The Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), Badagry Diocese, has faulted the resolution by delegates at the ongoing national conference that religious organisations should start paying taxes.
The Bishop of the diocese, Rt. Rev. Babatunde Adeyemi, said such a decision would only amount to double taxation and conspiracy against the masses.
He made the remarks while fielding questions from journalists on the sideline of the Diocese’s First Session of the Fourth Synod held at St. Peter’s Church Ajido, Badagry, Lagos.
Adeyemi said the church was a not-for-profit organisation, adding that members that paid tithes were taxpayers.
He said, “If churches and mosques are to be taxed, then they must include shrines also. Churches and mosques are non-profit organisations. What are they selling? Religious organisations are like NGOs, those who buy private jets should be made to pay tax on them.
“If you are asking the workers to pay tax, you are right. If you are asking our schools to pay, you are right. But if you are asking the church as an institution to pay, how do you now measure it because the persons who have come to bring these offerings and tithes to God have already paid their tax? Then it becomes double taxation and a conspiracy against the masses.”
Speaking at the synod, Adeyemi said the church backed the succession of Governor Babatunde Fashola by his deputy, Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire.
He said Orelope-Adefulire was qualified for the position due to her political experience and Christian virtues.
He said, “If we are looking for a Christian in whom there is no guile to succeed Governor Babatunde Fashola, I will not hesitate to nominate Mrs. Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, a Christian, endowed with the fruit of the spirit.
“What is counting against her nomination as governor of Lagos State? Is it gender? I do not think we should look at that. She possesses the experience and good standing to lead the state, having been in politics for quite a while and serving in various capacities as a member of Lagos State House of Assembly, Commissioner and then the deputy governor.
“Let us give our women a chance. Women are good managers of resources.”
The Bishop, who also spoke on insecurity in the country and the 2015 general elections, called for more training and the equipment of security agencies to combat terrorism.
He also urged the church to pray against ethnic division in the armed forces and the safe return of the abducted Chibok schoolgirls. Click to signup for FREE news updates, latest information and hottest gists everyday
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That's true,what have they govt been doing with the heavy taxes we have been paying,they just want more money to loot.
ReplyDeleteWhat have the churches also been doing with the huge money they make other than buy private jets??? Every tom.dick and harry now opens a church as a sure way of making money off the congregation.
DeleteOga Rev, Pay what is Caesar's to Caesar, and what is God's to God. I wan't to ask you now Rev,
ReplyDeleteHow many less privileged is under your care or you are taking care of ? I Shared this now, last time i went to Ogun state to one church that is doing their annual harvest bazaar they wrote in big blackboard, levy fee: Adults # 1500, Youths # 1000, Workers # 700, Unemployment's #500,Children # 300. Very funny ! Unemployment get the money from where ? Lol
We need a better Nigeria, but both dicks and toms,no one ready to sacrifice to brings change.
Oga Rev, Pay what is Caesar's to Caesar, and what is God's to God. I wan't to ask you now Rev,
ReplyDeleteHow many less privileged is under your care or you are taking care of ? I Shared this now, last time i went to Ogun state to one church that does their annual harvest bazaar they wrote in big blackboard, levy fee: Adults # 1500, Youths # 1000, Workers # 700, Unemployment's #500,Children # 300. Very funny ! Unemployment get the money from where ? Lol
We need a better Nigeria, but both dicks and toms,no one ready to sacrifice to brings change.
I think what should be put in place is a regulation to check the indiscriminate creation of church ministries and their registration. It has become obvious that the church is no longer a non profit organisation,hence so many men of God complain when their congregation is not giving enough. Most times when we hear they have problems amongst the workers in the Church, it's always bcos of money. When they eventually make enough money to set up social facilities like schools,they don't subsidise the fee to be paid,rather the reverse is the case. They are always unaffordable to the common man that sacrificed to make the project a reality. This attitudes justifies those moving this motion to make churches pay taxes.
ReplyDelete