When Paying Taxes Becomes a Mortal Sin

[DanielJohn]

If a man knows that his government uses tax dollars to pay for abortions, then it is a mortal sin for that man to pay taxes to his government.

If you do not believe that is a mortal sin, then please do not respond to this thread. I’m only interested in what my brothers and sisters in Christ think concerning my question.

My question is this: if a man knows that his government uses tax dollars to pay for vasectomies, rather than abortions, then is it a mortal sin for that man to pay taxes to his government?

 

[Rence]

No, it is not a sin to pay taxes. It’s one’s civil duty, and those taxes are paid out with the needs and wants of a multicultural society’s needs and wants. As such, there will always be something someone doesn’t like about what taxes go to pay, and citizens are not allowed to simply not pay their taxes because some of the funds go to pay for something they find offensive. Those who don’t pay their taxes get into a big legal mess that usually only results in garnishment of wages and their property to pay for taxes they refuse to pay. The government will get their money, the hard way or the easy way. It’s also against the law to withhold taxes in order to protest.

 

[LeafByNiggle]

No, it is not a sin to pay taxes. It’s one’s civil duty, and those taxes are paid out with the needs and wants of a multicultural society’s needs and wants. As such, there will always be something someone doesn’t like about what taxes go to pay, and citizens are not allowed to simply not pay their taxes because some of the funds go to pay for something they find offensive. Those who don’t pay their taxes get into a big legal mess that usually only results in garnishment of wages and their property to pay for taxes they refuse to pay. The government will get their money, the hard way or the easy way. It’s also against the law to withhold taxes in order to protest.

Would you also say that it is not a sin for a Catholic institution to pay a mandated premium for health insurance that includes abortion coverage (the HHS mandate)? I have heard civil disobedience discussed as an option to respond to the HHS mandate. Although it is not a “tax” exactly, it is quite close to being a tax since it is a payment that is mandated by the government, just like a tax. And just like the general tax, the HHS mandated insurance coverage goes for lots of things besides the objectionable services. So we could ask the analogous question “When Paying for Insurance Coverage for your Employees Becomes a Mortal Sin”.

 

[DanielJohn]

The reason why I believe paying taxes is a mortal sin in the first case is because it would be a participation in murder. I should have mentioned that. Also, if I knew the date that the government was going to confiscate my property in order to cover the cost of murder, then I would destroy all of my property before that date.

 

[TimothyH]

The reason why I believe paying taxes is a mortal sin in the first case is because it would be a participation in murder. I should have mentioned that. Also, if I knew the date that the government was going to confiscate my property in order to cover the cost of murder, then I would destroy all of my property before that date.

I believe you are correct.

Abortion is a sin and supporting abortion is a sin. The sin of abortion and supporting abortion are objective sins. When we cooperate in any way, including paying taxes, we cooperate with sin and we sin. We cannot get around it.

But the issue is really culpablity, not sin.

What we are concerned with then is not sin but culpablity to sin. Culpability is how much blame we bear. This is the area of moral theology, how we apply the teaching of Christ in our daily lives.

We are*** less culpable to that sin if we are forced to do so at gunpoint or threatened with jail for not paying taxes. But we are more ***culpable to that sin if we do nothing and let it happen.

Jesus will understand that we had little choice - we really couldn’t go to jaill for not paying taxes and thereby leave our kids homeless. On the other hand, he will ask us why we didn’t speak out, why we voted for pro-abortion candidates, why we didn’t pray about it and why we didn’t bother to check the Church’s teaching or find out the candidate’s voting record.

The sin is objective but we are in control of how culpable we are - how much blame we bear for allowing that sin to continue. Catholics who cooperate with abortion but ought to know better will be more culpable than those who’s pastors are trying to convince them that abortion is OK.

-Tim-

 

[ExGratia]

A moral way to avoid taxation is to reduce your taxable income. This is a principle of Christian Anarchism (Dorothy Day was a Christian anarchist), of many people living off the grid, and many people involved in anarcho-punk ideas.

