More old white men doubling down and missing the point.
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IMPORTANT // Please look after your loved ones, yourself and be kind to others. If you are feeling that the world is too hard to handle there is always help - I implore you not to hesitate in contacting one of these wonderful organisations Lifeline and Beyond Blue ... and I'm sure reaching out to our PRE community we will find a way to help. T.
Religious discrimination bill
- Thread starter RoarEmotion
- Start date
The tax relief to religious organisations is one of my biggest bugbears. I do think the number is inflated however because they do charitable activities that should attract tax relief.It is interesting that now are starting to see the seeds of the reverse happening. Actively espousing hatred against homosexuals seems to be leading to some loss of acceptance in broader society and a reduction of opportunities happening per the Essendon CEO for a day event. Hiding hatred and abuse under belief is being exposed for what it is.
As a hypothetical exercise if a church 'believed' that pedophilia was good and supported by their god and any priest of that persuasion should be allowed to do what they want with kids of that persuasion they would end up in jail. Society would cast them out and end the organization (wouldn't they???)
It's not a far slope from this to churches being allowed to actively discriminate against homosexuals if that conflicts with their faith. It would seem that is illegal but religions want to get that protected via 'religious freedom'. Discrimination causes mental harm for sure. Not as visible as sexually abusing someone but can cause damage.
About Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Intersex Status Discrimination | Australian Human Rights Commission
From 1 August 2013 it is unlawful to discriminate against a person on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity and intersex status under federal law. Same-sex couples are now also protected from discrimination under the definition of ‘marital or relationship status’.humanrights.gov.au
With Australia being one of the least religious countries in the world, it will be interesting how this evolves as non-religion maybe even moves to a majority of the population, and to what lengths the incumbents act to preserve their power.
https://worldpopulationreview.com/country-rankings/least-religious-countries (I guess in north korea you need to believe in the boss)
$30 billion a year supports religion. Would be good to see a party running on exempting this tax break. That money could do a lot more good elsewhere IMO. No wonder religion puts people in positions of power in government.
Religion Costs Australia $31 billion in Taxation Expenditures
The following is a letter to the editor of the Sydney Morning Herald penned by Max Wallace which was not printed. DOGS note that the $31 billion per year in taxation expenditures foregone because of ‘religious’ exemptions would provide Australia with public education and health systems second to...www.adogs.info
Many religious based organisations other things that get caught up in their tax free status that shouldn’t. For example running private hospitals.
It needs to change
Yep so reduced tax or tax exemptions for activities that meet some social benefit criteria make sense. This could then be applied broadly. If there is efficient charity that gets replaced by inefficient government it may not play out that well.
Tax breaks for proselytising / worship / prayer / bibles / churches etc. needs to go (unless proselytising more richmond faithful)
we have a body the approves tax free status called the ACNC, the Australian Charities and Not for profits Commission. they have criteria to make these judgements
Proselytising / worship / prayer / bibles / churches should not be one of them
As an aside when a charitable institution works in aid and relief in foreign countries under the auspice of the UN they have to agree to not try and convert people or work as religious body at all. Similar criteria could be set for charitable institutions to get tax free status here
