Constitutional Law, International, Politics, Religion

Oh Pickles: Scientology Could Face Loss of Tax Exemptions in England

English communities secretary, Eric Pickles, has proposed that the government may want to withdraw tax breaks for the Church of Scientology — noting controversies over the Church’s activities and alluding to the general view in England that it is more of a cult than a religion.

Scientology is not treated as a religion in England but still receives financial benefits as a charity. In 1984, the organization was described as a cult by a high court judge.

Yet, the City of London Corporation has asked Scientology to pay only one-fifth of the tax rates for its London headquarters near St Paul’s cathedral.

Pickles questioned whether Scientology can be described as beneficial for society to justify the saving of millions in tax payments: “The Church of Scientology is not a registered charity, since the Charity Commission has ruled that it does not provide a public benefit. Nor are its premises a recognised place of worship.”

Indeed, in 1999, the Charity Commission ruled that the church did not pass the “public benefit” test required for advancing religion as a charitable purpose. He also cited the negative views of Scientology by a majority of English citizens.

I am not familiar with English law on the subject but such a basis for rescinding tax exemption would be rejected in the United States – particularly the unpopularity of the Church with the majority of citizens. Such a test would invite a dangerous level of subjectivity and majoritarian control in the denial of benefits.

Source: Guardian

211 thoughts on “Oh Pickles: Scientology Could Face Loss of Tax Exemptions in England”

  1. Blouise,

    “Why can’t we just throw all these teabaggers in the Boston Harbor and be done with it?”

    Not such a good idea! Do you know how long it took to clean up the hahbah in Bahston???

    Do you remember this song?

    [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kqKHqWaTv9g&fs=1&hl=en_US]

  2. “In this morning’s WDEL debate, Christine O’Donnell was not questioning the concept of separation of church and state as subsequently established by the courts. She simply made the point that the phrase appears nowhere in the Constitution. It was in fact Chris Coons who demonstrated his ignorance of our country’s founding documents when he could not name the five freedoms contained in the First Amendment.”

    http://voices.washingtonpost.com/plum-line/2010/10/sharron_angle_and_christine_od.html

  6. Buddha Is Laughing
    1, October 19, 2010 at 3:12 pm
    Pointy Birds
    O pointy birds,
    O pointy pointy.
    Anoint my head,
    Anointy-nointy.

    – John Lillison (aka Steve Martin)

    ===================================================

    lol

  7. Gyges,

    … Baptists will give you another take on this going to John the Baptist …. Catholics even another going to the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary without original sin …. and on and on and on

  8. Pointy Birds
    O pointy birds,
    O pointy pointy.
    Anoint my head,
    Anointy-nointy.

    – John Lillison (aka Steve Martin)

    Tony,

    Tsk, tsk, tsk. How’s that persuasive speech thingy working out for you?

  9. SM: Agree about Joe Miller. Thanks for the update via the link.

    The article was interesting as were some of the comments. How much of the following is true remains to be seen. Having said this, I find it interesting:

    (beginning of comment) They took his camera and cleared all images from the event. The police wanted to check it for evidence of tampering, but Hopfinger kept it as needing it for his work. Destruction of evidence is a crime, and makes the original battery, kidnapping and imprisonment much worse.

    Guns are not allowed on school property. Miller carries (concealed). Were the mercenaries carrying guns? That is a crime.

    Fulton claims that his security force is wholly comprised of disabled veterans, including Blackwater mercenaries. You can’t use limbless men for security, so what disability… PTSD? Drugs? Or is he claiming tax credits for hiring vets, when they are still active duty?

    Where did Fulton get all those US weapons for his “surplus” shop? Do their serial numbers match any of the tons of gear looted and missing from the war zone? Blackwater is infamous for its raiding of the storage units over there. Theft and conversion of US property are also crimes.

    The Drop Zone had an expired business license. It renewed the license for the store AFTER this event, however the license for the security business is still expired. Not only is his business a danger to the public, but UNLICENSED… and that, too, is a crime. (end of comment)

  12. Gyges,

    I have the degree but no one in their right mind would call me a Christian.

  13. Gyges,

    You’re right … almost. I was taking a shortcut. Christos is the Greek for “anointed one” which was established by the resurrection thus the phrase “Jesus, the Christ” .

    Jesus stated, “I have come to glorify the Father, and do nothing of my own accord.” … he’s still a man and perhaps the Messiah (political and religious leader)depending on the beliefs which you as a Jew at that time held.

    After the resurrection Jesus becomes the “anointed one” and then eventually part of the Trinity as “Father, Son, and Holy Ghost” … the Holy Ghost being the spirit of the 3 in 1 which descends bestowing the Grace of God.

    The Messiah was as you stated (political and religious leader) but in Christianity the Messiah also took on the additional meaning of the “anointed one” or Christos. But that anointedness (my word) could not be determined until he had risen and thus proven life everlasting. Thus just plain Jesus or even Jesus, the Messiah before death … Jesus, the Christ (now anointed with life everlasting and “Son” of God)after death.

    I’m still using shortcuts as this is all part of theology which is the science of religion. There are many different “schools” of theology … mine would be the “Congregational/Unitarian school of theology.

  15. Swarthmore mom: “It is considered the new form of voter suppression.”

    Er, um…

    “Leading Democrats is like herding Cats” – John W. Dean

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