Religious Charities: consultation

Action please: please point out to the Charity Commission that teaching people about Christ is a genuinely charitable aim which doesn't need any ulterior justification. Knowledge of Christ is held by the UK's 70% Christian majority to benefit the recipient: end of story. Similarly with prayer: most people in the UK think that prayer is a good, and therefore a proper charitable object, like knowledge, artistic excellence or natural beauty. There will always be disputes about whether particular charities are wasting their time and money; Christian charities have to justify themselves to their donors like everyone else. Christians are not suggesting that non-Christian religious charities be stripped of their charitable status, so leave us all alone!

From Christian Concern for our Nation: The Charities Act 2006 removed the legal presumption that charities established for the advancement of religion have purposes that are for the public benefit. ‘Public benefit’ is not defined in the Charities Act 2006 and it has specifically been left to the Charity Commission to consult on the matter. Christian charities will now have to prove their ‘public benefit’ to the Charity Commission. It is of concern that the Charity Commission has said it will interpret ‘public benefit’ in the light of ‘modern conditions’ and what this could mean for Christian charities that exist for evangelism or which promote traditional Christian teaching on family and life issues.

Although the Consultation period ends on 6th June we would still encourage you
to write to the Charity Commission with any concerns you may have as this will
demonstrate to them the depth of concern amongst Christian charities.

The address for the Charity Commission is Charity Commission Direct,
PO Box 1227, Liverpool, L69 3UG or email enquiries@charitycommission.gov.uk