Letter: Socialistic move?

To the editor:

Any effort, however altruistically intended as a social remedy, which leads to a greater tax burden, is socialistic in nature. “Justice Matters” is particularly deceptive because it targets churches to lead the charge. Those who buy in are simply co-opted into thinking it is “Kingdom building” when the end result in Lawrence will be what it has been elsewhere: a lobbying presence in Topeka or, as it now appears, an outright and audacious appeal to local taxpayers. It is really just a deceptive way to grow our government and the entitlement class with church sanction and muscle. It is counterfeit compassion with other people’s money.

Individuals must be free to be generous where they choose, not as a mandate from a government entity, however local. Liberty and socialism do not align. Neither does the gospel and social justice.

I also find it interesting that some of the participating churches are very deft at keeping “politics” at bay within the church walls or fellowship. Somehow it is irreverent to discuss the competing nature of our left and right political parties as they effect policy, when the unbridled power of the left and the irresponsibility of the right have brought us to a place where our very precious religious liberty is at risk. If freedom of speech is lost, I charge it was first squelched in the church long before the public square.

How many ways do we need to learn this lesson?