Tax plan not a religious issue

This letter is in response to “Spirituality, common life and the GOP tax reform,” Kevin McCruden, Ph.D. (Jan. 14).

I try to be a spiritual person. I try to raise good children, go to church, volunteer, support local charities, etc. I fall short sometimes (in other words, I sin), I pray, I try to do better. I read the Bible. Life is a constant struggle to do better. However, I have never considered the tax code has a source of spiritual inspiration or sadness.

I agree the lesson Jesus tries to impart on us is to treat each other generously and compassionately, but his teachings were not directed at the government authorities of the day, they were directed at the people and the religious authorities. “Give to God what is God’s and give to Caesar what is Caesar’s,” Mark 12:17.

If the underlying point is that we over-consume and do not treat others with compassion, I agree, but why blame the tax code? As Professor McCruden points out, this behavior has been around since the time of the Apostles; it is not the result of the GOP tax code.

At a time when we are continually reminded of the separation between church and state and where the government passes all sorts of laws that offend our religious sensibilities and abridge our religious freedoms, the GOP tax reform isn’t the problem.

It would seem more fitting to see commentary about the tax code changes from professors of GU’s Business School.

Wayne Leonard

Spokane