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Agora Christian Fellowship and Services Clintonville Community Resource Center Commission on Overseas Mission and Mennonite Board of Missions Interfaith Hospitality Network Peace Tax Fund |
The National Campaign for A Peace Tax Fund The National Campaign for a Peace Tax Fund advocates for legislation in the U.S. Congress that would enable conscientious objectors to war to have their federal income taxes directed to a special fund which could be used for non-military purposes only. Columbus Mennonite Church supports this legislative effort with an annual contribution through our budget. The Religious Freedom Peace Tax Fund Bill Could there be a way for conscientious objectors to pay all of their taxes without violating deeply held religious or ethical beliefs about war? The Religious Freedom Peace Tax Fund Bill is a proposal before the U.S. Congress that would do just this.
The Peace Tax Fund Bill was introduced in Congress in 1972. Support in Congress has grown since its inception. The Campaign The National Campaign for a Peace Tax Fund is a non-profit advocacy organization based in Washington, DC. The Campaign works solely to pass this legislation. Support for the Peace Tax Fund has increased in recent years. Over 150 national and regional organizations have formally endorsed the legislation. Included in this diverse coalition are the historic peace churches (Mennonites, Church of the Brethren, and Friends); mainline Protestant denominations; Catholic, Jewish, and Unitarian organizations; peace groups and civil liberties organizations. Over 50 members of Congress have taken a public stand in support of the Peace Tax Fund Bill. Peace Tax campaigns, similar to the one in the United States, are gaining strength in a dozen other countries around the world. Your Tax Dollars At Work The Peace Tax Fund Bill affects the "current military" portion of the U.S. Budget. According to the Friends Committee on National Legislation, in Fiscal Year 1996 24.4% of actual outlays (excluding trust funds) or $279.4 billion was for current military expenses. 18.5% ($221.8 billion) was for past military expenses. Thus, 42.9% of the FY1996 Federal Fund budget was related to military spending. View the National Campaign for a Peace Tax Fund's national website, or e-mail them at peacetaxfund@igc.org. You may also write to them at: Their toll free phone number is 1 (888) PEACETAX Their FAX is (202) 986-0667. |
