TO: Department of the Treasury Internal Revenue Service, Kansas City, MO 64999-0002
Copies to : Rep. Jefferson Shreve, Senator Todd Young, Senator Jim Banks, President Donald Trump
To my government representatives,
As a USA citizen I see our laws as a community agreement, and I do my best to obey laws. However, I believe that God’s laws must come first, and God tells us, “Thou shalt not kill.” Currently the majority of every tax dollar goes to pay for past, present, and future wars. I will not pay the tax amount I owe to the federal government. I will instead pay the amount to groups working to heal the wounds of war and prevent future violence. According to Acts 5:29 in the Bible, “We must obey God rather than any human authority.” (NRSV).
I am not against the idea of taxes. I wish that I could fulfill my financial responsibilities to the country I live in without denying my conscience and faith. Unfortunately I’m given a choice of paying to kill or dealing with federal penalties. I have to choose your penalties. I won’t pay for war.
My 2024 tax return said that I owe $2,192 in taxes. This year I will donate $1,000 to Friends Peace Teams joining communities in conflict around the world to create enduring cultures of peace, $1,000 to the Palestine-Global Mental Health Network promoting mental wellbeing, dignity, and social justice for all peoples (particularly Palestine), and $192 to Sabeel Ecumenical Liberation Theology Center working to promote justice, peace, and reconciliation and to deepen the faith and unity of Palestinian Christians. These non-profit groups are working to meet needs of the people suffering from the destruction and killing our USA government is funding. I am not benefitting financially from my refusal to pay for war. I want every cent I owe paid to save lives and build peace, not to destroy lives.
Sincerely,
Susan Lee Barton
No comments:
Post a Comment