Many religious charities do fantastic work.
But many others fail to provide a public benefit and some cause harm.
It's time to end religious privilege in charity law.
Charity work carried out by people of all faiths and none should be recognised and celebrated. Much of the work of religious charities, such as helping the poor, is secular in nature and beneficial to society.
But there are religious organisations which exploit the privileged status of religion in charity law to conduct activities that do not fulfil a genuine public benefit, and only serve to further religious ideology.
In the worst cases, religious charities may harm society and individuals.
Registered charities must serve a purpose recognised as "charitable". Charity laws specify a list of "charitable purposes," one of which is "the advancement of religion".
Charities must also demonstrate that they provide a genuine public benefit. But guidelines are vague on what constitutes a public benefit, particular in relation to religious activities. There is still an assumption in the charity system that religion is inherently beneficial. This view is not supported by evidence and implies those without a religion are somehow less moral or charitable.
The inclusion of the advancement of religion within charitable purposes gives religion a privileged position in the charity sector. It enables religious organisations to acquire all the benefits of charitable status, including tax relief, gift aid and public respectability, simply by "advancing religion".
It also includes religious organisations that cause harm to society. This includes charities which facilitate religious genital cutting, support the non-stun slaughter industry, and promote extremism, hatred and intolerance of other people.
The NSS believes all charities, religious or not, should be held to equally high standards. That's why we campaign for "the advancement of religion" to be removed from the list of charitable purposes, and for religious charities to be held to the same equality laws as all other charities.
Take action!
1. Write to your MP
Tell your MP it's time for "the advancement of religion" to be removed as a charitable purpose. Enter your postcode below to find your MP and send a letter to them.
2. Share your story
Tell us why you support this campaign, and how you are personally affected by the issue. You can also let us know if you would like assistance with a particular issue.
3. Join us
Become a member of the National Secular Society today! Together, we can separate religion and state for greater freedom and fairness.
Latest updates
Religious groups should deliver public services “on an equal opportunities basis”
Posted: Tue, 9 Jan 2018 17:18
A minister has told the NSS public services must be delivered "on an equal opportunities basis", including by religious groups.
Faith groups ‘shouldn’t proselytise when providing public services’
Posted: Thu, 7 Dec 2017 15:36
The National Secular Society has urged the Government not to allow proselytising in public service delivery after a minister said Christian charities need not hide their faith while providing public services.
On 21 November the minister for civil society, Tracey Crouch MP, said anyone in Government who discourages open expressions of faith must be challenged. She was delivering a keynote speech at an event entitled 'Raising Funds for Christian Charities and Churches'.
"Some of you here feel that successive governments and local authorities have wanted to applaud all the good things that you do as Christians, but discourage you from speaking openly about the faith that motivates you," she said. "I assure you that that is not the intention, and I encourage you to challenge anyone in government who makes you feel you need to suppress your faith."
Stephen Evans, NSS chief executive, said her words could be interpreted as condoning, or even encouraging, proselytising by faith groups contracted to provide public services.
In a letter to the minister, the NSS warned that proselytising can put vulnerable people in particular at risk of exploitation and called for all contracts with religious providers of publicly-funded services to have unambiguous non-proselytising clauses.
"It goes without saying that social action by faith-based organisations has contributed to the welfare of our society," said Mr Evans.
"However, any attempt to give faith-based organisations more room to discuss religion when running public services risks making their services less inclusive. As the Government looks to faith groups to 'fill in the gaps' in public service provision, the risk of discrimination against employees and service users increases, as does the risk of faith groups using public money to proselytise.
"While we acknowledge that faith groups shouldn't be excluded from contracts and grants simply because they have a religious ethos, it is imperative that such groups deliver their services in an entirely secular manner in order to ensure the service is open to all members of the public without direct or indirect discrimination."
Image: Tracey Crouch delivers her speech to the event 'Raising Funds for Christian Charities and Churches'.
