The following article by LaShawn Warren was posted on the Center for American Progress website November 22, 2017:
President Donald Trump, House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-WI), and many other GOP lawmakers have continually referenced faith and religion when referring to public policy. President Trump’s public remarks have increasing been laced with religious rhetoric—from invoking the Lord to support his declaration of opioid addiction as a national health emergency to his appeal to God to bless the world after launching military strikes in Syria. Similarly, when a policy crisis on gun violence reemerged in the wake of the Sutherland Springs, Texas, massacre, Speaker Ryan immediately reverted to religious rituals urging prayer for the community, but stopping short of a call for legislation to address gun violence—something he is well positioned to do.
Public facing piety and religious references from President Trump and GOP lawmakers in Congress are increasingly difficult to square with their public policy decisions. The tax reform legislation is one of the most glaring examples. Their aggressive legislative efforts to take from the least to give to corporations and people with the most are morally and ethically indefensible. In fact, these efforts are antithetical to the social teachings of Christianity and many other faith traditions that encourage courageous compassion and emphasize the responsibility to reject greed and give in service of the common good. The tax legislation is a profound illustration of the disconnect between a professed faith identity and actions that are inconsistent with the fundamental tenants of faith traditions. Continue reading “5 Reasons Communities of Faith Should Be Alarmed by the Tax Bill”