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DIV4/6: THE CHRISTIAN VIEW OF THE WORLD AS ONE FAMILY OF NATIONS

This Unit explains more about why Christians should pay taxes.

THE CHRISTIAN VIEW OF THE WORLD AS ONE FAMILY OF NATIONS

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All human beings were created by one God regardless of sex, race and skin color and in such we were created in God’s image and likeness Gen 1:26

According to Isaiah, all nations shall worship one God.Isaiah 2:1-4; No nations shall raise to fight one another and never to prepare for battle again.

John’s message is the same to all nations ie John 3:16-17 “For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son.”

The mission of the church is to preach the good news to all nations of the world and bring peace among them.

St.Paul in his teaching observes that mankind has sinned and fallen short of God’s glory therefore we all need redemption as people of all nations of the world.

On the day of Pentecost, the holy spirit descended on the people (Acts 2:1-12) irrespective of racial and social background.

The world is for God and all that is in it. Psalms 24:1 therefore all nations are family which belongs to God.

The message in Galatians 3:25 is quite clear that all people of the world are one in Christ whether Jews or gentiles.

The atonement day and resurrection of Jesus is a source of redemption to all nations of the world Romans 3

At the final day, all nations of the world will be judged on the same day.

Prophet Jeremiah was called to be a prophet of all nations of the world and not a particular race (Jeremiah 1:1)

Jesus’ ministry was not confined to the Jews alone but it was meant for all nations of the world.

DUTIES OF A CITIZEN

The citizen has a duty to respect and recognize the state and its authorities to direct the activities of the community so as to promote its well being. However, the state should guide people on the basis of clear policies otherwise the citizen may rebel against the state.

A citizen has a duty to engage in meaningful work for the benefit of the citizen. The family had to contribute to national development.

The citizen and the duty to promote responsible parenthood such as catering for the well-being of the children, family planning etc.

To promote democracy and the rule of law through participating in the elections and other political duties.

A citizen has the duty to pay taxes as this would make it possible to the government to provide social services. However, taxation should be carried out with justice and the funds be put to proper use.

A citizen has a duty to take part in a military field when necessary for self-defense for integrity of the state. However, they should not be forced into military services and age and health should be considered.

A citizen has the duty to respect one another.

Every citizen has a duty to participate in community activities and self-help projects such as building schools hospitals, well construction and repair

Every citizen has the duty to contribute to the promoting moral well being of the society through living exemplary lives and imparting good morals to the young ones.

Every citizen must preserve and strengthen social and cultural values for the solidarity of the society and the nation at large.

Every citizen has a duty to know the proceedings of the government and fight against in moral behaviors such as corruption.

CAUSES OF TAX DEVIATION

  • Some people lack knowledge and information about taxes. They are not sensitized about the importance of taxes and therefore end up deviating the paying of taxes.
  • Some people are poor to raise money levied on them inform of taxes. This is mainly in rural areas where incomes are very low.
  • Some people look at taxes as a means of exploiting them since the rich pay little as compared to their incomes yet the poor who earn little are levied high taxes.
  • Over taxation so that people have to strain themselves to buy goods and services.
  • Double taxation whereby wife and husband are taxed throughout the year and at the end of the year the family is taxed again inform of income tax.
  • Failure to equitably distribute the resources of taxation has also led to tax evasion. E.g Areas in the western Uganda are given were money for development than other areas.
  • Cheating by those changed with the duty of collecting taxes e.g the customs duty officer income tax department, levy taxes from some people and other go free.
  • Lack of security or political un rests also cases people to evade taxes e.g in Northern Uganda also see no reason as to why they should pay taxes when the government has failed to provide security and stability. Besides the collection of taxes is hindered by insecurity itself.
  • Discrimination by source governments in assessing taxes. E.g In Uganda the Indians are given tax holidays under the disguise of being ancestor yet the Ugandan investors are taxed.
  • Unpopularity of the government in power. Ie Some people do not support the government in power and so they want to punish it by ending taxes so that it can fail to meet its policies. This is mainly done by the opposition.
  • The delayed payment of salaries of civil servants also causes them to evade taxes as they see no good reason to pay taxes. Besides the money comes when there is a lot debts and nothing remains for paying taxes.
  • Some people evade taxes because they don’t see the returns from their taxes ie they luck all the social facilities which are supposed to be provided by the government.
  • Some youths evade taxes because of unemployment and they blame the government for the failure to provide jobs for them.
  • Tax collectors are rude and incorporative with people so they end up hiding away from them.
  • Others evade taxes when it is used to buy useless commodities like weapons of mass destruction, cigarettes etc which are all harmful to human life.
  • Some people evade taxes if it used to promote immoral activities like abortion, pornography etc therefore people see no value of paying taxes.
  • Some people have a misconception about tax payment e.g the youths look at graduated tax as an outdated form of taxation and end up evading tax payments.

REASONS WHY CHRISTIANS SHOULD PAY TAXES

  • It is a duty of every citizen to pay taxes in order to contribute to national development Romans 9:6-7
  • According to Exodus 30:11-26 all men above the age of 20 years have to pay taxes therefore its an obligation for a Christian to pay taxes to fulfill God’s laws.
  • When taxation is according to one’s income is is acceptable 2 Kings 23:33-35
  • In the old testament taxes were for the up keep of the state and the temple 1 Kings 4:7
  • Taxation was used as a means of taking care of the future and welfare of the people e.g when famine came Egypt had enough rain. Genesis 44:25-42 Therefore Christians should pay taxes to enable the government to implement policies.
  • It is from these taxes that the country provides essential services to the masses both the rich and the poor.
  • By paying taxes the citizen will be submitting to human authority since all authorities come from God.
  • Paying taxes is an ethical and responsibility of beliefs Romans 13:6-7
  • A Christian is the light of the world and so should pay taxes to show good examples to the non-believers by respecting the country.
  • Like Jesus who paid the temple tax, every citizen should evaluate the master Mathew 17:27
  • Jesus said “Give Ceasar what belongs to God” and as such as Christian should respect the authority through paying taxes.
  • A Christian should have with others his/her wealth through paying taxes.
  • Jesus accepted to pay tribute to leaders of Palestine as expected Mathew 17:24
  • Taxes can help in maintenance of peace and stability in the country which is important for both Christians in the country which is important for both Christians should pay taxes.
  • The issue of tithe e.g in Malachi 3 is equivalent to pay as you earn.
  • In the New Testament the famous census enrollment during which Jesus was born took place for the purpose of taxation Luke 2:1-7

CIRCUMSTANCES UNDER WHICH CHRISTIANS SHOULD EVADE TAX

When the tax is being misused and goes into the hands of the individual.

As means of buying down an oppressive and exploitative regime.

When the tax is unfairly high

When there is double taxation

When it is used to buy useless commodities like weapons of massive destruction

If it is used to exploit and oppress the poor

 

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