The Bible and Your Taxes (Alabama governor to increase income taxes based on Scriptures) BARF ALERT!

about.com ^ | 7/10/03 | Charles Henderson

[ppaul]

Here's a Twist on Faith Based Initiatives

Here's a twist. The conservative Republican Governor of Alabama, Bob Riley has moved the discussion of faith based initiatives to a whole new level with his bold proposal to INCREASE state taxes by a whopping total of $1.2 billion, the largest in history. Please continue reading below...

For a Republican Governor this is surprising enough, but there's more. Riley is using the Bible as a source book for his decision. In a press release announcing his decision, Riley explained: "Alabamians are a faithful people who believe that creating a better world for our children and helping our neighbors are both sacred duties." In a follow-up interview with The Birmingham News, he said: "Jesus says one of our missions is to take care of the least among us. We've got to take care of the poor."

Like many other states, Alabama is facing large budget deficits, and it has one of the most regressive tax systems, with a large portion of the tax burden falling upon those least able to afford it. While in some states families living at or near the poverty level are exempted from state taxes, not so in Alabama. Even those earning less than $5,000 a year pay state income tax, and the working poor pay a larger percentage of their modest incomes in state and local taxes than those at higher income levels. Governor Riley proposes to shift much of the tax burden to those on the upper rungs of the income ladder. He also plans to increase taxes on corporations.

The Governor is not coming out of "left field" with these proposals, rather he is basing his tax policy on solid research into biblical law, theology and Judeo-Christian ethics. That research was carried out by Susan Pace Hamil who teaches at the University of Alabama Law School and was published in the Alabama Law Journal.

It will be fascinating to see how the Governor's initiatives play out in Alabama, a conservative state long thought to be part of the so-called Bible belt. Can Biblical authority be brought to bare upon popular opinion in a way that turns the agenda of the religious right upon itself? Can Christianity once again become a force moving on behalf of political initiatives that are thought to be progressive, or even, dare one say, "liberal?" If this proves to be the case, it will make discussion about faith based initiatives and church-state relations a lot more interesting.

In recent years it has been the unquestioned assumption of many that conservative Christianity and conservative politics are inextricably bound together in a way that makes the word "Christianity" practically synonymous with right wing politics. This has not always been the case in American history. Rather Christianity has often been a force for progressive social reform. Evangelical Christians in significant numbers were part of the civil rights movement in the second half of the twentieth century and before that Christians took the lead in the passage of child labor laws, women suffrage, and the abolitionist movement.

This is the third time in recent months that I have noticed a new dynamism on the part of Evangelical Christians who are challenging the assumption that they can be counted to fall lock step behind political leaders on the right simply because they invoke the name of God. Prior articles have commented upon the surprising presence of Christian activists in the environmental movement as well as in the continuing resistance to US policy in Iraq and the Middle East. Should such trends continue, it may turn out that we are in the early stages of a major realignment of political life in America.

[CCCV]

"Alabamians are a faithful people "

Yes, but not STUPID!

[RJCogburn]

a faithful people who believe that creating a better world for our children and helping our neighbors are both sacred duties.

Wow. Do they also believe they are called upon to impose their version of charity on the rest of society?

This guy is dangerous. As are the people who follow him.

[Support Free Republic]

A Recall AND a Fundraiser? I'm toast.

Let's get this over with FAST. Please contribute!

[TheBigB]

I voted for Riley. He is/was extremely popular with the GOP voters in Alabama, as evidenced by his thrashing of Lt. Gov. Steve Windom in the primary last year (Riley took 73% to Windom's 18%). However, there was no discussion of this tax plan then. The plan will be put to statewide referendum this fall, as I understand it.

[cincinnati65]

Methinks the Governor needs some help with his interpretation, because nowhere in my Bible does it say for Christians to take care of the least among us by allowing a government entity to confiscate the fruit of our labor and squander it on never-ending layers of administration, or otherwise lining the pockets of political cronies. I will help any person who is willing to help him or herself, but I do not need a government that dips further into my pockets, and decides how better to appropriate my money. I think maybe I'll look into the Alabama state budget and see if I can find some of the Christian programs my extra tax dollars will support.

[Blood of Tyrants]

IIRC, Jesus specificaly avoided speaking to governments about their role. His commandment to take care of the poor was to INDIVIDUALS.

[ppaul]

ping.

[joesnuffy]

He cites examples of "evangelicals" involved in acts of freeing people from oppression
not enslaving them to govt.
Jesus also bid people come to him of their own free volition
He did not force himself on anyone....and He Is God
Dont pay these absurd taxes and you will feel the wt. of govt. oppression...and not the freedom of Christ
This is more demonic than Christian imo

[Dog Gone]

Jesus wants you to pay more taxes?

[LiteKeeper]

INTREP

[Digger]

I would hope at the next primary this guy will find Jesus & troll around with Jimmy Swaggert.

[ppaul]

ping.

[ppaul]

This is more demonic than Christian imo

Amen.

[cincinnati65]

Here's an idea. Let's contact the ACLU and see if we can get them to fight any tax increase on the basis that the tax increase was implemented for Judeo-Christian religious purposes.

[ppaul]

Higher Taxes = a breach in the "wall of separation...", eh?

[TankerKC]

You wrote what I was thinking. Spot on.

[TankerKC]

Jesus wants you to pay more taxes?

WWJC?

What Would Jesus Charge?

[w_over_w]

Tell us therefore, What thinkest thou? Is it lawful to give tribute unto Caesar, or not? But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, Why tempt ye me, ye hypocrites? Shew me the tribute money. And they brought unto him a penny. And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription? They say unto him, Caesar's. Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's.
Matthew 22:17-21

[ppaul]

Caesar's image is not on our money.
But, "God" is.