November 21, 2009
Political pursuit of religion
by Noel Pearson
The Australian
PEOPLE, and churches, are free to believe what they like, but not to do as they like.
Xenophon is calling for a parliamentary inquiry into the Scientologists and their tax-exempt status.
He told the Senate: "I also believe the activities of this organisation should be scrutinised by parliament because Australian taxpayers are, in effect, supporting Scientology through its tax-exempt status. I say to all Australians: as you fill in your tax return next July or August, ask yourself how you feel knowing that you are paying tax and yet this criminal organisation is not.
"Do you want Australian tax exemptions to be supporting an organisation that coerces its followers into having abortions? Do you want to be supporting an organisation that defrauds, that blackmails, that falsely imprisons? Because, on the balance of evidence provided by victims of Scientology, you probably are."
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