John
10-16-2010, 01:51 PM
Communities Secretary Eric Pickles said he did not believe most voters would back favourable rates for the organisation.
The Charity Commission ruled in 1999 that the group, which numbers Tom Cruise among its members, is not a religion.
Mr Pickles said this decision should be taken into account when local authorities were weighing up whether to grant tax relief.
"Tolerance and freedom of expression are important British values," he said.
"But this does not mean that the likes of Church of Scientology deserve favoured tax treatment over and above other business premises.
"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.
"I do not believe the majority of the public would want their own council to be giving special tax breaks to such a controversial organisation."
His comments come amid reports at least four councils, including two in London, have given the church rates relief for buildings in their areas.
A Church of Scientology spokesman told The Guardian newspaper: "Local council authorities, Government bodies in this country and many others, and the European Court of Human Rights have all recognised the religious nature of Scientology or the fact that Scientologists are actively helping those in their communities as a direct reflection of their religious beliefs."
Source - Yahoo News.
The Charity Commission ruled in 1999 that the group, which numbers Tom Cruise among its members, is not a religion.
Mr Pickles said this decision should be taken into account when local authorities were weighing up whether to grant tax relief.
"Tolerance and freedom of expression are important British values," he said.
"But this does not mean that the likes of Church of Scientology deserve favoured tax treatment over and above other business premises.
"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.
"I do not believe the majority of the public would want their own council to be giving special tax breaks to such a controversial organisation."
His comments come amid reports at least four councils, including two in London, have given the church rates relief for buildings in their areas.
A Church of Scientology spokesman told The Guardian newspaper: "Local council authorities, Government bodies in this country and many others, and the European Court of Human Rights have all recognised the religious nature of Scientology or the fact that Scientologists are actively helping those in their communities as a direct reflection of their religious beliefs."
Source - Yahoo News.