Professor Cites Bible in Faulting Tax Policies

The New York Times ^ | 12/25/2007 | DAVID CAY JOHNSTON

[hripka]

At a time when some voters are asking how the religious views of candidates will shape their policies, a professor’s discovery of how little tax the biggest landowners in her state paid to finance the government has prompted some other legal scholars to scour religious texts to explore the moral basis of tax and spending policies.

The professor, Susan Pace Hamill, is an expert at tax avoidance for small businesses and teaches at the University of Alabama Law School. She also holds a degree in divinity from a conservative evangelical seminary, where her master’s thesis explored how Alabama’s tax-and-spend policies comport with the Bible.

Professor Hamill says that since Judeo-Christian ethics “is the moral compass chosen by most Americans” it is vital that these policies be compared with the texts on which they are based. Another professor says she is the first to address this head on, inspiring work by others.

Her findings, embraced by some believers and denounced by others, has also stirred research everywhere from Arizona State to New York University into the connection between religious teachings and government fiscal practices.

[DManA]

I like the 10% rule myself.

[PeterPrinciple]

The professor, Susan Pace Hamill, is an expert at tax avoidance for small businesses

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That was always easy, don’t make any money and you don’t pay any tax.................

[Alright_on_the_LeftCoast]

The professor is an idiot...during the time of Jesus, Israel was a conquered nation under Roman rule....it was Roman taxes, tributes, that were being imposed on them...it had nothing to do with a “progressive” tax system. She is an idiot.

[wastoute]

I refuse to register with the NYSlimes. However, in my reading the Bible, it occurred to me there are Biblical precepts regarding how to structure a society economically that are “Faith Centered” IOW a society that was truly centered on God. In David and Solomon’s time tenth went to the church, a tenth to tax for the government,.an those who could were to put about a tenth toward charity.

We have let our gummint convince us that it will take are of the charity part for us. In so doing it has taken not only more than what should be put into charity, it has removed from us that obligation we are neglecting to truly care for our brother an in so doing we are letting the government abuse our brother and hold him in bondage. Our spiritual growth is being neglected as we allow this to happen in our name. If we truly expect to support a government that will receive God’s Blessing we need to return to a culture that economically approximates what God intended for us.

[frogjerk]

We have let our gummint convince us that it will take are of the charity part for us. In so doing it has taken not only more than what should be put into charity, it has removed from us that obligation we are neglecting to truly care for our brother an in so doing we are letting the government abuse our brother and hold him in bondage.

Amen.

[RSmithOpt]

I agree.

No deductions; 10% of every individuals and 4% for all companies incomes per year.

Simply throw it in a big pot at the edge of a boxing ring, get some popcorn and a soda, sit back in a rocking recliner in front of a 50" plasma, turn on the surround sound, put the channel on CSPAN and watch all the federal, state, and local politicians physically fight one another with boxing gloves and pads on their feet for each current and new spending measures they want to finance in the Super Dome.

Let the gals slug it out with the gals and the boys with the boys separated only by age, weight, gender and government classes only.

Bracket the fights light the NCAA basketball tourney. Ought be a great means to raise the pork from the advertising revenues.