Drawing
on excerpts from Alwyn Thomson’s article “Giving
generously and changing the world?” Lynda Gould
encourages us to explore together our attitudes to paying
tax as a way of providing for the needs of others.
WELCOME
AND ORIENTATION
5 minutes
Welcome participants to the conversation and remind
them of the purpose and spirit of the dialogue. Then
take some time to set the tone for the conversation
together. Let the group know something of the flow of
the conversation, identifying the key stages in the
process and the different places where there will be
opportunities to feedback comments from each participant.
Explain your role as facilitator.
AGREEMENTS
AND HOPES
15 minutes
Divide into small groups and allow a few minutes to
identify three guidelines for a good conversation. Then
as a whole group identify three guidelines that are
acceptable to all. Again in small groups (you may want
to change groups) invite people to share their hopes
and expectations for the conversation. If time and numbers
permit, invite people to express their hopes to the
whole group.
FIRST
REFLECTION AND QUESTIONS
20 minutes
Read and/or have the following reflection written on
a handout:
It
is now second nature for most of us to take our unwanted
clothes and household objects to the charity shop, knowing
that we have made a contribution to the needs of the
poor. Similarly, disaster appeals receive widespread
support through television and radio. Christians know
that they should be generous and care for the poor,
and many do give regularly and sacrificially to charitable
causes, but have you ever considered that paying tax
is a form of charitable giving and a means of contributing
to the needs of society as a whole? When we pay our
taxes we are being good citizens within the law, but
we are also contributing to a fair and just society.
Yet most of us balk at tax deductions in our salaries
and when we pay for goods and services. I wonder if
anyone would be brave enough to preach a sermon that
affirms the worth of paying tax and challenges the grudging
attitude many of us have towards contributing to needs
of others in this way?
What are your thoughts about paying taxes?
Where
in church life do you have opportunities to talk about
money, care for the poor and vulnerable, the welfare
of all and citizenship?
Ask
one or two pairs to share the essence of their conversation
with the whole group. (Keep this short, you are looking
for comments not feedback from each pair.)
FACILITATED
CONVERSATION 45
minutes
Read and/or have the following reflection written on
a handout:
The
first Christians had no welfare state. Those who were
at risk – orphans, widows, children, and the sick
– were dependent on their families and their community
for help. Christians were dependent on the generosity
of their fellow believers in the church.
In
fact, it is not that long ago that there was no comprehensive
welfare state anywhere. And when there was some kind
of provision for the poor and vulnerable it was often
provided by churches and organised around the parish
system. However, gradually the state took over so that
now in most western societies the state provides services
once provided by the church.
Of
course, the money to run the welfare system does not
come from Tony Blair or Gordon Brown; it comes from
you and me. If you pay tax, then roughly 25% of what
you earn goes straight to the state in Income Tax and
National Insurance. On top of that, almost everything
you buy is taxed at a minimum of 17.5%. If you are buying
petrol or alcohol you are paying a great deal more.
So, all of us who are taxpayers are handing over at
least 40% of our income to the state to provide for
the community through education, health, social care
and public housing. This is generous giving and, whether
we like it or not, taxation is an effective mechanism
by which Christians contribute to the welfare of all
in society. Before we give money to other charitable
causes, we have committed our earnings to the state
to care for the poor and vulnerable in society. Often
though, our commitment to or our involvement with this
generous giving ends when the payslip is filed, or the
self-assessment form is posted. Surely we should be
more interested in how our taxes are spent? To do that
though means we need to get involved in the political
realm, and for many political activism is not an obvious
dimension to active citizenship. So let's talk about
tax...
CONVERSATION
QUESTIONS Encourage people to form groups of no more than
six. Use all or select relevant questions from those
below: (more are available online)
In
what ways do you agree or disagree with Alwyn's assertion
that paying tax is a valuable way that Christians
care for the marginalised and disadvantaged in society?
P60s
indicate how much tax has been paid during the year.
If you had paid the same amount of money to an individual
or charity what level of accountability would you
expect from them regarding your gift?
Should
Christians get involved in politics and hold governments
to account for how they spend the taxes we pay? “Whatever
makes men good Christians makes them good citizens,”
Daniel Webster (1782 - 1852), US Secretary of State
and Orator.
What
do you think makes a person a “good citizen”?
Ask
some people to share the essence of their conversation
with the whole group. (Discourage verbatim accounts.)
PARTING
WORDS
15 minutes
Ask people to mention one idea, feeling, commitment
or promising question that they are taking with them.
After hearing from all who wish to speak, thank participants
and ask for general feedback.
If
you use this resource, we would value your feedback
on how it went. Call us, use our online message board
or email Lynda
Gould
LYNDA
GOULD is a Programme Director at the Centre for
Contemporary Christianity.
The
“Difficult Conversation” Programme encourages
people to have conversations about things that are difficult
to address.
(A full outline of the Conversation Process and additional
resources are available online at www.contemporarychristianity.org/resources/programmeresources.htm)