If you truly feel it is wrong to pay taxes, reduce your expenses by living simply, maybe in a communal environment. Work off the land or get an off-the-grid occupation. Work under the table as a waiter or a cab driver (you cannot lie to an entity, only to individuals, so that is not immoral…I know some people would disagree). Or work for a low wage as few hours as possible if you do not want to work under the table. Or sell wares you make for cash in your new, simple lifestyle.

I am not saying this is how I live! But I know people who have lived or are living with these ideals, and they are admirable. Tax evasion charges would really make it difficult to be a witness in the world so these may be your only options.

 

[Rence]

Would you also say that it is not a sin for a Catholic institution to pay a mandated premium for health insurance that includes abortion coverage (the HHS mandate)? I have heard civil disobedience discussed as an option to respond to the HHS mandate. Although it is not a “tax” exactly, it is quite close to being a tax since it is a payment that is mandated by the government, just like a tax. And just like the general tax, the HHS mandated insurance coverage goes for lots of things besides the objectionable services. So we could ask the analogous question “When Paying for Insurance Coverage for your Employees Becomes a Mortal Sin”.

I agree that the mandate is close to being a tax. Yes, it’s a mandate made by the government across the board just like taxes. If the mandate is made across the board, then just as taxes, it has to be paid or there are legal ramifications, just like there are ramifications for not paying taxes. I don’t know what kind of civil disobedience is being discussed, but I’m not going to subject myself to fines, jail time or anything else over it. Nor will I cancel my own health insurance. If there are people who would rather be subjected to fines or who would rather go to jail because they don’t want to follow the mandate, then let them. It’s their choice. I’ve heard that some are calling others to cancel their insurance policies and get private insurance (which is extremely costly), and if people want to do that, and they can afford it, more power to them. Let them. However,

Jesus said, “render to Caeser what is Caesar’s, and render to God what is God’s.” We are also called to respect our earthly princes, cited by the Bible as put there by God. If people want to change the way our earthly authority figures do things, they should lobby, protest, put their vote to power, etc. But that doesn’t include breaking the law and incurring fines and jail time. So people who are opposed to this mandate should be making their voices heard now. It’ll be too late if the mandate sticks. And what it boils down to is that the voters with the most voice will be heard. If more voters want this mandate, than don’t want it, then it’ll stick. If more voters don’t want it, then it won’t. Politicians care about is their political position, and they’ll go with what their voters want. After all, that’s why they are in their positions: they represent all the citizens.

 

[Rence]

The reason why I believe paying taxes is a mortal sin in the first case is because it would be a participation in murder. I should have mentioned that.

I can empathize with that. Many people are quite irked about how their taxes are spent. One of my neighbors goes on and on about how her money is being used to support teenage pregnancies. There is always something a taxpayer doesn’t like about how tax money is being spent. It goes with living in a multi-cultural and secular society. Another one of my neighbors is irritated about paying for private tuition, and knowing that part of his taxes are paying for public education. And I moved to an area with less taxes…but in exchange, I don’t get garbage pickup and our roads are gravel, not paved, until we reach the highway.

Also, if I knew the date that the government was going to confiscate my property in order to cover the cost of murder, then I would destroy all of my property before that date.

Well, you better do it carefully, because if it can be traced back to you, you’ll just go to jail. You’ll have to quit your job too, because your wages will just get garnished. So you won’t have a home, or a job.

 

[Rence]

But the issue is really culpablity, not sin.

What we are concerned with then is not sin but culpablity to sin. Culpability is how much blame we bear. This is the area of moral theology, how we apply the teaching of Christ in our daily lives.

We are*** less culpable to that sin if we are forced to do so at gunpoint or threatened with jail for not paying taxes. But we are more ***culpable to that sin if we do nothing and let it happen.

Jesus will understand that we had little choice - we really couldn’t go to jaill for not paying taxes and thereby leave our kids homeless. On the other hand, he will ask us why we didn’t speak out, why we voted for pro-abortion candidates, why we didn’t pray about it and why we didn’t bother to check the Church’s teaching or find out the candidate’s voting record.

