Your thoughts on Zakat?
- Thread starter Machjo
- Start date
This thread is really just a spinoff from the 'fringe' ideas thread. It seems a few threads have spun off of it already. Good.
We were discussing more just tax policies, and we got onto the topic of Zakat. Personally, I could see Zakat as a very fair tax syste. It's simple and straightforward, yet still progressive.
We were discussing more just tax policies, and we got onto the topic of Zakat. Personally, I could see Zakat as a very fair tax syste. It's simple and straightforward, yet still progressive.
I could even see variations on it. For example, making all charitable contributions earmarked to helping the poor Zakat-deductible. But if the government collects it, of course it must still go to help the poor.
And this woud not necessarily be intended to increase taxes, but to shift taxes so that other taxes could be reduced.
And this woud not necessarily be intended to increase taxes, but to shift taxes so that other taxes could be reduced.
I had never heard of it ... but I do know "alms for the poor". I believe that was probably the original intent of tithe and the collection plate. It's a great concept for the poor will always be among us ... and they are the first ones to be blamed when times get tough.
What would you think of the idea as a tax system though, or any similar idea of taxing accumulated wealth rather than income?
I'm afraid my response would be somewhat biased. Any assets of monetary value I had left after the divorce and the going-out-of-business sale vanished in the struggle for survival between college and the time McGuinty got elected so my ODSP could kick in. Though I may be well-off to someone from a third-world country, in Canada, I am the poor.
Wel, in that case, a wealth tax would benefit you, wouldn't it? After all, it would tax your non-essential accumulated wealth. Well, if you don't have any of that, then you're not taxed!
As for me, switching to a wealth tax would benefit me too. I earn a good income, but since I give a fair bit of itaway, I'm 'comfortably poor' (if that makes any sense to you?). So with an income tax, I pay a fair bit. But if it were a wealth tax, I'd pay little.
It might. I never learned to take advantage of things like that. Income, I have to be a tad niggardly about ... but that's never stopped me from working with Literacy Outreach or helping out at the local food bank, or being a volunteer driver ... or a hair farm. Funny ... there's still those mindless few who only see the government cheque....
Even without money, there's always a way to give, I fully agree. And sometimes giving of one's time is more valuable than just cutting a cheque to some charity, no matter the amount. I confess I've been guilty in that department lately. Could use that I'm too busy as an excuse, but hopefully by next year I'll be a little less busy and can get back to giving some of my time too like I used to do.
Zakat is a terrible idea which Wikipedia doesn't elucidate at all. It is very specific and complicated as a reasonable explanation elucidates. One sip of alcohol and you are ineligible, how is that reasonable? Not saying prayers and you are ineligible, again unreasonable.
If you want to talk about the idea of having to give a certain proportion of your taxes to some charity, you probably would find the Italian system more palatable. Zakat cannot be seperated from Islam, Zakat is not a basic representation of the idea of enforced charitable donations.
If you want to talk about the idea of having to give a certain proportion of your taxes to some charity, you probably would find the Italian system more palatable. Zakat cannot be seperated from Islam, Zakat is not a basic representation of the idea of enforced charitable donations.
We give of our time and money to several local and international "help" organizations.
We try to do good and to really make a difference to those we help.
We like to know exactly where our money goes, so Zakat can get stuffed.
:-( I had a nifty, full page reply all drafted up, read it, took a deep breath, and realized I really don't give a shlt.
We try to do good and to really make a difference to those we help.
We like to know exactly where our money goes, so Zakat can get stuffed.
:-( I had a nifty, full page reply all drafted up, read it, took a deep breath, and realized I really don't give a shlt.
I find the longer my posts get, the more disgusted I am with myself.
And I have sent some doozies.