Chambers sets a snare in tax debate

Maverick veteran lawmaker Ernie Chambers is at it again, this time in an unlikely arena, the debate on taxes.

To the joy of some and the bewilderment of others, the proclaimed atheist state senator has offered a bill (LB675) that would end the property tax exemption for Nebraska churches. The man who sued God back in 2007 is, once again, quoting the Bible to prove his point. Wait, an atheist quoting the Bible? Not surprising to me.

Years ago when I ventured out of the capitol press room in search of a Bible to fact-check a story I was writing, I found three in Chambers' office. Daily inspiration? Recreational reading? Debate fodder? Just Ernie being Ernie.

Since some of his colleagues aren't likely to be well versed in the Word, Chambers has an edge to take scripture out of context to make it work for him. Much of it is done sarcastically to poke at those who occasionally intone God's word in pressing their favorite issues. But sometimes he contradicts himself. Seven years ago he claimed that he could sue God in Douglas County "because He's everywhere." That's quite an admission for an atheist.

Yes, he made his point against frivolous lawsuits. One has to wonder what his point is with taxing churches. Perhaps it's just another avenue to rail against something he dislikes while raising the ire of some of his pontificating colleagues. Or maybe it's just setting the stage for him to delay the passage of any massive tax changes that Gov. Heineman wants passed in his last year in the executive office. Or he may even be paving the way for a filibustering lecture about the separation of church and state.

Without citing exact Scripture references, Chambers said Jesus declared that we must "render unto Caesar what is Caesar's" when asked whether taxes should be paid to Caesar.

He said that's reason enough to undo the exemption on churches because the people who go there want to see Scripture fulfilled. Chambers noted that the governor and candidates for governor have said that everything should be on the table for discussion. He said he was simply putting churches on the table.

So, what about the Scripture reference? It appears twice in the New Testament of the Bible: Mark 12: 13-17 and Matthew 22: 15-22. Note that I have included the surrounding verses in order to put Chambers' selected verse in context.

"13: Later they sent some of the Pharisees and Herodians to Jesus to catch him in his words. 14: They came to him and said, 'Teacher, we know that you are a man of integrity. You aren't swayed by others, because you pay no attention to who they are; but you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. Is it right to pay the imperial tax to Caesar or not? 15: Should we pay or shouldn't we?' But Jesus knew their hypocrisy. 'Why are you trying to trap me?' he asked. 'Bring me a denarius and let me look at it.' 16: They brought the coin, and he asked them, 'Whose image is this? And whose inscription?' 'Caesar's,' they replied. 17: Then Jesus said to them, 'Give back to Caesar what is Caesar's and to God what is God's.' And they were amazed at him." -- Mark 12:13-17 New International Version of the Bible.

English Presbyterian minister Matthew Henry (1662-1714) explained the verses in his widely recognized "Complete Commentary" on the Bible and what he wrote sheds some light on this most recent use of the reference. Those asking the question were more interested in accusing Jesus, Henry wrote. "Nothing is more likely to ensnare the followers of Christ, than bringing them to meddle with disputes about worldly politics. Jesus avoided the snare, by referring to the submission they had already made as a nation; and all that heard him, marveled at the great wisdom of his answer. Many will praise the words of a sermon, who will not be commanded by the doctrines of it," he wrote.

Sen. Chambers has set the snare. It will be interesting to see if the governor and the Legislature and interested religious leaders will avoid it. Remember, it is a short session.