It doesn't matter what any of us think. Statutes determine what is criminal and what is not.
I pay my taxes. I think everyone else, including "Doctor Dino" should pay theirs as well.
Is it better to lie or stay silent?
Is it better to repeat a lie or stay silent?
Hovind didn't cheat on taxes or fail to pay them:
He paid the people who worked for him and they paid their own taxes.
He did refuse to be an agent for the IRS to collect and pay the taxes for them. Actually, on what bases in the constitution is the employer required to withhold taxes from the wages of an employee? Actually, on what constitutional bases is there for conscripting to service the accounting of an employer to act as the broker between the IRS and an employee without compensation? Is the church under the government of God and his leadership or is the church under the secular government? Who established the church and paid for it with his own blood? To whom does the church and its ministry belong? By what right does law have to tax the work of God or require government service of his ministers?
Jesus rebuked Peter for his answer to officials who asked if Jesus paid taxes..... yet he did pay them..... BUT me thinks his rebuke clearly shows his position but he would not be tempted by this situation from creating a detour from his limited time to complete his ministry and calling to be our savior.
Hovind can give the perception of an air of arrogance and condenscension but I'm not as sure that this perception is real or the consequence of the lack of boldness and confidence so lacking (and discouraged) in genuine Christianity and intolerated and ridiculed by the world as an accusation. Those outside the faith or who live on the borders of serving two masters certainly aren't lacking in their boldness in those who go against the gospel as they would write it or the science as they would teach it or the telling of lies and acting like all is truth. The laws which were used to prosecute Hovind were laws enacted for discovering money laundering by criminal activity such as drug dealing, selling stolen goods or buying and selling other contraband such as weapons ........ the banking disclosure laws which opens all legitimate accounts of money to suspicion if we withdraw too much cash from our own valid account or decide to keep our wealth at home and it exceeds a certain amount or are found traveling with 'too much cash' which is tapped out at $10,000. Now, where is it illegal or criminal under the constitution to be in possession of that cash which one owns and has legitimately earned.... even if it exceeds $10,000? The proof of criminal violation should not be the possession or withdrawal of ones own property but the cause by which it is acquired or used.... none of which were apparent in his case.
(Regarding Hovind's vp regarding creationism..... yes, there are some disputes between his interpretation of science and those of others who are also in the 'In the beginning God created' camp... but, I think, none of these involve the Bible's position, but the areas and correct applications of science.)
None of the public tabloids..... not even the local papers here, gave Hovind a fair representation so I'm not surprised that others more distant from the accusations and trials are persuaded that Hovind is a criminal. I'm sure the devil and the evolutionists are pleased that a great shadow was cast on another Christian's reputation, credibility, and an enemy to their humanistic causes!
