Why govt. shouldn’t tax church Ministers
Dear Editor,
The Question is: Should the independent government of Samoa tax religious Ministers or Faafeagaiga a nu’u ma afioaga o Samoa?
My Answer Is NO !
Why? Because of four reasons based on Samoa Matai Culture Principles which I profess herein:
1. A Matai is the Ositaulaga of the Extended Family, that elected, chosen, and appointed him/her as a Matai; and among other urgent duties, are to lead the Extended Family in every early Evening and early Morning Prayers of Thanksgiving to the Living God of Samoa in Daily Family Worship; and in the Matai Council Village, Worship to the Same Living God of Samoa, in collectively conducting the Ava Ceremony, as the Official Opening and Closing Worship, of every Fono a Matai , or the Village Council of Matai, throughout Samoa, from time immemorial.
2. Everything in our World is of The living God of Samoa and All Countries of our Whole World.
3. The Modern Matai Government of the Independent State of Samoa, is Founded on the Everlasting Loving and Living
God of Samoa, and the Whole World.
4. Matai, as Ositaulaga; and Religious Ministers, as Faafegaiga (of Different Christian Churches Denominations in Villages of Samoa) are exempted from paying tax, under the Samoa Constitution, because all necessities for their upkeep: be them in money, goods and services are all freely rendered, in accordance to Samoan Customs and Usage.
Hence, the very reasons why Sua, Tofa, Lafo, Inati, Alofa, Peleti, Tausiga, Pasese, etc., in terms of Money, Fine Mats, Siapo, Vala, Goods and Services to Matai who are also Ositaulga, and to Religious Ministers as Faafeagaiga, of Nuu ma Afioaga of Matai of Samoa, are customarily rendered as Taulaga Osi, or Services rendered as TAUTUA, and are exempted as income earnings that are Taxable , in accordance to the Constitution, and present laws, of our Independent State of Samoa.
In short, if Matai: Sua, Tofa, and Lafo, are not Taxable Incomes, in accordance to Customs and Usages of the Samoans now; why are Alofa and Peleti of Religious Ministers, who are Faa-Feagaiga of Samoa Matai Village Councils, to be taxed as income, if the proposed law is passed by Matai of the Samoa Parliament, including the Head of State! What is the reason for panic, and what emergency is upon Samoa now! and why is the H.R.P.P. Cabinet taking this drastic step now!.
THE FINAL QUESTION IS: ARE THERE NO MORE PSALMS IN GILIAD? The Samoans live and die in Expressing, Glorifying, and Worshiping their LOVING LIVING GOD OF ABUNDANCE: God The Father, The Son, and The Holy Spirit, TAGA LOA LAGI: and NEVER, the dead god of SCARCITY!
Soifua ma Ia Manuia: Le Malo Tutoatasi Faamatai ma Filemu Moni , o Samoa, e Tasi ae Afe!
Le Tagaloa Dr. Pitapola J. Ala’ilima
O le Matua o Faiva Faiaoga i Mataupu Faa Samoa; o Le Tamaoiga Faamatai; ma Le Fatuaiga Faamaketi Fou: I Le Iunivesite o le Amosa o Savavau, Vaitele, Faleata.