I do agree that welfare/Socialism, often detroys and limits those it was meant to help. However, it seems from the Bible that Capitalism is also wrong because we must not lay up treasures on the earth. Also according to Christ you cannot serve God and Money! Therefore people on Wall Street must be going to hell.
I see what you're saying, but I challenge you to find a time in which taxation was not a mandatory part of living in a civilized society. In Paul's day taxation was much worse than it is now, especially since so many of the tax collectors vastly overcharged (to the point of obvious injustice) and just pocketed the extra. Despite that though, Paul is saying we have a duty to pay taxes.
So as much as I would like to not have taxes, I don't see a biblical argument that says taxation is unjust. :)
This is silly. The Government is instituted by God so Render unto Caesar what is Caesar's. If you don't like it you can vote a new president in, but its not theologically defensible to call legitimate non-oppressive taxes stealing. There is no one "deserving" of money in the Bible.
Also, did God not judge the *nations* who did not provide for their poor and weak? Social programs are just a nation's collective desire to be charitable.
Give to Ceasar what is Ceasars, and give to a worker what is a workers. Not everything belongs to Ceasar! The Government can't tax as much as they want for whatever reason they want! Socialism is illegitamate and oppressive taxation. The one who deserves the wage is the one who worked for it.
In Capitalism, you have charity. In Socialism, you have theft. Big difference. You can pay the bills of anyone you want in Capitalism. You can give your money to whoever you want!
Brother, is taking taxes at the point of a gun and worse not oppression? There are such things as just taxes and unjust taxes and america is now taking unjust taxes and has been for a very long time. Such taxation is robbery, not just taxes. And where does it go? It goes to killing brother and sister human beings in Iraq and Afghanistan, when such nations never had it in for us. Whether it be Bush or Obama, it does not make any difference. An evil person is an evil person.
Paul says the government doesn't bear the sword in vain, and so requiring taxes of people at gun point is most definitely something Paul wouldn't have a problem with.
I define unjust as being overly burdensome. At this point I have never heard of anyone being unable to afford basic necessities because of too high a tax burden.
Also like I said earlier, social programs are instituted and lobbied for by the people. its just the nation's collective desire to care for their poor as God desires.
Keep it in context there Remkade. Paul wasn't talking about government mandated extortion. He was talking about punishment for crimes to keep peace and justice.
You might want to reread that passage my friend. Take particular note of verses 6 and 7:
"6. This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are Gods servants, who give their full time to governing. 7. Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor. "
@remkade I see wut ur saying. And I may just be speculating, but I doubt Paul would have approved of and promoted the ideas of forced taxation, etc. etc - which is what I was trying to convery. :-)
I do agree that welfare/Socialism, often detroys and limits those it was meant to help. However, it seems from the Bible that Capitalism is also wrong because we must not lay up treasures on the earth. Also according to Christ you cannot serve God and Money! Therefore people on Wall Street must be going to hell.
hernhillrebel 1 year ago
I see what you're saying, but I challenge you to find a time in which taxation was not a mandatory part of living in a civilized society. In Paul's day taxation was much worse than it is now, especially since so many of the tax collectors vastly overcharged (to the point of obvious injustice) and just pocketed the extra. Despite that though, Paul is saying we have a duty to pay taxes.
So as much as I would like to not have taxes, I don't see a biblical argument that says taxation is unjust. :)
remkade 2 years ago
This is silly. The Government is instituted by God so Render unto Caesar what is Caesar's. If you don't like it you can vote a new president in, but its not theologically defensible to call legitimate non-oppressive taxes stealing. There is no one "deserving" of money in the Bible.
Also, did God not judge the *nations* who did not provide for their poor and weak? Social programs are just a nation's collective desire to be charitable.
remkade 2 years ago
Give to Ceasar what is Ceasars, and give to a worker what is a workers. Not everything belongs to Ceasar! The Government can't tax as much as they want for whatever reason they want! Socialism is illegitamate and oppressive taxation. The one who deserves the wage is the one who worked for it.
In Capitalism, you have charity. In Socialism, you have theft. Big difference. You can pay the bills of anyone you want in Capitalism. You can give your money to whoever you want!
OpenAirOutreach 2 years ago
I agree with you on that. Socialism is stealing, mainly from the poor.
HotepYakub 2 years ago
...ah, but the bible explains WHY and which r governments instituted. not all governments are of god.
Malachi811 2 years ago
No, not all governments are of God. Some of of the devil.
HotepYakub 2 years ago
Brother, is taking taxes at the point of a gun and worse not oppression? There are such things as just taxes and unjust taxes and america is now taking unjust taxes and has been for a very long time. Such taxation is robbery, not just taxes. And where does it go? It goes to killing brother and sister human beings in Iraq and Afghanistan, when such nations never had it in for us. Whether it be Bush or Obama, it does not make any difference. An evil person is an evil person.
HotepYakub 2 years ago
Paul says the government doesn't bear the sword in vain, and so requiring taxes of people at gun point is most definitely something Paul wouldn't have a problem with.
I define unjust as being overly burdensome. At this point I have never heard of anyone being unable to afford basic necessities because of too high a tax burden.
Also like I said earlier, social programs are instituted and lobbied for by the people. its just the nation's collective desire to care for their poor as God desires.
remkade 2 years ago
Keep it in context there Remkade. Paul wasn't talking about government mandated extortion. He was talking about punishment for crimes to keep peace and justice.
Malachi811 2 years ago
You might want to reread that passage my friend. Take particular note of verses 6 and 7:
"6. This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are Gods servants, who give their full time to governing. 7. Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor. "
remkade 2 years ago
@remkade I see wut ur saying. And I may just be speculating, but I doubt Paul would have approved of and promoted the ideas of forced taxation, etc. etc - which is what I was trying to convery. :-)
Malachi811 2 years ago