Quote:
Originally Posted by Chris
Good grief. Reading between the lines a bit there aren't we?
Damien has -repeatedly - made the case that legal status is the concern here, due to the way religious organisations are treated under law. In his argument it has absolutely nothing to do with which religion is superior to another. If you are in any way familiar with Damian's posts on this forum over a great many years, you ought to be quite content that he has no agenda of favouring one region over another.
His argument, and mine, is that changing the way the law decides what is a religion has consequences far beyond Scientology. Such changes, therefore, ought to be debated in Parliament and then legislated for, and should not be subject to the opinions of a few judges, no matter how esteemed they are.
|
Chris, with all due respect, it is you who is reading between the lines.
Nowhere have I said or suggested that I thought Damien had an "agenda of favouring one religion over another". If you are in any way familiar with my posts on this forum over a great many years, you ought to be quite content that if I wanted to say I thought he had an agenda I'd come right out and say it.
Quite clearly this whole scientology being recognised as a religion issue is a matter which vexes those who are of a
faith based bent. They are entitled to their opinion however I doubt, very strongly, that tax breaks and legal standing are the primary concerns. After all if somone felt that strongly about such matters then one might reasonably ask why they are not campaigning for or advocating the removal of tax and rate reliefs afforded to the current religions that avail of them. To not do so is to clearly differentiate (on some basis) as to the bonafides of one religion over another (religious snobbery).
We've seen in debates regarding same sex marriage how legislation making provision for same in the legislature and law is dismissed / discounted when it suits so, clearly, legislation will never be an answer for all.
Personally I don't think this issue merits a theological debate at this level. Nor do I think that scientology represents a threat to anyone other than those predisposed to placing belief in a faith.
Ultimately I think that legislating about faith is about as useful and relevant as dancing about architecture.