Faith-based charities are resilient, have unique reach, persevere in the face of unique challenges, and are poorly understood, according to the charities themselves. These are the findings of a new report, What a Difference a Faith Makes, published today by New Philanthropy Capital. In response, the British Humanist Association (BHA) has questioned whether service users also believe that faith-based charities make the distinct contributions the charities themselves think they do.
The evidence suggests that religious individuals are no more charitable and no more likely to volunteer than the non-religious. On top of that, the BHA has concern about where religious charities are contracted to provide public services, and the possibility that they might proselytise, or otherwise discriminate against employees and service users, while doing so.
The report also asked the charities, ‘“Through our activities we aim to increase the number of people who share our faith”. The statement did not include the word “proselytise” but at the time we thought the intent of the statement was clear. Responses were split across all answers. Although almost 23% of respondents strongly disagreed with the statement, 19% of respondents strongly agreed.’
However, the report goes on to state that, ‘for many faith-based organisations, sharing one’s faith and proselytism are not the same. Proselytism is often viewed as negative and coercive whereas sharing faith is seen as a way to increase understanding of faith and help beneficiaries with spiritual needs.’
‘Some religious charities certainly proselytise in the provision of public services, for example, state-funded schools through religious assemblies,’ said BHA Campaigns Manager Richy Thompson. ‘But regardless of the extent to which this happens, the fact remains that such charities are legally able to proselytise and discriminate against staff and service users, while providing public services, due to legal exemptions in the Equality Act.
‘While such exemptions continue to exist, we do not think that religious groups should be able to provide such services. And we do not think that reports surveying what the groups themselves think provide much insight into whether or not they provide any public service that other charities cannot.’
Notes
For media inquiries, please contact: Sarah Gillam, Director of Communications and Development, on 020 7324 3060 or 020 3675 0959 or email sarah@humanists.uk
Read more about the BHA’s work on public service reform: https://humanists.uk/campaigns/secularism/public-service-reform/
Read the BHA briefing on religion, belief, and volunteering: https://humanists.uk/wp-content/uploads/1bha-briefing-volunteering-12-10-final.pdf
The British Humanist Association is the national charity working on behalf of non-religious people who seek to live ethically and fulfilling lives on the basis of reason and humanity. It promotes a secular state and equal treatment in law and policy of everyone, regardless of religion or belief.