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Taiwan's Churches Meet to Discuss New Religion Law


From Taiwan Church News <pctpress@ms1.hinet.net>
Date Fri, 10 Jan 2003 13:21:18 +0800

Taiwan Church News 2654, January 12, 2003
Reported by Lin Yi-ying. Translated and rewritten by David
Alexander

   Leaders of Taiwan's Protestant and Roman Catholic Churches met
on January 10th to discuss a recently introduced legislative bill
regulating religious organizations.  The bill, which has cross
party support, passed its first reading. If it should pass a
third reading it will become law.
   The proposal incorporates features of a failed "religion law"
from earlier legislative sessions.  It has been modified by
legislators and members of the executive branch into a new set of
recommendations for regulating religious organizations, not
religion.  It deals in a focused way with commercial and
financial operations of religious groups.
   Churches are concerned that, should the bill pass, the welfare
and evangelistic agencies of Christian organizations will face
tight restrictions regarding property, taxes, cemeteries,
educational institutions and resource management programmes.
   The General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in Taiwan
(PCT) convened the meeting. Participants included at least one
legislator, Cheng Kuo-shiao, who is a member of the PCT.  The aim
was to protect the properties and resources of all Christian
groups.

For more information: wmlo@mail.pct.org.tw

Taiwan Church News is published weekly in Taiwan's local
languages.
Visit our web site: www.pctpress.com.tw


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