Protecting the rich on the backs of the poor

Class warfare again is being waged. This time attempting to invoke that Christ commanded the government force its citizens to support the poor. Jesus never said nor stated anything of the sort.

He fully supported the Law which was and is against stealing and coveting and called to repentance.

Zacchaeus was a tax collector who was seen as a traitor to his people, as well as a cheater and a thief. (Luke 19:1-10) A majority of tax collectors were. Jesus invited Himself to his home. Zacchaeaus then gave half of his goods to the poor, in compensation for all the money he had amassed from the people after his repentance.

The government wasn't what prompted Zacchaeaus over half his goods and repay those he cheated. It was in response to to the forgiveness of sins Christ offered by grace, through faith.

Jesus did support the payment of taxes (Render to Ceaser.)

One must question why there are quite a few in the present government who have neglected in choosing to pay their own taxes. Thus they're allowed to amass their own wealth while expecting those they term as "wealthy", which includes small business owners who make far less than they, are expected to pay far more than others as well as themselves.

I think you've hit it spot on...as members of the faith community, we do have a moral responsibility to protect the most vulnerable within our society. Cutting taxes for the millionaires and billionaires of our society, while ensuring the rest of our society shoulders the pain of a hurting economy.

Sociologist Dr. Wayne Baker from the University is talking about moral issues we struggle with behind the tax debate all this week. Check it out at:

http://www.readthespirit.com/ourvalues

Robert, you seem to have forgotten about God's 10th commandment of the sin of coveting thy neighbor's property. I have found those who continually say things like "the rich don't deserve their wealth" and that it should be "shared with the rest of us" are on pretty thin moral ground.

It's bad enough that we now have to resort to protecting the poor, funding wars, and who knows what else with borrowed money from another country.

But, protecting the Rich with borrowed money, too.

America has truly lost her way.

Christian Charity has nothing to do with levying of taxes and giving it to whoever gathers the most votes.

Every act of morality preached by Christ was personal morality leading to personal salvation. This idea that we gain a collective salvation by taxing some to give to the cause du jour has nothing to do with Christianity; indeed, its almost anti-Christian in that it denies the role of faith and God and substitutes the all-benevolent State as a false idol.

"Charity does support the common good. However taxation is not theft. It is part of governance and rule of law."
POSTED BY: APROPOS1 | DECEMBER 14, 2010 3:33 PM

When government does not follow rule of law, then taxation becomes theft.

"Theft is how a faithful society gets in the way of the common good. Charity is how a faithful society achieves the common good. You have confused theft and charity."
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Charity does support the common good. However taxation is not theft. It is part of governance and rule of law.

All people - regardless of race or religion - are part of a society. And societies function by rule of law - Laws that dictates how their leaders (i.e. governments) operate. No one is outside of this society. We all are part of it. We all benefit from the common good (even the rich who benefit from public roads, public utilities, etc), and we all need to contribute to society's well being.

We do not live in caves. We live in cities and towns in an information based economy where every day we rely on (1) the knowledge of our fellow citizens (such as doctors, teachers), and (2) on power sources, roads, educational facilities, schools, etc, that make our society work.

All this comes at a cost. That is why people bound to a country - living under a social contract - pay taxes. To deny the need for these services - or to believe you can have them without paying your bill (by putting off your payments via deficits) is a falacy.

The top 1% of this country owns a large percentage of the wealth. Yes the poor can pay taxes, but we have to be realistic. Allowing the weathly to get away with the tax holiday they have been taken, is sinful and irresponsible.

I don't really think of myself as rich, but neither do I feel that I'm being "protected" from taxes. In fact, I'm protecting a whole lot of other people from taxes by making it possible for them to pay no taxes at all. But what gets me is that they never say thank you. They just assume it's their due for me to pay their taxes for them. I'm not asking for anything elaborate, an occasional Thank You card, possibly a fruit basket on Christmas. Is it too much to ask?

I guess it all depends on how 'public' you are with your faith. I ve seen many tea8ags who profess their Christianity, that this is a Christian nation, etc. then turn around and be absolutely unfeeling and/or un caring, led principally by bombastic radio/TV buffoons who would naturally complain about taxes, I mean who wouldnt when you make excess 1 million per year? That said, its not fair that the more well off pay more while many pay none. Adjust the rates so everyone pays, maybe not the same amount, but at least they re paying something. Then they d be able to receive in clear conscience.

"The message is clear - too whom much is given much is required. The wealthiest citizens are expected to pay more in taxes. It is how a faithful society advances the common good."

God does not ask us to force others to be righteous. He never commands us to take our neighbor's money and give it to the poor to help our neighbor make it to heaven. Our neighbor cannot get into heaven based off of our good deeds with their property. You cannot fool God that way. God is not an idiot.

Theft is how a faithful society gets in the way of the common good. Charity is how a faithful society achieves the common good. You have confused theft and charity.