Re: Church opposes tax law

I do not support this law by the Samoa government. It is NOT RIGHT and it has many bad consequences if enforced.

First of all the money donated by the parishioners or members of a congregation to the Faifeau or the church is for their heart felt desire to be used for the work of God whether it be for the faifeau or any programmes being run by the church for the benefit of those who are members of that organization.

They were not donating this money with the intention that it be diverted to pay taxes. All of the people paying lafoga for the church should already have taxes taken out of their income PRIOR to paying the donation to the church. The church then is responsible to the members to use that money as intended.

For the government to enforce a tax on this donation is to insert its own control over the churches. This violates the separation of church and state. The State can now make churches subject to their control which violates the 11th Article of the Samoa constitution which states:

(1) Every person has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change his or her religion or belief, and freedom, either alone or in a community with others, and, in public or private, to manifest and propagate his or her religion or belief in worship, teaching, practice and observance.

(2) Nothing in clause (1) shall affect the operation of any existing law or prevent the State from making any law in so far as that existing law or the law so made imposes reasonable restrictions on the exercise of the right conferred under the provisions of that clause in the interests of national security or of public order, health or morals, or for protecting the rights and freedom of others, including their rights and freedom to observe and practice their religion without the unsolicited interference of members of other religions.

Under part 2 it is clear that the laws of the land cannot interfere, unless they are “reasonable”, […]

By : Mark McDowell Tags: