Doom, gloom, etc.
Not going there! Just sayin...
The facts: centuries ago, a certain people group took over an entire region through conquest and taxes. That is, as they slowly gained control, they gave the inhabitants three options:
1 - choose to convert and live, or
2 - choose not to convert and die, or
3 - choose not to convert and pay taxes.
I still haven't found out what determined who got to live and who *just* had to pay taxes. Probably a treasury-related decision?
Regardless, these conquered people had to pay extra taxes, beyond the norm, because they chose to believe differently.
When I learned about this system of conquest, it was esconced (am I spelling that right?) in a history lesson. When I learned about this, I thought, wow, that's so smart. No wonder the religion thrived. People HATE paying more taxes. And I even asked myself, my college self, "Would I convert to avoid those taxes?"
This system was esconced in a history class I took ages ago, as a system of conquest that was successful ages ago.
I was shocked to discover this system is still in play in certain regions. Certainly the convert or die system is still in play. And yes we are watching it happen with no force to hold it back.
But effective this week, this convert or be taxed system is in play in America.
In my little head, I draw a slightly eerie parallel with this story, certainly only the first of many.
And unfortunately, though I dug, I could not find an article without bias, either from the left or from the right. So I chose one that might appeal to most people of our generation.
Here is the article showing the weird correlation. SO weird: in America, they pay more because they believe differently.
Not going there! Just sayin...
The facts: centuries ago, a certain people group took over an entire region through conquest and taxes. That is, as they slowly gained control, they gave the inhabitants three options:
1 - choose to convert and live, or
2 - choose not to convert and die, or
3 - choose not to convert and pay taxes.
I still haven't found out what determined who got to live and who *just* had to pay taxes. Probably a treasury-related decision?
Regardless, these conquered people had to pay extra taxes, beyond the norm, because they chose to believe differently.
When I learned about this system of conquest, it was esconced (am I spelling that right?) in a history lesson. When I learned about this, I thought, wow, that's so smart. No wonder the religion thrived. People HATE paying more taxes. And I even asked myself, my college self, "Would I convert to avoid those taxes?"
This system was esconced in a history class I took ages ago, as a system of conquest that was successful ages ago.
I was shocked to discover this system is still in play in certain regions. Certainly the convert or die system is still in play. And yes we are watching it happen with no force to hold it back.
But effective this week, this convert or be taxed system is in play in America.
In my little head, I draw a slightly eerie parallel with this story, certainly only the first of many.
And unfortunately, though I dug, I could not find an article without bias, either from the left or from the right. So I chose one that might appeal to most people of our generation.
Here is the article showing the weird correlation. SO weird: in America, they pay more because they believe differently.
