NZ High Court says interest-free mortgage scheme to 'advance religion' is legal

It is a very idealistic assumption to think that a Bible-based organisation would happily lend money to say, an atheist, who refused to agree to the Christian conditions of the loan. How then, is it 'open to anyone'?

What a pleasing result for Liberty Trust's Christian members! New Zealand taxpayers, the majority of whom have mortgages where they constantly dread a rise in interest rates, and a third of them at least non-believers, are now obliged to subsidise 'a Christian life free from the burden of debt' for Liberty Trust's members.

Conclusion

In The Purple Economy I argued the religious believe they can avoid death, they know they can avoid tax. Justice Mallon has proved me right.

Something needs to be done about this. Either the Court's decision is appealed to the Court of Appeal or the New Zealand government should legislate to close this cleverly constructed scheme. Given the many and various demands on their budgets, no country can afford to continue to privilege religion through tax exemptions let alone permit their extension.