>> a fundamental belief that individuals make better choices about what society needs than government does
That’s only part of it.
Another important point: when an individual gives charity in the name of God, God receives the glory and the recipient receives the message of love intended by the Almighty, which would tend to draw recipients of charity into His fold so that they might practice charity themselves.
When the government takes from some citizens to give to others, a whole different thought dynamic occurs. The recipient begins to think that they are “entitled” to “their portion” of the common pot. No God, no love, just a “fight for fairness”.
It seems to me that Big Government is the progressives’ god — and we all must be compelled to contribute to their religion in order to spread their doctrine and grow their congregation.
You have framed the debate perfectly. Excessive confiscatory taxes are a sin against charity.