Do we have to pay all of our income taxes?
Brandon Sun, April 22, 2019 - David McConkey
An income tax story in the
Winnipeg Free Press and on CBC radio caught my attention. A farming
couple in eastern Manitoba, along with others across Canada, refuse
to pay the military portion of their income taxes. Because of their
religious beliefs, they assert that they should be exempt from
funding war. Are they right? I would like to explore this because it
raises issues like the freedom of religion and conscience.
Ernie and Charlotte Wiens of La Salle, belong to a Mennonite
Brethren congregation. They don’t believe in war. They have been not
paying for the military – which they calculate at 10% of the federal
budget – for a decade. They have been diverting the money instead to
a peace tax trust fund. Ernie is 72, Charlotte 69.
“We do it because of our faith, because of our understanding of the
message of Christ,” Ernie told the Free Press.
Their families have a long history of opposing war. Charlotte’s
father and two of Ernie’s uncles were conscientious objectors during
the Second World War. They would like to carry that tradition
forward to today.
“How can we live out our convictions about peace building in our
time?” Ernie asked. “How can we pray for peace, but pay for war?”
To most Canadians, calling Canada’s posture in the world war-like
seems bizarre. As is criticizing Canada’s participation in the
Second World War. Canada went to war in 1939 for no gain on our
part, but to help liberate others subjugated by Nazi Germany and
imperial Japan. The conflict could be a textbook example of a “just
war.” To Canadians whose family members were killed in that war, the
opinions of the Wiens are deeply offensive.
I want to make one point clear. I do not think that the Wiens are
wrong because their views are unpopular or because their views are
offensive to many. I think the Wiens are wrong in their assertion
that anyone should be able to choose what taxes to pay, based on
religion. This concept would tear apart our civil society.
For one thing, any such approach would be completely impractical.
Take the Canadian military as an example. Even if one had the option
to fund only “peace,” what would one change? End our membership in
NATO, which many argue has kept Europe at peace since 1945? End our
combat capacity to confront violent terrorists? End our United
Nations peacekeeping? End our capability to save lives by helping
during international and domestic natural disasters?
Now let’s look at the other concern. The Wiens claim they have the
right of religious freedom to not pay for the military. Don’t people
in Canada have the right to practise their religion? The answer is:
No.
Religious beliefs are an exercise in moral relativity. Consider war
and peace: most Christians have a very different perspective than
the Wiens. There are also diverse views within Christianity on a
host of issues relating to men and women, respect given to – or
rejection of – LGBT individuals, treatment of children, and more.
“Christian values” mean very different things to different people!
Furthermore, there are many religions. And new religions are started
up every day.
Some cherished religious traditions even lead to practices rightly
identified as “barbaric.” The Canadian government warns newcomers to
Canada that barbaric cultural practices are not tolerated
here. Our government lists as examples: “spousal abuse, ‘honour
killings,’ female genital mutilation, forced marriage or other
gender-based violence.”
So, yes, everyone in Canada has the right to any and all religious
beliefs. But not the right to any and all religious practices!
Everyone in Canada is free to hold whatever beliefs they want,
including about any government policy. But everyone cannot be free
to pay for only the parts of the government that they think fit
their religious beliefs.
So, everyone, please enjoy your freedoms in Canada. The freedom to
hold any religious or other belief. Or non-belief, for that matter.
The freedom to elect your government. The freedom to voice your
approval or objection to any government policy.
Remember how our freedoms are safeguarded. By the military and other
government institutions, of course. But also by us citizens
sustaining a civil society every day. Part of supporting a civil
society is paying our taxes – all of them.
See also:
Tax Time Offers Folks a Chance to Reflect
Charitable Donations: Top Ten Canadian Tax Tips
Political Contributions: Top Ten Canadian Tax Tips
Our Citizenship, Paid For By Our Taxes
Effective Altruism Poised to Make Major Impact
Role of Religion in War and Peace
Religion and Values in the Public Square
Brandon's Messenger of Peace: J.S. Woodsworth
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