The sin is objective but we are in control of how culpable we are - how much blame we bear for allowing that sin to continue. Catholics who cooperate with abortion but ought to know better will be more culpable than those who’s pastors are trying to convince them that abortion is OK.
-Tim-

I agree. Now is the time to make your voices heard if you don’t want this mandate. After it sticks, if it sticks, it will be too late. I mean, you can keep trying to fight it legally, but it would just be self-defeating to bring it to jail time and monetary punishments. If the mandate sticks, then the shift will not only be to lobbying/voting/protesting, but it will include more evangelization and education.

 

[SonCatcher]

Would you also say that it is not a sin for a Catholic institution to pay a mandated premium for health insurance that includes abortion coverage (the HHS mandate)? I have heard civil disobedience discussed as an option to respond to the HHS mandate. Although it is not a “tax” exactly, it is quite close to being a tax since it is a payment that is mandated by the government, just like a tax. And just like the general tax, the HHS mandated insurance coverage goes for lots of things besides the objectionable services. So we could ask the analogous question “When Paying for Insurance Coverage for your Employees Becomes a Mortal Sin”.

The HHS mandate is not a tax. If congress instead instituted a healthcare tax and single-payer system, the story would be different.

 

[Dogmatic]

I don’t pay my taxes!!!

 

[LeafByNiggle]

The HHS mandate is not a tax. If congress instead instituted a healthcare tax and single-payer system, the story would be different.

My only reason for drawing the parallel was to explore the question of this thread. Even though the HHS mandate is not strictly a tax, does that distinction mean that any conclusion that might be reached on the morality of paying taxes has no bearing on the the morality of buying health insurance in accordance with the HHS mandate?

 

[Balian]

I don’t think it is a sin to pay taxes under the circumstances described. We are required under threat of imprisonment to pay federal taxes and we have no direct control over how the government chooses to spend the revenue it confiscates from us. Like someone else mentioned already, Christ taught us to “render to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and render to God what is God’s.”

I agree that abortion is murder but it is the government who makes it lawfully available and directs tax dollars to support it. Paying taxes under threat of imprisonment for not doing so doesn’t at all mean that I consent to my tax dollars being used for abortion nor does it make me complicit in murder in anyway. It is sort of like this to me. I decide to sell a hammer in a garage sale I no longer have a need for and someone buys it. That person then goes out and murders someone by hitting someone over the head with the hammer. I wouldn’t have any culpability for the other person’s sin.

Personally I don’t like or agree with many of the ways my tax dollars are spent. While I have no direct control over it, I can and I think I must do my best in asserting as much indirect control as I can by educating myself about the way my elected representatives vote to spend tax dollars and should support those whose votes are in line with my Christian beliefs and vote against those whose votes are not.

As far as the HHS mandate goes, it isn’t a tax and so it doesn’t fall under Christ’s teaching on the subject in my opinion.

 

[Johwo84]

I don’t think it is a sin to pay taxes under the circumstances described. We are required under threat of imprisonment to pay federal taxes and we have no direct control over how the government chooses to spend the revenue it confiscates from us. Like someone else mentioned already, Christ taught us to “render to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and render to God what is God’s.”

Once you give everything that belongs to God to God, there is nothing left for Caesar.

Many of our glorious martyrs have died resisting the state over matters less intrinsically evil than abortion, especially in the English-speaking world.

"Howbeit, it is not for this supremacy so much that ye seek my blood, as for that I would not condescend to the marriage!” -St. Thomas More

 

[sw85]

No, no, no!

No one here is the magisterium of the Church. You do not get to decide what does and does not constitute a mortal sin.

The formal teachings of the Catholic Church oblige all citizens of every to obey the law, including paying taxes:

The duties of citizens

2238 Those subject to authority should regard those in authority as representatives of God, who has made them stewards of his gifts:43 "Be subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution. . . . Live as free men, yet without using your freedom as a pretext for evil; but live as servants of God."44 Their loyal collaboration includes the right, and at times the duty, to voice their just criticisms of that which seems harmful to the dignity of persons and to the good of the community.

2239 It is the duty of citizens to contribute along with the civil authorities to the good of society in a spirit of truth, justice, solidarity, and freedom. The love and service of one’s country follow from the duty of gratitude and belong to the order of charity. Submission to legitimate authorities and service of the common good require citizens to fulfill their roles in the life of the political community.

