MP Letter: Charities

Removing 'the advancement of religion' as a charitable purpose

Let your MP know why 'the advancement of religion' should be removed as a charitable purpose.

You can read our report "For the public benefit?" here

MPs receive a lot of research and correspondence from campaigning organisations. When their constituents also share these reports it shows that voters care about this issue.

You can use the below template to share the report and its findings and recommendations with your MP; just enter your postcode to get started. Please consider taking the time to personalise it. Let your MP know:

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Dear {{name}}

I urge you to call for a reform of charity law so all charities, whatever their ethos, serve a genuine public benefit without harming anyone.

I am extremely concerned that charities registered in the UK are promoting intolerance, extremism and division – all under the charitable purpose of ‘the advancement of religion’

The inclusion of the “advancement of religion” as a recognised charitable purpose 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 evangelising or holding other religious activities.

While many religious charities do good work, many others exist to promote fundamentalist ideologies which are not in the public interest. These include charities which facilitate religious genital cutting, support the non-stun slaughter industry, practise ‘gay conversion therapy’, and promote homophobia, misogyny, and other anti-democratic values. Many examples can be found here: https://www.secularism.org.uk/news/tags/Charity

Charities must demonstrate 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.

Please advise the ministers responsible to review the status of "the advancement of religion" as a charitable purpose, with a view to aligning the charity sector with public expectations and ensuring all charities do good, not harm.

For more information, please see https://www.secularism.org.uk/charities/.

Thank you for your time on this matter. I look forward to your reply.

Yours sincerely,

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MP Letter: Charities

Removing 'the advancement of religion' as a charitable purpose

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