Why do churches exist as charitable organizations?

Atheist activists in British Columbia are renewing their push to get governments to stop "giving clergy charitable tax breaks."

But as they try to make their case, Brian Dijkema, vice-president of external affairs for Cardus, respectfully disagrees. He argues back that, as the Victoria News puts it, "there are a number of unique reasons why churches exist as charitable organizations and a number of reasons why this should be maintained."

_{Photo by Joel Muniz on Unsplash}