(AP) — A Nebraska senator who once sued God is joining this year’s tax-reform debate with an idea of his own: a tax on church property.
The Legislature’s Revenue Committee will review a bill Friday that would eliminate a state property-tax exemption for religious organizations.
Sen. Ernie Chambers will argue that his bill carries out what Jesus urged his followers to do. Chambers says Jesus encouraged his followers to “Render unto Caesar what is Caesar’s,” when asked whether taxes should be paid.
Chambers, an atheist, famously sued in God in 2007 to make the point that anybody can file a lawsuit against anybody. The measure is unlikely to advance out of committee. But Chambers says he may attach it as an amendment to other bills he opposes.