[YAF-announce] war tax resistance letter

[Katherine Fisher]

Dear friends and family,

I am writing to let you know that I am not going to pay my taxes this year.
I have been considering this decision for several years, with help from
friends and a clearness committee from Beacon Hill Friends Meeting.  I have
discovered that I am a conscientious objector to participation in war, and
it violates my religious conscience to pay taxes that support military
activity.  Rather than paying taxes, I will put my tax money in an escrow
fund where it will be used for life-affirming purposes.

Participation in war violates my belief in the worth and dignity of every
human being (the light within, as Friends call it).  I am certain that if I
were being drafted into military service, I would refuse to go, because I
could not participate in killing another human being.  Taxes are just one
step further removed:  instead of the government conscripting my labor and
using it for war, I voluntarily trade my labor for money, which the
government then uses for war.  These two situations are morally very similar
in my mind.

I recognize that this decision has consequences. The IRS may seize my money,
and it may be financially burdensome if they seize my bank account or levy
my wages.  There may be other financial difficulties with credit, obtaining
loans, etc.  I voluntarily choose these consequences rather than violating
my conscience.

I also know that it may be emotionally difficult if I am receiving
threatening letters from the IRS or facing financial consequences.  I know
that I have a wonderful community of friends and activists around me, who
will support me as I make this journey.  I have not yet made an official
support committee, and if you would like to support me emotionally and
spiritually in this way, please let me know.

Thank you so much for all your love and support thus far.

Sincerely,
Katherine Fisher
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