reply on: Taxation is theft is too weak. It's much worse than that \ stacker news ~libertarian

0 sats \ 0 replies \ @kepford OP 12 Mar \ parent \ on: Taxation is theft is too weak. It's much worse than that libertarian

Give to Caesar that which is Caesar's and to God that which is God's

Are you getting that taxation is not wrong because Jesus didn't say it was wrong? If you go down that road you run into many problems. The context is important.

And they sent to him some of the Pharisees and some of the Herodians, to trap him in his talk. And they came and said to him, “Teacher, we know that you are true and do not care about anyone’s opinion. For you are not swayed by appearances, but truly teach the way of God. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?

Do you see what they were trying to do? They were asking Jesus if it violated the Jewish Law to pay taxes. They were not asking if it was morally right. What does Jesus do?

But, knowing their hypocrisy, he said to them, “Why put me to the test? Bring me a denarius and let me look at it.” And they brought one. And he said to them, “Whose likeness and inscription is this?” They said to him, “Caesar’s.”

We get the context for a reason. These men were using Caesar's money. They were in his system. These men didn't like Caesar or paying taxes. They resented it. If you are trying to tell me these men thought taxes were a good thing I don't think you've thought deeply about this. I used to read past this passage myself in the same way. Its because I'd never heard anyone provide another way to look at it.

Jesus said to them, “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” And they marveled at him.

As with many things in the New Testament their focus was on the Kingdom of God, not the kingdom of this world. Overthrowing the hearts of men, not the systems of this world. But by transforming the hearts of men the world is made better.

The way I understand this passage is that if you are gonna play with this man's system, use his money be prepared to pay him. But the entire world is the Lord's and give him everything.