The Centre for Inquiry Canada quantifies the cost of religion in Canada

Canada, like most countries, treat charities very favourably, granting them many privileges and tax breaks not available to other organizations. To register as a charity with Canada Revenue Agency, it must declare one of four charitable purposes:

• Advancement of Education
• Relief of Poverty
• Advancement of Religion
• Other Purposes Beneficial to the Community

The Centre for Inquiry Canada analyzed data about all Canadian charities with a purpose of advancement of religion. The results are being published in a series of reports entitled The Cost of Religion in Canada. The first report (PDF) was published last week; others will follow in the weeks and months to come. 

Among its findings:

• Over 30,000 organizations that exist to advance religion have been granted registered charitable status in Canada.
• Religious charities in Canada are overwhelmingly Christian (more than 80%).
• Over the decades, religious charities have accumulated nearly $48 billion in assets and have a net worth of over $38 billion.

I am one of the lead authors of this report. Please read and let me know what you think.