2240 Submission to authority and co-responsibility for the common good make it morally obligatory to pay taxes, to exercise the right to vote, and to defend one’s country: …

 

[Johwo84]

No, no, no!

No one here is the magisterium of the Church. You do not get to decide what does and does not constitute a mortal sin.

The formal teachings of the Catholic Church oblige all citizens of every to obey the law, including paying taxes:

With all due respect, I believe in this case that is quoting the CCC out of context, since it also teaches that we have a duty to resist immoral laws. I’m not able to say that paying taxes in light of this is a mortal sin; however, it seems to me that it is at least not sinful to not pay taxes for this reason.

 

[DanielJohn]

Thanks everybody for the well-thought out replies so far. Balian, I agree with your garage sale analogy, but if the guy tells you that he is going to kill someone with the hammer that you have not yet sold to him, then you won’t sell him the hammer.

SW85, I doubt that the magisterium has ruled on the specific question of paying taxes when you know that the money is going to be used to kill innocent people. If it were to rule on that specific question, and say that it is not a mortal sin, then it would be impossible for me to believe it. It would be like me believing a magisterium that says “Jesus is not the Christ.”

I was hoping to get some answers to my original yes/no question. Here is another way to ask it: Assuming that it is a mortal sin to help cover the cost of abortions, is it also a mortal sin to help cover the cost of vasectomies?

Later, I will explain why I asked this question. Thanks.

 

[Rence]

Once you give everything that belongs to God to God, there is nothing left for Caesar.

Then Jesus wouldn’t have said that, so obviously there is something to render to Caesar, and that something is taxes. We are called to obey the laws, which require us to pay taxes. The only way to get out of paying taxes is to establish a self-sufficient community, such as the Amish, who neither pay into, nor receive, from the government.

 

[Rence]

With all due respect, I believe in this case that is quoting the CCC out of context, since it also teaches that we have a duty to resist immoral laws. I’m not able to say that paying taxes in light of this is a mortal sin; however, it seems to me that it is at least not sinful to not pay taxes for this reason.

With all due respect, one can’t take “morally obligatory to pay taxes” to mean anything but that we have to pay our taxes. Anything else is taking it out of context. Here it is again, and in full.

2240 Submission to authority and co-responsibility for the common good make it morally obligatory to pay taxes, to exercise the right to vote, and to defend one’s country:

Pay to all of them their dues, taxes to whom taxes are due, revenue to whom revenue is due, respect to whom respect is due, honor to whom honor is due.

45
[Christians] reside in their own nations, but as resident aliens. They participate in all things as citizens and endure all things as foreigners. . . . They obey the established laws and their way of life surpasses the laws. . . . So noble is the position to which God has assigned them that they are not allowed to desert it.46

In other words, we are called to fight our fight with dignity. Be a living example of your faith, but you still have to pay taxes and follow the civil laws.

 

[sw85]

With all due respect, I believe in this case that is quoting the CCC out of context, since it also teaches that we have a duty to resist immoral laws. I’m not able to say that paying taxes in light of this is a mortal sin; however, it seems to me that it is at least not sinful to not pay taxes for this reason.

No. You have a duty* not to obey* immoral laws.

Taxation is not in principle immoral – even if in practice it can sometimes be used to subsidize evil.

See, too, St. Paul’s epistle to the Romans, esp. chapter 13. He commands them to obey authority, identifying paying taxes as a duty which Christians owe God (on whose authority the state acts). He said this, mind you, to Christian subjects of the Roman Empire – who had just finished killing their God and who was actively torturing and persecuting them. If the early Christians were obligated to pay taxes to their sworn enemies in the state, then we are obligated, too.

SW85, I doubt that the magisterium has ruled on the specific question of paying taxes when you know that the money is going to be used to kill innocent people.

There is no need to rule on the “specific question” because there is a general rule already in place. The state commands with the authority of God. Among its licit powers is to enact and collect taxes. To disobey the state in any matter except where its will conflicts with that of God is sinful.

If it were to rule on that specific question, and say that it is not a mortal sin, then it would be impossible for me to believe it. It would be like me believing a magisterium that says “Jesus is not the Christ.”

You are not the magisterium of the Church. You do not get to decide what is truth. It is protected from error; you aren’t.