The (state’s) tax system now is not ethical to the poor,” said Joe Bob Mizzell, director of Christian ethics for Alabama Baptists. “It is wrong to tax people who only make $4,600 a year.”
Mizzell’s sentiments reflect a resolution adopted by Alabama Baptists in 2000 — “On Resources for the Poor.” In that resolution, Alabama Baptists called “upon the governor and the state Legislature to develop and implement appropriate tax reform which will bring relief and justice to the poor who are our neighbors.”
While supporting the view expressed by Alabama Baptists in 2000, Mizzell also recognizes the concerns of those opposing Gov. Bob Riley’s tax proposal. “This is a divisive issue,” he said. “There are Baptists and Christians on both sides of it, and they are sincere about their positions.”
With the different viewpoints lobbying each side and the inundation of “information” floating around the state, Mizzell said his role is to provide objective, straightforward resources.
“There’s a lot of misinformation out there,” he explained. “I’m trying to give them information so they can vote intelligently. I don’t want to tell them how to vote,” he said. “I want them to be a better-informed person when they do vote, and I want to encourage them to make sure they do vote.”
Mizzell’s office has prepared packets of information containing editorials and viewpoints on both sides of the issue as well as an explanation of the different aspects of the bills making up the package.
Also in the packet is the exact wording of the proposal to appear on the ballot Sept. 9 and a copy of Alabama Baptists’ “On Resources for the Poor” resolution. A legislative summary of the 2003 special session on the tax package and points of interest about the package from the governor’s office are other items found in the packet.
Helpful resource
Noting the packet of material is available to anyone who is interested in the tax issue, Mizzell encourages all voters to study the information. “Pastors would especially benefit from it,” he noted.
Mizzell also will be speaking at various associational meetings, pastors conferences and church services during August.
“I’ve developed a slide presentation,” he said. “I’ll be dealing with the most frequently asked questions concerning this issue.”
During his presentations, Mizzell said will explain the pros and cons about the proposal. “I will talk about some parts that I think are not wise and some that I think are very good.
“I’m not going to tell people how to vote, but if this does not pass, we will have to face the gambling situation again,” he noted.
When a lottery was proposed in 1999 as a way to repair the state’s educational woes, Alabama Baptists did not concede. They helped defeat the lottery and looked to other ways to help the education system.
Gary Fenton, pastor of Dawson Memorial Baptist Church, Homewood, said, “I, along with many Christians, took a strong stand against our state endorsing and promoting gambling.
“We opposed the lottery because we knew it appealed to the worst in people, and it enticed people to gamble instead of work,” he said.
“On moral grounds I opposed the lottery and on moral grounds I support the (tax) proposal. We have successfully taken a stand against gambling,” he said. “Now is the time we take steps toward helping the poor and the powerless.
“The Bible clearly teaches that we are to assist the poor and the needy (Deut. 15:7–11, Mark 10:21, Matt. 25:31–46),” Fenton said.
Noting the tax proposal is not perfect, Fenton said it does assist the poor in two ways:
“First, it lessens the tax burden on those who can least afford to pay taxes,” he said. “Our present tax system places a disproportionate share of tax responsibilities upon the low-income bracket, and the proposal makes steps to correct an unfair system.
“Second, by improving school funding, we provide the tools to children and youth to work their way out of poverty,” Fenton said.
“If we expect people to construct a better future and accept responsibility for their own lives, we must make certain they have access to the building tools,” he explained.
To request the information packet from Mizzell, call 1-800-264-1225, Ext. 267.
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