This could be interesting ....

[watchman]

Interesting piece here …

I really like the line …
“They also have to prove that their activities have a public benefit”
I’m looking forward to that.


www.secularism.org.uk/news/2012/07/charitable-status-of-thousands-of-religious-groups-could-be-challenged


Charitable status of thousands of religious groups could be challenged
Posted: Tue, 31 Jul 2012 16:51

The Charity Commission is seeking to clarify the law on what constitutes a public benefit for charitable purposes and whether some religious groups still fall into that category.
Changes in charity law introduced by Labour in 2006 meant that more than 3,500 religious groups that did not previously have to register for charitable status must now do so if they have an income of more than £100,000.
They also have to prove that their activities have a public benefit.

[watchman]

And so it begins ....

Christians condemn 'unfair' charity ruling ...

The Westcountry branch of an evangelical Christian movement has hit back at an "incorrect" decision to strip away its charitable status and says it threatens its very existence.

Preston Down Trust, which holds services at meeting halls across Devon and Cornwall for the non-conformist Exclusive Brethren, is fighting exclusion under the Charities Act, in what could prove a test case for more than 2,000 religious groups.

The Charity Commission said the global organisation was not "established for the advancement of religion for public benefit" and has questioned whether meetings are open to non-members.

Congregation member Rod Buckley denied the services were exclusive and accused the Charity Commission of "bumbling around".

"We feel aggrieved – the decision is unfair and has created pretty loud alarm bells within other churches and religious organisations – ultimately it could threaten our existence in the UK," he said.

"It would never snuff us out but would cause great concern and could ultimately threaten our property and assets.
"We are very shocked they have come up with this ruling – members of the public are welcome to attend services and it has happened a number of times over the past few years."

Under Labour's 2006 charity law, more than 3,500 religious groups that did not previously have to register as charities must do so if they have an income of more than £100,000.

The non-hierarchical Exclusive Brethren, also known as the Plymouth Brethren, was founded in Dublin in the 1820s and has 16,000 followers in the UK.
The regional group holds services in Torquay, Paignton and Newton Abbot, as well as St Austell.

After the decision in June, Preston Down Trust and Horsforth Gospel Hall Trust in Leeds lodged an appeal with the charity tribunal against the Charity Commission.
The Brethren have no paid clergy or ministers but look to "elders" for leadership, and partake in Holy Communion.

Mr Buckley, who runs a chemical manufacturing business, said the idea that the Brethren excluded non-members was "quite incorrect", though he admitted they needed to do more to raise their profile.

"I refute it 100 per cent – we have said that to [the commission] but it doesn't make any difference," he added
"In many ways we are very similar to the Church of England on points of Christian doctrine, except that we would be regarded as more strict in our following of the teachings of holy scriptures and the Bible."

The Charity Commission declined to comment in detail because of the pending tribunal case, but said of the Preston Down decision: "We were unable to con- clude that the organisation is established for the advancement of religion for public benefit.

"The central issue in the appeal will be whether the public benefit requirement is satisfied in relation to the exclusive Brethren organisations under the law as it now is."

Link...
www.thisisdevon.co.uk/story-16668549-detail/story.html?

[Mr. Jon Donnis]

I would like to see ALL religious institutes lose charity status.

[The Legendary Barb]

So would I.

[mrjohnno]

Cost in the US is just under 70 billion (US$) I believe.