About Taxes
It seems there should be more recognition of the scriptural foundation supporting the equitable redistribution of wealth, via taxation or other means, which is historically one of the fundamental principles that has come to define Liberalism.
It seems ironic that modern Conservatism has been allowed to assume a monopoly on religious and moral issues, particularly those presented in Christian biblical scripture. Liberals have meekly allowed this assumption to go largely unchallenged.
Jesus, however, provides some clear teachings regarding taxation and providing aid to the poor. The times were different, of course, but the principles are the same:
And they sent to him some of the Pharisees and some of the Herodians,
to entrap him in his talk. And they came and said to him, "Teacher,
we know that you are true, and care for no man; for you do not regard
the position of men, but truly teach the way of God. Is it lawful to pay
taxes to Caesar, or not? Should we pay them, or should we not?"
But knowing their hypocrisy, he said to them, "Why put me to the test?
Bring me a coin, and let me look at it." And they brought one. And he
said to them, "Whose likeness and inscription is this?" They said
to him, "Caesar's." Jesus said to them, "Render to Caesar the things
that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's."
Mark 12:13-17, Luke 20:20-26, Matthew 22:15-22
This shows, for one thing, how little Jesus was opposed to or concerned with government taxation in those days. Moreover it shows an example of how little regard he held for money and wealth in general, and instead how much he emphasized devotion to God and caring for one's neighbor.
Poverty relief is a moral issue or 'values' issue as much as any other issue.
The causes of poverty are many, but a person in need is a person in need, and it is our moral duty to give to those in need. There are many ways to give, of course, and actions certainly speak louder than words. In an ideal world, charitable giving would be enough to relieve the world's poverty. But it's simply not enough, as it is. So it is natural for government bodies to step in, if it is the will of the governed majority, to apply additional methods of charitable giving through modest redistributions of wealth by means of government taxation to fund financial aid programs for the poor and other programs designed
for the common good of society (such as infrastructure, military protection, health care, and education, for example).
Also relevant in this regard are the famous teachings of Jesus dealing with how we treat our neighbors and fellow citizens. To "love your neighbor as yourself" is equated with the single greatest commandment of all (see Mark 12:29-31, Matthew 22:37-40, Luke 10:25-28). His teachings about giving to the poor are fairly consistent and staightforward:
"One thing you lack, go and sell all you possess and give to the poor,
and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me."
Mark 10:21, Luke 18:22
"Sell your possessions and give to charity;
make yourselves money belts which do not wear out,
an unfailing treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near
nor moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."
Luke 12:33-34
The parable of the good samaritan further illustrates this basic principle (see Luke 10:30). Furthermore, filling all of our hearts, he teaches that how we treat our neighbors is actually how we treat him himself:
"For I was hungry and you gave Me food;
I was thirsty and you gave Me drink;
I was a stranger and you took Me in;
I was naked and you clothed Me;
I was sick and you visited Me;
I was in prison and you came to Me."
[...]
"Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it
to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me."
"For I was hungry and you gave Me no food;
I was thirsty and you gave Me no drink;
I was a stranger and you did not take Me in,
naked and you did not clothe Me,
sick and in prison and you did not visit Me."
[...]
"Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did not do it
to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me."
Matthew 25:35-45
So anyway, to grumble over government taxes created to fund financial aid to the poor and the common good, simply seems out-of-step for well-meaning citizens and for Christians in particular.
