thanks for bringing this to our attention.

Answer 3

I agree with the Berean. There is a slowly increasing anti-Christian movement within the European Union which is reflected in UK national and local government. There is growing, albeit somewhat subtle, persecution. At the same time volunteering is also decreasing due to heavy-handed legislation which is also affecting Christian groups. As a consequence, many Christians are now investing their efforts in other countries. [Dare I say it - Ellel in the USA]

Answer 4

All our money controlled by banks with computers. One World Money.
North and Central and South American Union. E.U. United Arabs for Allah
One world Government soon?What did Isaiah and Ezekiel and Jeremiah say.
Look and see.

Answer 5

The PC world is becoming incresingly anti-christian.
Jesus never back down from the truth.
The gospel needs to be preached (along with the charity help).

Answer 6

superb by ability of me - being as i'm a witch (please do thumb me down, you do no longer even understand me) yet there are extra substantial issues taking place top now that could desire to be prevented & no longer in basic terms pardoned posthumously...

Answer 7

God knows what is going on. Maintain your faith and pray alot.