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THE QUESTION
Are tax cuts moral?
A deal President Obama struck with Republican leaders last week will extend tax cuts across the board including, controversially, to the richest Americans.
Some politicians argue that religious values should be reflected in the public square. Should this faith-based view of politics be applied to the economy? Jesus said, "Whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me."
In a time of economic turmoil and record poverty levels, are tax cuts for the wealthy moral?
Posted by
Elizabeth Tenety on December 13, 2010 2:57 PM
FROM THE PANEL
We have postponed the day of economic reckoning
They reflect greed more than sound economic policy.
Posted by John Shelby Spong, on December 18, 2010 5:43 PM
The morals of Mammon
We cannot serve the God of radical divine love and Mammon. As a nation it is time to see that the worship and the morals of Mammon have not served us well.
Posted by Valerie Elverton Dixon, on December 17, 2010 11:22 AM
Taxes should be progressive
At a time when the government deficit is spiraling, the vast majority of individuals and families are still reeling from an economic recession that has ceased to hit the wealthy but continues to blast the working and middle classes, and income disparity is at the highest level since the Great Depression, then, yes, a tax cut for the wealthy is immoral.
Posted by Pamela K. Taylor, on December 17, 2010 8:44 AM
Jesus paid special attention to the poor
Read the New Testament. Jesus paid special attention to the poor and expected his followers to do the same - even to the point of shedding all their worldly possessions to help the poor.
Posted by Bill Press, on December 16, 2010 8:40 PM
Universal sympathy makes us truly human
We need to build a new world free from greed.
Posted by Rajan Zed, on December 16, 2010 4:08 PM
Judaism teaches an obligation to ally with the poor
The symbolism of this U.S. President turning his back on the poorest among us violates the most central teachings of Judaism.
Posted by Sid Schwarz, on December 16, 2010 3:36 PM
Tax cuts for wealthy unjust
Extending the tax cuts to the most wealthy may not be immoral, but it is definitely out of line with the Christian commandment to "love thy neighbor as thyself," and to be concerned with "the least of these."
Posted by Susan K. Smith, on December 15, 2010 4:32 PM
God's special concern for the poor
In Luke's version of the beatitudes Jesus pronounced woe upon the rich, and several of his parables indicate God's judgment upon those who amass fortunes and pay no attention to the poor. On one occasion, Jesus said that it is more difficult for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of God.
Posted by Gene Davenport, on December 15, 2010 3:36 PM
Why taxes are a moral issue
The challenge of applying broad moral principles to the specifics of legislation always requires prudence in a pluralistic democracy. But the great policy debates of our time - including fierce ideological battles raging now over taxes and the role of government - are at their heart profound moral issues.
Posted by Jennifer Butler, on December 15, 2010 12:46 PM
Before morality, let's remember basic economics
Before they even get near the "morality" of tax policy, I'd like to make sure they understand basic economics.
Posted by Barry Lynn, on December 15, 2010 11:53 AM
Moral to cut taxes
Forced charity is not moral. The government should encourage charitable giving by easing the tax burden on individuals who have money to spare after paying their expenses.
Posted by Jordan Sekulow, on December 14, 2010 4:47 PM
Tax breaks for the wealthy violate the law and the prophets
Jesus summarized the law and the prophets in the equally simple but difficult commandments to love God and love our neighbor. Ending these tax cuts would do both, obeying God's law and loving those who come after us.
Posted by Janet Edwards, on December 14, 2010 3:52 PM
My two (taxable) cents on God and taxes
In the current economic climate,maintaining current tax rates for the wealthy (in the short term) might be a small price to pay for securing the greatest good for the greatest number of people over the long term.
Posted by Rajdeep Singh, on December 14, 2010 3:49 PM
Socialism for the rich!
No matter how the economy fares, in times of surplus and in times of crisis, the state gives wealth to the rich as tax cuts or as bailouts.
Posted by Muqtedar Khan, on December 14, 2010 1:37 PM
Moral dimension to the economy
Are tax cuts for the wealthy immoral? Not necessarily. Are they, on the other hand, always moral? Again, not necessarily.
Posted by Fr. Frank Pavone, on December 14, 2010 12:00 PM
Jesus to the rich young ruler: "distribute the money"
Our tax policies in this country are a way to help our neighbors who are the "least of these," as Jesus also notes. We "distribute the money" so that we can help those who are the most vulnerable like children, the sick, those with handicapping conditions, and the elderly.
Posted by Susan Brooks Thistlethwaite, on December 14, 2010 10:43 AM
Cutting the deficit of humanity
Humanity is something everyone can afford, regardless of fiscal policy, no matter what you make, spend, save, or pay in taxes.
Posted by Russ Gerber, on December 14, 2010 9:01 AM
Protecting the rich on the backs of the poor
Today too many Christians negotiate away the biblical imperative to protect the poor in favor of the harmful fable that our society must protect the rich - the very rich.
Posted by Robert Parham, on December 14, 2010 8:55 AM
Charity doesn't require religion
I don't care what Jesus, Yahweh, Zeus, Allah, or Vishnu purportedly might have said or thought about tax cuts for the wealthy. You don't have to be religious to believe that government has a fundamental obligation to help those who can't help themselves.
Posted by Herb Silverman, on December 14, 2010 6:38 AM
The rich benefit from society and should give back
In a time of massive unemployment, huge deficits and falling income for the middle class and the poor, tax cuts for the wealthy are a form of legalized theft.
Posted by Starhawk, on December 13, 2010 11:29 PM
Rich deserve equal treatment under the law
When the government forces Scrooge to do what it thinks proper, it removes the ability of Scrooge to freely repent and do what is good himself.
Posted by John Mark Reynolds, on December 13, 2010 7:53 PM
...and let it begin with me
Jesus said, "Whatever you did for the least of these," not "Whatever you made your neighbor do for the least of these." There's a difference.
Posted by Jason Poling, on December 13, 2010 6:37 PM
Jesus' command is personal, not governmental
Living within one's means is a biblical principal the government should adopt.
Posted by Cal Thomas, on December 13, 2010 6:09 PM
What constitutes fairness?
When those in favor of higher taxes for the rich imply that such taxes are a punitive remedy for inequity, they are immoral.
Posted by Jack Moline, on December 13, 2010 5:42 PM
