Crosswords1 min ago
Faith, Hope? and Charity?
34 Answers
Just finished reading an interesting article about charitable status, tax relief on donations, and the charity commission.
I have long felt that the rules surrounding what constitutes a charity are more than a little nebulous.
http:// www.pol itics.c ...avou r-from- the-tax man
from the article
"Why is it reasonable for taxpayers, through gift aid, to subsidise attempts to convert them to beliefs which they might regard as immoral or obnoxious? What matters to society is the behaviours which are inspired by belief. Religion is capable of inspiring acts of charity, altruism and respect for other people, but it is equally capable of inspiring intolerance for other people, cruelty and violence."
Any thoughts or experience of the charitable sector from contributors here?
I have long felt that the rules surrounding what constitutes a charity are more than a little nebulous.
http://
from the article
"Why is it reasonable for taxpayers, through gift aid, to subsidise attempts to convert them to beliefs which they might regard as immoral or obnoxious? What matters to society is the behaviours which are inspired by belief. Religion is capable of inspiring acts of charity, altruism and respect for other people, but it is equally capable of inspiring intolerance for other people, cruelty and violence."
Any thoughts or experience of the charitable sector from contributors here?
Answers
It seems completely wrong that a politically/ religiously motivated donor can give a dubious, quasi- religious charity (say) £50,000 and then I and other taxpayers (who may loathe and detest everything the religious charity espouses) have to cough up another £12,500 without any consultation at all.
C' mon LG, best answer surely?
22:36 Wed 12th Sep 2012
@Mike - The article seems like a reasonable analysis to me.The articles under which organisations can apply for charitable status are far too nebulous, and religious organisations get an easy ride from the taxman. Why do you think Scientology fought so long and hard in the US to reclaim its charitable status, originally stripped from them by the IRS.
Your post seems like your usual ad hominem attack on anyone critical of religion, and says a lot more about your inability to contribute anything remotely resembling useful input than my inability to think...
Your post seems like your usual ad hominem attack on anyone critical of religion, and says a lot more about your inability to contribute anything remotely resembling useful input than my inability to think...
Ha ha! Thank you Duncer. :o)
LG, //I have long felt that the rules surrounding what constitutes a charity are more than a little nebulous.//
I agree. Having been heavily involved with two major charities, leading to involvement with many others - and insight into many others, it strikes me that for many it's simply a ploy to gain the benefit of special status whilst offering little benefit to the community at large.
LG, //I have long felt that the rules surrounding what constitutes a charity are more than a little nebulous.//
I agree. Having been heavily involved with two major charities, leading to involvement with many others - and insight into many others, it strikes me that for many it's simply a ploy to gain the benefit of special status whilst offering little benefit to the community at large.