Dear Editor:
While the Senate currently reviews options for strengthening the charitable sector, their conclusions should not come at the expense of the religious community.
Further, in deliberations, it should be formally recognized that freedom of conscience, religion, thought, belief, opinion, expression, and association are fundamental freedoms entrenched in the 1982 Charter of Rights and Freedoms, and by extension applies equally to every citizen — under the supremacy of God.
However, the concern for professing believers is that the Senate may reject the academic/historical/empirical research that repeatedly points to higher levels of generosity and volunteerism within faith communities, and a higher proportion of civically engaged citizens, in favour of a mandate whereby after-tax contributions can only go to secular non-profits.
This outcome, even though churches bring tangible community benefits that are not always measurable in dollars, such as pro-social attitudes and behaviours that enhance the multiplier effect of community oriented activity.
Moreover, recent stats show that only 10% of refugees in a government-sponsored program will find a job. However, the same program taught within a church environment results in 90% finding sustainable employment. Undoubtedly, religiosity is a major determining factor in giving and volunteering, but when these pro-social behaviours are modelled and practiced, the public benefit extends downward to youth.
Financially, from the Canadian Council on Christian Charities — “one third of Canadians who are considered very religious, or committed to a belief system already provide more than 40% of all the funds raised by secular charities. Conversely, the 40% of the population who are non-religious give only 30% of the donations received by secular charities.”
Thus, while the prime minister continues his crusade wherein Christians need not apply, he should note that if Christians stop giving, it will be more than the secular organizations relying on contributions from faith-oriented persons that will lose.
Jan Kaikkonen,
Wellington North