How else is there to respond to Gingrich's claim that President Obama's proposed changes in the tax code could spell the end of religion in America?
How else to describe Gingrich's claim that President Obama's proposed changes in the tax code could spell the end of religion in America? In an interview with OneNewsNow, the former House Speaker claims churches are now in a "war" with the government (my emph.):
Author and political commentator Newt Gingrich of American Solutions calls President Obama's tax program a "war against churches and charities." Gingrich accuses President Obama of "deliberately" trying to take away the charitable deduction for successful people so they will not give as much money to churches or charities.
"I think there's a clear to desire to replace the church with a bureaucracy, and to replace people's right to worship together with a government-dominated system," he contends.
I'm no tax or budget expert. I haven't seen any analysis of the relationship between charitable giving and deductions among those with higher incomes. It may very well be that a proposal to lower the tax break from 33 cents on the dollar to 28 cents for couples making $250,000+ a year is a bad idea for non-profits that should be opposed. I don't know. I'm guessing the current economy also hasn't done wonders for organizations that depend upon charitable giving.
Here's what I do know: questioning exactly where the number should be, 33% or 28%, does not amount to an existential threat to religion in America, and certainly not to "people's right to worship together." Gingrich may believe that it's the wealthiest Americans seeking tax relief that are keeping religion vibrant across the country, but the rest of us know better. I welcome the tax incentives that accompany giving – they're surely not going anywhere and maybe should be emboldened, not lessened – but religion thrives in America because it's free, not because it's tax-deductible.
