Recently some constituents have written to me to
ask me to support the National Secular Society’s campaign to remove ‘the
advancement of religion’ as a charitable purpose.
They say that the society finds that too many
religious charities are receiving public funds without delivering wider public
benefits and, in some instances, using public money to promote extremism and
harmful practices.
I am aware of the strength of feeling that many
have expressed when it comes to the issue of what role religious groups
including charities should play in our society.
Like all charities, a small proportion of religious
charities are misused by others and used in ways the public would not expect.
The Charity Commission has that said they have been
made aware of the report and will review it carefully. They also gave this assurance:
“The Commission deals with these issues robustly where they arise.”
Historically, in our country the concept of charity
has often been closely linked with a religious sense of duty about helping
others.
One of the reasons why the advancement of religion
has been recognised as something that is for the public benefit is because of
this connection between religion and charitable endeavour.
Religious belief and faith has, by its nature, both
personal and public dimensions. In relation to public benefit, it is the public
dimension that is of primary importance. Where religion helps to provide a
moral and ethical framework for people to live by it can play an important part
in building a better society.
Under the Charities Act of 2006, charities on the
Charity Commission’s Register with aims that include advancing religion have to
demonstrate the way in which they carry out their aims is for the public
benefit, as per all other charities.
As a firm believer of the fundamental freedoms of
practicing and expressing one’s religious beliefs, I support the right of
religious charities to carry out their charitable work, insofar as they are
deemed beneficial to the wider public good and abide by the rules that all
charities including secular ones have to follow.
