Article October 13, 1923 Issue

True Taxation

MARJORY POULTER

In these days, when the question of taxation is often prominent in public thought, it is helpful to see what light the teachings of Christian Science can bring to bear on the subject. Mrs. Eddy writes in the Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 123), "Divine Science, rising above physical theories, excludes matter, resolves things into thoughts, and replaces the objects of material sense with spiritual ideas."

To tax, according to one dictionary, is "to lay, impose, or assess upon citizens a certain sum for the public benefit." "For the public benefit"! Taxation, then, in the highest human sense, is the mutual recognition of the inherent right and obligation of each member of a community to contribute to the support and well-being of that community, while at the same time being entitled to share in all the benefits, facilities, and protection which membership in that community brings. Without the recognition of mutual obligation there can be no real individual or cooperative activity. If one lived in the midst of a desert, there would certainly be no taxes to pay, and, possibly, fewer of the evils which claim to separate men from one another; but, on the other hand, neither would there be the undoubted opportunities and scope for progress which come from connection with a community. Paul expressed the fact of the universality of human relationship when he wrote, "None of us liveth to himself."

Jesus gave the correct understanding of taxation when he gave the command, "Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself." This is the primary tax, or obligation, imposed on all of us by divine Principle, the supreme governing authority; and it is a tax which we must all pay to the uttermost, sooner or later. The payment of this tax, however, does not improverish, but enrich us; for in endeavoring to meet its demands, we must turn to God to find out how to fulfill this mighty, imperative law of Love.

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