Budget and Taxes

A church indifferent to worldly struggles and to the plight of the poor is following its own agenda, not God’s, declares head of National Council of Churches.

Faith leaders gathered at the United Methodist Building in Washington, D.C., recently for a news conference about U.S. funding for global poverty programs.

Faithful persons joining forces to encourage so-called Congressional Super Committee to not reduce U.S. deficit by placing undue burden on the poor while shielding the wealthiest.

Interreligious prayer vigils across the street from the U.S. Capitol will call on God to move in the hearts of policymakers to develop a just, compassionate budget.

'Faithful Budget Campaign' expands into hometowns and districts of Congressional leaders and members of the ‘Deficit Super Committee.’

Social justice ministry is difficult, but as followers of Jesus Christ we cannot withdraw from the battle.

25 United Methodist bishops sign letter asserting U.S. budget ‘fails basic tests of justice, compassion and commitment to common good.’

God sides with the poor, not because they are more virtuous than the rich, but because that is God’s way of healing the pain in the human family.

As states struggle with budget shortfalls and high unemployment, similar legislative fights over the benefits and rights of unions are raging across the country.

To address how the current economic problems occurred and suggest steps to remedy them.

Council of Bishops Statement on the Budget
A February 2007 Letter to the House and Senate from the Council of Bishops on the federal budget.

Faith and Facts Sheet: Budget
Part of a series examining issues through the lens of Scripture, tradition (excerpts of United Methodist policy), reason (facts and figures), and individual experience (with action opportunities).

Faith Reflection on the Federal Budget
An interfaith statement - signed by GBCS - reflecting on the shared values of economic justice, concern for the poor and vulnerable, and support for community and the common good.

Center on Budget and Policy Priorities
The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities conducts research and analysis on budget and tax policies to help ensure that the needs of low-income families and individuals are spotlighted and strengthened.

National Priorities Project
The National Priorities Project analyzes the impact of federal spending and other policies on national, state and local concerns with particular attention to issues of social justice.

163 IV. The Economic Community

We claim all economic systems to be under the judgment of God no less than other facets of the created order. Therefore, we recognize the responsibility of governments to develop and implement sound fiscal and monetary policies that provide for the economic life of individuals and corporate entities and that ensure full employment and adequate incomes with a minimum of inflation. We believe private and public economic enterprises are responsible for the social costs of doing business, such as employment and environmental pollution, and that they should be held accountable for these costs. We support measures that would reduce the concentration of wealth in the hands of a few. We further support efforts to revise tax structures and to eliminate governmental support programs that now benefit the wealthy at the expense of other persons.

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A. Basic Freedoms and Human Rights

We hold governments responsible for the protection of the rights of the people to free and fair elections and to the freedoms of speech, religion, assembly, communications media, and petition for redress of grievances without fear of reprisal; to the right to privacy; and to the guarantee of the rights to adequate food, clothing, shelter, education, and health care. The form and the leaders of all governments should be determined by exercise of the right to vote guaranteed to all adult citizens. We also strongly reject domestic surveillance and intimidation of political opponents by governments in power and all other misuses of elective or appointive offices. The use of detention and imprisonment for the harassment and elimination of political opponents or other dissidents violates fundamental human rights. Furthermore, the mistreatment or torture, and other cruel, inhumane, and degrading treatment or punishment of persons by governments for any purpose violates Christian teaching and must be condemned and/or opposed by Christians and churches wherever and whenever it occurs.

The Church regards the institution of slavery, the practice and commission of genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity, and aggression as infamous and atrocious evils. Such evils are destructive of humanity, promote impunity, and therefore must be unconditionally prohibited by all governments and shall never be tolerated by the Church.