Statements by of Leaders of Faith Communities in Alabama on Tax Reform

In God We Trust — or do we?

By Dr. Mike D. McLemore

In Matthew 22:15-22, we have the record of the conversation between Jesus and the Pharisees when they asked Him if it was lawful to pay taxes unto Caesar. The Pharisees had already noticed something about Jesus’ attitude in His relationships to other people. Verse 16 states, “We know that you are true, and teach the way of God in truth; nor do you show partiality between persons.” With that observation in mind, they then asked Jesus the question, “Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar or not?” Jesus asked for a coin and then said, “Whose image and inscription is this?” They replied, “Caesar’s!” Jesus said, “Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.”

It is lawful and right for citizens to pay taxes to the government. However, it is also understood in the Holy Scriptures that government is not a terror to good works, but to evil! (Romans 13:7) That means just as God has ordained ministers of the Gospel to meet the spiritual needs of His people; He has also ordained government to be a “minister for good” to the needs of His people in civil, social, and economic matters. It is incumbent upon the government to be fair and just toward all people in the legislation of bills and in the levying of taxes.

Gov. Bob Riley’s tax reform package is now “on the table” for Alabamians to study and then vote on Sept. 9. The governor outlined his plan in a recent meeting with ministers from across the state. He stated that the present system is unfair to the poor and has many inequalities otherwise. I truly appreciated Gov. Riley’s honesty and concern that we must begin a process of restructuring Alabama’s tax system. We discussed with him the “accountability” issues that must be in place with any reform package. He assured us that “accountability” is built into his legislation.

For too long Alabama tax dollars have been “earmarked” by the constitution to certain areas. For example; state income tax is earmarked solely for teacher salaries and benefits. State sales taxes are earmarked for the educational fund and cannot be used in any other way. With these kinds of revenue restrictions, it is no wonder we are in this current financial position.

Gov. Riley has shown a lot of courage, and he is offering bold leadership to our state in his efforts to reform an archaic tax structure. His plan is not perfect; neither does it address every issue that will satisfy everyone. However, I believe it is a step toward progress and we the citizens need to give it a chance. 

The inscription on our coins read, “In God We Trust.” Why don’t we do that? Let’s obey God’s Word, and quit showing partiality in the way we collect taxes. With all of us working together to that end, it will be a better day in Alabama for everyone! May God help us in this worthy endeavor.

Dr. Mike D. McLemore is immediate past president of the Alabama Baptist State Convention. This article appeared in the July 2003 issue of Christian Life Commission.

Vote yes for a just system

By the Rt. Rev. Henry Nutt Parsley, Jr. 

We have seen compelling statistics and studies of urgent needs in Alabama, which demonstrate convincingly that our tax structure is seriously inadequate to meet the needs of our children, our schools, and our neighbors who need special help. The inequities of our existing taxes are well documented.

The urgency of the need for change is, to my mind, unequivocal and beyond question. The single fact that Alabama is 48th among the states in the overall funding we provide for education is evidence enough for this urgency.  I write as a Christian leader to urge that we the people support just tax reform as a matter of our moral and spiritual conscience. The care of our children, our schools, and concern for the poorest of our neighbors is, from the point of view of Judeo-Christian values, an absolute moral imperative. A just tax system is one of the ways that we must live these values in our society. Tax reform for our state is a critical step forward if we are to be the just and equitable community that God calls us to be.

Reasonable people may well disagree on the details of any given tax reform proposal, but it appears that our elected leaders have acted in good faith in proposing the tax reform proposal that will soon come before us. Its emphasis on education and its careful attention to strengthening accountability for the use of additional revenues are especially encouraging. The proposal has the potential to transform the state. But it will require more than politics to see it through. It will take spiritual commitment. People of faith need to stand up and be counted.

The Biblical story is about God’s tireless work to make us see that we are responsible for each other and for the common good, not just for our individual wellbeing. If a child in rural Greene County does not have an adequate school, I am responsible. If an inner city kid in Anniston does not have an early childhood education to help make him or her ready to learn, we all share the blame — and the social consequences. If an impoverished family in Birmingham or Huntsville does not have adequate access to basic necessities and job training, all of us bear the burden of responsibility. The parable of the Good Samaritan says no less. These children and families are our neighbors.

This does not mean endless handouts and entitlement programs, which can encourage unhealthy dependence; though we all know that some social welfare programs are essential in any civilized society. What it does mean is striving to give one another a leg up on life, the basic building blocks of a healthy, educated, contributing life. It means elevating people, all of whom are made in the image of God and endowed by their creator with the inalienable rights of “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” It means loving our neighbors as ourselves, which is the essence of Jesus’ teaching about how we love God.

If I read my Bible rightly, at the end of the day we will be judged not by the number of our prayers and church attendance, as essential as these are. We will be judged by how we have loved our neighbors and served the common good. If you doubt this run to your Bible and read again Matthew 25: 31-46 or Deuteronomy 15:7-11.

