By Sandra Dunham
When I tell people that I am for secularism, friends often agree, but then ask, “Why does it matter?” Let’s be clear. I am happy for individuals to choose to belong to a religious group and I hope that they are comforted by their belief system and the people they meet in their faith community. However, I do not want their choices to cost me money…but they do!
Over the next year, CFIC, with assistance from some of our humanist and atheist friends, will be exploring the cost of religion in Canada. We start with an exploration of lost income tax revenues related to charitable tax credits. Think this number is insignificant? Think again. Our most conservative estimate puts this amount well in excess of $1.5 billion! Watch for Part One of the Cost of Religion — coming soon to an inbox near you!
Would you like to help CFIC complete the Cost of Religion series? Please consider making your own tax-deductible donation to CFIC.
This article appears in the November 2019 version of Critical Links.