The letter from Craig Hill (MyCity Logan, January 24-30) has several misconceptions in his desire to apply full taxation to religious organisations.
Selectively choosing a couple of large churches/denominations shows a serious lack of understanding of the whole issue.
The great majority of churches in Australia are scattered around the country and are generally self-funded by their local congregations.
Some years ago each local church had to provide a manse for the minister as he was transferred from another city or state.
Very often their stipend was close to the bottom of a living wage, and the taxation system had a valuable tax-deductible component so that the minister could afford to clothe and feed their children and pay the cost of fuel to visit outlying congregants.
Today, however, most ministers purchase a new home proximate to their church facilities.
However, I will agree with Craig Hill that the considerable tax deductions that were previously very important, should now be seriously investigated with a view to bring some high-salary ministers back in line with the general population.
Completely missing from his argument is the very significant contributions made by local churches and denominations in terms of providing volunteers and paid staff to aged care, hospitals, schools, youth welfare and assistance in broken homes – to name just a few.
As a former volunteer hospital chaplain for several years, we provided critical care support to the medical staff in times of great turmoil.
David Stevens,
Park Ridge.
