The Status of Religion and the Public Benefit in Charity Law

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Should religious charities be denied charitable status because of political incorrectness

The Status of Religion and the Public Benefit in Charity Law is an apologetic for maintaining the presumption of public benefit for the charitable category 'advancement of religion' in democratic countries within the English common law tradition. The argument consists of three broad fronts. First, there is the quantitative approach that considers practical public benefits, such as church-run soup kitchens or summer camps. Second, there is the qualitative approach that considers the positive effects of religion both tangible and intangible in the lives of individuals. Third, there is the political approach that appeals to the notion of pluralism in a free and democratic society, where individuals are free to establish religious communities that engage in the public square. To varying degrees, all of these approaches are canvassed in this book.

Reviews

This fine set of essays exposes the complex assumptions underlying recent controversies and provides wide-ranging resources for a powerful argument in defence of the historic legal presumption that religion is a public good. Julian Rivers, Professor of Jurisprudence, University of Bristol Law School, UK

This is a fascinating and provocative collection of papers about why advancement of religion should remain a category of public benefit for charity law purposes. At a broader level, it is about the contribution that all religions even those one disagrees with make within a society. An important book. Dwight Newman QC, Professor of Law, University of Saskatchewan, Canada

Does the advancement of religion constitute a public good This timely book addresses the question of religions social value in a scholarly, evidence-based analysis of the issue of public benefit. It will be an influential and most welcome voice in the debate. Mary Anne Waldron QC, Professor Emeritus, Faculty of Law, University of Victoria, Canada

This volume brings together insightful contributions on the promotion of civic good by and through religion. It is required reading in an era where the secular-minded state increasingly threatens the flourishing of freedom of religion. Mark Hill QC, Vice President, International Consortium for Law and Religion Studies

The book makes a passionate argument for the place and public benefit of religion in contemporary society in the context of current debate. The contributors, all well versed in the subject, bring together a wealth of evidence to support their case of the public benefit of religion, from different disciplines and perspectives. Lindsay Driscoll, https://thephilanthropist.ca/2020/07/book-review-the-status-of-religion-and-the-public-benefit-in-charity-law/, published July 20, 2020

Author Bio

Barry W. Bussey is director, legal affairs, Canadian Council of Christian Charities, and associate adjunct professor of law, University of Notre Dame Australia (Sydney). The co-editor of Religion, Liberty and the Jurisdictional Limits of Law (2017), Bussey has, with many years of experience in the charitable and non-profit sectors, written extensively on law and religion.