Opinion

Beware the Bible as a state tax guide

Posted April 07, 2009 11:00 pm

A recent Daily Herald article contains Governor Quinn's quote regarding taxes: "I think the principle is as old as the Bible. Taxes should be based on ability to pay."

Two issues are worth exploring. One, if we are now going to use the Bible to justify a levy, are we going to make the Bible a factor in rejecting the Illinois FOCA and the proposal for same-sex civil unions?

There are also numerous Proverbs that talk about someone's ability to work. Will the Governor apply Biblical principles to those who we "pay" but they do not "play"?

If Gov. Quinn is accepting of the idea of Biblical principles factoring into only levy decisions, isn't convenient application of "the Law" one of the things Jesus condemns?

Two, the Democrats believe in equal outcome. Gov. Quinn is only partially right in saying "Taxes should be based on ability to pay." Sharing with one another should be based on our ability, but paying taxes should not be based on our ability. Paying taxes is merely rendering to Caesar what is Caesar's. God provides for equal opportunity. He gives us a chance to show our works as a function of our faith and what we do at that point is merely up to us.

Kevin Novak

Wheeling

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