My woman and I were discussing taxes the other day.
In the Bible, Jesus said, "Give Caeasar what is his, and give God what is His." or something to that affect.
I said that if they government started taxing 70% of my earned income, that they could kiss my tail cause I wouldn't do it.
Lindsey said that she would keep paying, because I should "give the government its money."
I on the other hand, said, that the money is my money, the government is not always just in its decisions, and that there comes a point in time, where you draw the line, and do not keep paying the government, because it's my money, and they can make me cease to live by taxing me to death.
She said that by doing that, I would be contradicting a command from Jesus.
Any thoughts?
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πνεύμα γ*μισα
"Error never shows itself in its naked reality in order not to be discovered. On the contrary, it dresses elegantly, so that the unwary may be led to believe that it is more truthful than truth itself."
-Irenaeus of Lyon
i myself am no professor, but i do remember something about doing what the government says unless it interferes with God.
i do think tho that if you cannot live civily without say the money i would think you would be correct.
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Member of the 2006 Bowhunting Contest, the Autumn Assassins
The exact quote I think is "render unto Ceasar that which is Ceasar's and render unto God that which is God's". There was a misconception at that time that being a Godly person was that you gave all your possessions to God and no one else. Jesus pointed out that you must still abide by government law as far as paying your taxes. It is really not a commandment of any kind but more of Jesus clearing up a misunderstanding.
Of course, I could be completely wrong.....just going by what I remember from reading and having discussions about this kind of stuff.
Well the Constitution came a long time after the Gosspels but it was writen by Christians and it does outline what the government is to do and what rights the people have that shall not be interferred with in any way. Taxing has it limits per that government by the nature of what the government is really supposed to do for its citizens.
When the government taxes beyond its legal limits, it is not Caesar. Therefore you do have some expectation of what is your to give. It is not the governments to demand what is beyond or it is not within the limits already outline by that very government.
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Now you have to picture a combination of PeeWEE Herman and Wally Cox but with less muscle tone, trying to be intimidating None of this is funny! Message edited by Cougar Mag -- 1/7/2005 1:16:42 AM >/b]
Rendering unto Caesar that which is Caesars has forever been oversimplified by many to believe that we should give him what he asks.
The answer Jesus gave, Render unto Caesar, was kind of a trick answer because he was trying to be trapped into saying that Caesar was the one they should bow down to.
What he was really saying was, you decide who is your God. Give Caesar what is his and God what is His.
The Bible says we are to abide by the laws that govern us unless they become contrary to the teachings of God.
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If you give a politician an enema you can easily hide them in a bread box.
I always cringe when people say that the Constitution was written by Christians, as our founding fathers were almost all simply Deists, believers in a Supreme Being, but no Church affiliation. Also, the Treaty of Tripoli distinctly states that our nation was NOT based upon Christian beliefs, and is a good read if you have never read it. Here is the specific article I refer to.
Art. 11. As the Government of the United States of America is not, in any sense, founded on the Christian religion; as it has in itself no character of enmity against the laws, religion, or tranquillity, of Mussulmen; and, as the said States never entered into any war, or act of hostility against any Mahometan nation, it is declared by the parties, that no pretext arising from religious opinions, shall ever produce an interruption of the harmony existing between the two countries.
Actually the founding fathers were mostly Masons which does have some foundations in Christianity. Most people will argue that the Constitution was written by Christians and others say it wasn't. I hold that Christian values were used to write the Constitution not beliefs and there is a fine line there I know. As far as the Treaty of Tripoli, it can be argued that the when that treaty was written, they may have had a different interpretation of what beliefs or values were used in writing that document. Just like for years the Government always interpreted that the 2nd Amendment meant that the right to keep and bear arms was meant for the military and not the people.
Anyways, I don't want to debate this. It is what the document says that is more important.
I'm a Christian Conservative/Libertarian person. I know that some taxes are necessary for an orderly society. What I am for is very spartan taxation, not taking more than is needed & the government not doing more than what is needed. The government has supplanted the church in taking care of those who cannot care for themselves, as well as many more who simply do not care for themselves. A government should not practice confiscatory taxation, not only does that stifle economic growth it's just plain wrong! As Christians, we need to get back to helping the poor & widows & such, increasingly taking that back from the government. God seems to be pretty clear on his "requirements," it's up to us to make sure that government's requirements are clear & only that which is necessary.
At this time the government says killing unborn babies is legal.Dont make it right. I aint doin it. They take your tax mony and do it.Your just as guilty as they are in a way. I here this all the time,have to do what the government says if your a good Christian.Hogwash. If the Government says kill your oldest son ,I aint doin it. There is a point that when the Government is disobeying Gods will I'm to go Gods way.
Alaska Mag, Lucius111 did an excellent job of addressing your post, in particular the comment about the founding fathers and the Masons. Not all Mason are Christians but most believe in the same values and all must profess a belief in a deity. The only thing I would add is that the that section of the Treaty of Tripoli was writen for a particular purpose and it was, as is now the case, writen to ensure others that our actions were not the begining of a Crusade.
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Now you have to picture a combination of PeeWEE Herman and Wally Cox but with less muscle tone, trying to be intimidating None of this is funny! Message edited by Cougar Mag -- 1/7/2005 1:16:42 AM >/b]
Political Question for the Christian Folks
i myself am no professor, but i do remember something about doing what the government says unless it interferes with God. 
