While I remain an interested spectator of religions, especially Christianity, I have only recently started to read about the potential conflict with Christian values and the ongoing process of negotiating a solution to our nation's ongoing fiscal problems.
In general, we are faced between two opposing views: (1) balance the budget with cuts in appropriations only, and (2) balance in some sort reductions with sources of increased revenues. Those advocating only cuts tend to be those who are, in principle, opposed to any increase in taxes.
If the outcome only included reductions, there would be many people affected by the reductions. In general, the largest demographic group would be referenced as "poor".
For Christians, the "poor" are a special category ranked particularly high in terms of how a Christian is measured. The Scriptures reference the "poor" as those who "deserve" the attention of Christians.
It would be particularly difficult to square the more conservative approach to restoring our fiscal integrity with Christian values.
On the other hand, should Christians (and members of other religions, all of whom address the needs of those "without") realize that their value system requires more "generosity" from those who "have" in order to help those who "have less", then they would clearly not support legislators who advocate only for cuts in appropriations without including a significant amount of additional revenues, especially from those "have a lot".
So well said Edward.
ReplyDeleteThanks,
Jocelynb