I believe churches should not be exempt from municipal taxes, while they are receiving the same protection (fire, police, etc.) as businesses and home owners. I'm proud to belong to the Anchorage Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, which, since 1969, presents an annual payment-in-lieu-of-taxes to the municipality, as a statement of fairness.
Mr. Bronson's letter suggests the "left" has been attacking Pastor Prevo over the issue of property tax fairness, and its motive for doing so is to "ram through" a gay rights ordinance. This is clearly his perspective. Our denomination supports fairness and equality for all people. If being on the left means standing on the side of fairness, equality and love, then clearly, that's where I stand. If Mr. Bronson believes that fighting an ordinance that supports these values (in the name of his church that he also supports) makes him a follower of Jesus, then I believe St. Peter may someday have a couple of words for him: "Nice try."
-- Denise Martin
Anchorage
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