Protect public from harmful religious charities, NSS urges minister

The National Secular Society has urged the new civil society minister to ensure the public is protected from religious charities with harmful agendas.

In a letter to Stephanie Peacock, the new Minister for Sport, Media, Civil Society and Youth last week, the NSS expressed concern that some religious organisations are exploiting the third sector to "further their narrow ideologies without benefitting the public - or, worse, to the detriment of the public".

Registered charities must fulfil one of the legally recognised charitable purposes, one of which is "the advancement of religion". Charities must also demonstrate that they provide a genuine public benefit.

Charities accused of performing exorcisms and promoting extremism

The NSS said there is an assumption in the charity system that religion is inherently beneficial, which is "an outdated view that is not supported by evidence" and implies those without a religion are less moral or charitable.

It highlighted several recent examples of charities registered under "the advancement of religion" that have promoted harm.

They include Universal Church of the Kingdom of God, which has been accused of performing exorcisms on children and 'conversion therapy'; more than 40 charities that promoted antisemitism and extremism shortly after the Hamas attack on Israel; and four charities which hosted extremist preacher Ibtisam Elahi Zaheer. The NSS has since reported four more charities to the Charity Commission for hosting Zaheer.

The NSS urged Peacock to review "the advancement of religion" charitable purpose, with a view to removing it if it is found to enable inequality and harm in the charity sector.

Labour pledge to work with faith organisations

The NSS also called on the Government to protect public services from religious imposition.

The Labour Party's manifesto said it would work with faith organisations to deliver its objectives. The NSS said the Government must ensure any plans to partner with religious organisations "do not come at the expense of equality and fairness".

In countries where religious groups are eroding the principle of separation of religion and state, human rights are "increasingly at risk", the NSS said.

It added that the previous Government's policy on engagement with faith groups led to many problems. These included public money given to groups that proselytise to vulnerable beneficiaries and express hateful views about other religious groups under the 'faith new deal' fund.

NSS: Charity law "charity law opens the door for organisations with regressive, divisive and harmful ideologies"

NSS head of campaigns Megan Manson said: "Contributions to civil society by people of all faiths and none should be recognised and celebrated.

"However, charity law opens the door for organisations with regressive, divisive and harmful ideologies. Meanwhile, outsourcing public to services to faith groups without proper safeguards puts vulnerable people at risk of proselytising and discrimination.

"We call on the new Government to tackle the continuing problem of harmful ideologies being advanced by charities registered under 'the advancement of religion'.

"We also urge the Government to ensure any groups contracted to deliver community services do so without discriminating against anyone and do not attempt to proselytise while delivering community services."

UPDATE 19/08: The NSS has also written to Yvette Cooper MP, Secretary of State for the Home Department, asking for her to consider charities as part of her review into strategies to crack down on people "pushing harmful and hateful beliefs".