Be it the window or Poll tax,
the question as to what is an equitable or a reasonable
taxation has always excited a lot of protest.
That is why the question of tax exceptions is one which should
concern us all.
We all think that we are over taxed,
but just how many of us think about how just the payment or
none payment of taxation may be.
At present within Britain all religious comminutes are except
from paying any council ( local authority ) tax.
While most of the churches or religious bodies are registered
as Charities,
and thus gain many tax advantages.
Yet Pacifist bodies, ecology action groups have to pay their
taxes in full.
Why should this be so?
Because under the present law Churches are deemed as being
charitable bodies,
while Pacifist and Eco action organisations are considered to
be ‘political’.
If a group of atheists were to establish a community or body to
combat the extremes of any religion, then they would not be
able to be registered as a charity,
or get all of the tax benefits which go with this.
That would be deemed to be a political activity.
Yet Religious bodies who campaign against good atheist values
do get these various tax benefits.
Now just tell me that this is not political?
This makes no sense at all,
as all religions involve themselves in politics,
even if they hide it with the expression:
‘ Spreading the word of god ‘.
Just to take two examples:
– They campaign against the rights of women to make their own
decisions upon contraception and abortion.
&
– Interfere upon just what may or may not be taught within our
schools.
Just look at the website for the
Charity Commission for England and Wales
and you will see just how many religious bodies are registered
as charities.
This includes such controversial bodies as the
Universal Church Kingdom of God.
A church whose activities has aroused a lot of concerns over
the last few years.
On the other hand we have the case of many pacifists who are
taken to court for refusing to pay any war taxes.
This is despite the fact that Pacifists have a legal right to
exercise a conscientious objection to conscription.
Clearly there is an urgent need to change this system,
and give one the right to exercise a conscientious objection to
all war taxes.
Though the long term aim should really be to abolish all
military organisations.
Equally importantly: –
The whole question as to the charitable status of all religious
bodies should be examined,
They should be made to take pay their share of the tax burden,
as it is inequitable that we should all be forced to subsidise
them this way.