Taxes are not just about politics. They are one of the foundational ways that we express our Judeo-Christian and other religious values in America. The outreach of our churches and faith communities is another way of course, but these alone can never adequately provide for the educational and social support necessary in the modern world. Adequate taxes, administered with proper accountability on behalf of the people, are essential to effecting the moral values of our nation’s religious heritage and the deep wisdom of the ages.

This is why, like the Episcopal Church that I serve, so many of the churches and faith communities have spoken out in favor of just tax reform. Providing the best for our children — all of our children — our schools, and the common good is an unequivocal moral value of the religious community.

When I hear the “Christian Coalition” speaking in opposition to tax reform I must wonder for whom they are speaking. It is not for the churches. It is not for the faith community in our state.

It is our duty under God to strive to see that every human being can have the chance to be the whole, healthy, productive person he or she is made to be. Our taxes help this be a value that we do not just salute, but that we live. A more just and adequate tax structure can help make Alabama be a state where people flourish and where no one is left behind. Where we can take pride in doing what is right for our children and for those in need. Where we can celebrate our common commitment to excellence.

Yes, I have to admit that I do not like to pay my taxes anymore than you do. But next year when, hopefully, I write a bigger check and think of the child in Hale County or the young person in the inner city of Montgomery who will have a better chance at a whole life because of it, I will smile all the way to the Post Office.

The Rt. Rev. Henry Nutt Parsley is Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Alabama.

Our turn to make a difference

By Terrance Newland

            I believe the following two statements to be true. Alabama’s tax structure places the heaviest burden on its poorest citizens, forcing them to pay a larger percentage of their incomes in taxes. Alabama’s tax structure fails to provide sufficient revenue to fund public services that could enhance the quality of life of all its people.

As a resident of Alabama, I find this to be unacceptable. As a person of faith, I am compelled to respond with more than accusations and pointed fingers. As a citizen, I want public education to be funded adequately. As a person of faith, my concern for the poor and for children is deeply rooted in the scripture of my faith. As a citizen I feel morally obligated to advocate for change. As a person of faith, I must seek to relieve both the suffering of poverty and its causes.

In short, whether I respond as a citizen, a person of faith, or as both, I must take action. I can no longer complain and expect someone else to do something about it. Last year my faith community acknowledged that any change to the tax structure is the responsibility of the Executive and Legislative branches of state government. We further called upon the governor and the Legislature to take action towards reforming Alabama’s tax structure.

Now it’s our turn. Our elected leaders have presented us with the opportunity to reform Alabama’s tax structure. We are the next obstacle to such reform. I believe that the plan before us is a bold step in the right direction. It is not perfect, but it is a good plan. It’s time to stop pointing fingers and join hands.

As a citizen of Alabama, I can help improve the quality of life for all Alabamians by voting in favor of tax reform. As a person of faith, I can act on my beliefs by voting yes. What a joy to be voting for something, rather than against!

Terrance Newland is Executive Presbyter of the Presbytery of Sheppards and Lapsley Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).

September 9 vote is chance to do for least of these

By Bishop Robert E. Fannin

In June of 2000, soon after a state lottery was defeated, the North Alabama Conference of The United Methodist Church spoke out in favor of tax reform within our state. Our reasoning was the Christian responsibility Jesus taught us in Matthew 25:40 “... whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine you did for me.” As United Methodists we have a heritage of public witness on matters of economic justice. Three years ago, we were the first denomination in the state to make a formal statement calling for tax reform. Today our message and commitment is the same and we are still calling for tax reform. Alabama’s current tax structure, as provided in the State Constitution, needs transformation and change to meet the needs of our changing world.

We have special concerns around the disproportionate taxation of the poor. Alabama is the only state that imposes its income tax on families making as little as $4,600 a year, a figure well below the poverty level. The current practice of charging sales tax on life essentials such as food and over the counter medicine places disproportionate burdens on those least able to pay.

Through this regressive, unfair tax system our state produces revenues among the lowest in the nation. The educational system in Alabama needs a significant increase in attention and support. We must, as the people of God, be willing to sacrifice to make this possible. A plan of tax reform that adequately supports the children and adults of this state who are seeking to further their education is a must.

Last month, at the gathering of the 2003 North Alabama Annual Conference, we as United Methodists renewed our commitment to working for tax reform in our state as we passed two more resolutions calling for reform to make Alabama’s tax code more equitable, including calling for state constitutional reform that would implement a more equitable division of the tax burden and will provide a better education for our children by means of adequate and stable tax revenues.

Through these resolutions, The North Alabama Annual Conference supported the need for an equitable tax plan, but did not endorse a particular plan.

However, as United Methodist Christians we must continue to work earnestly for a more just tax structure in Alabama that will provide relief and hope for our most vulnerable citizens — especially our children.

Jesus Christ began his public ministry with these words from Isaiah “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” (Luke 4:18-19).

As Christians today we must continue this mission to release the oppressed in our state and to truly care for “the least of these.”

Bishop Robert E. Fannin is Episcopal leader of the North Alabama Conference of The United Methodist Church.

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