This petition was submitted during the 2015–2017 Conservative government
Petition Stop advancement of religion being considered a charitable purpose.
The law recognises the advancement of religion as a charitable purpose. Religion includes all faiths and none it includes a religion that does not have a belief in God. Advancing any belief system alone should not be considered charitable activity.
More details
Some belief systems may help people but assessing whether the beliefs themselves achieve benefit is subjective. Public money through gift aid should not be available for this. Religious organisations should have to show other public benefit to qualify as charity and should only be allowed to use public money for that other purpose.
This petition closed early because of a General Election Find out more on the Petitions Committee website