MEMBERS of parliament are being lobbied in a bid to exempt the Brethren from having to file tax returns by e-mail because the Christian group believes using computers is against the teachings of the Bible.
The Commons committee scrutinising the Finance Bill is expected today to discuss the clauses that seek to get all businesses to send their annual returns electronically by 2010.
The Brethren, which has more than 14,000 members and 1200 businesses in the UK, is "deeply concerned" about the mandatory plans. It says it pursues its commercial activities without computers and needs to be able to continue to communicate with the tax authorities using paper.
In its lobbying letter, the group says: "For the last 20 years . . . the Brethren have practised a way of life involving the consistent refusal of the use of computers both in their businesses and their homes."
It notes that "prophetic scriptural warnings" about the evils of computing are laid out in biblical references. One, from the book of Revelations, reads: "Here is wisdom. He that hath understanding let him count the number of the beast for it is the number of a man and his number is 666."
Tom Harris, Labour MP for Glasgow Cathcart, who was lobbied by the Brethren, told The Herald he supported the group's right to be exempted.
"The government has to respect sincerely held religious views. I don't think it should adopt a position of forcing Christians or followers of any other religion between obeying the law and their own faith. We have to show some flexibility," said Mr Harris.