Do you tithe to your church/temple?

[Anonymous]

We give to charity consistently every single year, which includes a donation to the church we attend, in addition to various other places (e.g., food bank). We do not have any fixed percentage to donate to charity. CPA says it is enough for itemizing to be worthwhile.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m curious about synagogue dues, how they’re assessed (or whatever the correct term is). Also, if other churches have specific amounts like this I’d love to hear from you. It sounds more like a “here is what it costs to keep the lights on” amount.

Generally, yes the intent of synagogue dues is to cover costs. At a minimum, this usually includes rent or mortgage, utilities, janitorial, clergy, and other staff, if any. Depending on the needs and wants of the congregation, there may also be events, food and beverage, security, supplementary education, youth and adult activities, and other stuff.

The needs and wants of congregations can vary a lot. Some synagogues have services many times per day, with multiple times available for each of the three daily services. Others may only have services on Shabbat and holidays, or even less often. Some synagogues will put out a lavish spread after Shabbat morning services, serve a light meal Shabbat afternoon, and have a fully stocked coffee station throughout the day, while others will put out only very basic crackers and tuna salad on Shabbat afternoon and nothing else at any other time. Some will offer Hebrew school, others won't. This may depend in part on what proportion of congregants' children attend Jewish day schools. Synagogues that offer more programming will spend more on utilities, janitorial services, staff, supplies, and food.

Synagogues have different approaches to dues. A common model is fixed dues by category (single, couple, family, student, senior citizen, and so on), with discounts available for need. Another model is pay-what-you-want, sometimes with a suggested amount. Some synagogues are entirely funded by voluntary donors and there are no dues, only appeals for donations.

If you search "synagogue dues" on ejewishphilanthropy.com, you will find a lot of discussion and some case studies on this topic.

Thank you for this and to others who have responded on this question so thoughtfully. I find this fascinating and so logical. I've always wondered how churches and temples can survive off of whatever random donations people are inclined to give. What you lay out makes much more sense. As someone who was taught to give 10% to my church (and I've always done that), its interesting to see what other communities ask to "keep the lights on." It honestly makes me feel better about the 10%, like 10% isn't that much more.

[Anonymous]

No.

I’m Catholic and tithing is a Baptist/protestant thing.

[Anonymous]

Heck no. There's an ancient custom from a time where church was the entire government and charity system.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Intellectually this is my big issue with the LDS/Mormon church (of which I have a lot of history). It's required. The bishops know exactly how much you make (you meet with the bishop (a layperson) at least two times a year. It is required to be a Mormon in good standing. So you can get the perks of being a Mormon.

I don't recall ever being in a congregation that did that. Once a year has been the norm I have experienced. I'm early 40s.

With sites like glass door and government employee salaries being public a whole lot of people have been able to know the salaries of a lot of other people for quite a long while.

Most protestant churches don't. There is biblical language about 10% which cults and the mormons use to their advantage. I've been in every type or protestant church and it has never been mentioned.

Tithing is a constant during the pledge campaign at our mainline, politically progressive Episcopal church. In a meeting where it was pointed out that tithing is essentially a flat tax, the rector said, "It's in the Bible." Someone else said "With all due respect, there's a lot of crazy stuff in the Bible." No response from the rector.

Does your rector follow the whole Bible? Doubt.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The Jewish concept of a tithing obligation is to give a tenth or more of one's income to charity. That is typically understood to include not only official "charities," but also individual poor people whom one wishes to help. It is not focused in any way on the synagogue specifically.

Synagogue dues are common, and that is a separate concept. Depending on the exact circumstances, synagogue dues and donations may count towards the above tithing obligation.

OMG it's not Jewish. Many protestants to Leviticus 27:30 where it says “A tenth of the produce of the land, whether grain or fruit, is the Lord's, and is holy.” And Proverbs 3:9 (NIV) says, “Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the first fruits of all your crops.” It's critical to recognize that tithing was central to God's law.

I'm pretty sure this poster was not claiming tithing is exclusively a Jewish concept, but rather addressing how it's interpreted among Jews, i.e., what the Jewish concept of it is.

It's not exclusive, but It's Jewish. Leviticus is a Jewish book. If Protestants like it too, that's great.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m curious about synagogue dues, how they’re assessed (or whatever the correct term is). Also, if other churches have specific amounts like this I’d love to hear from you. It sounds more like a “here is what it costs to keep the lights on” amount.

Generally, yes the intent of synagogue dues is to cover costs. At a minimum, this usually includes rent or mortgage, utilities, janitorial, clergy, and other staff, if any. Depending on the needs and wants of the congregation, there may also be events, food and beverage, security, supplementary education, youth and adult activities, and other stuff.

The needs and wants of congregations can vary a lot. Some synagogues have services many times per day, with multiple times available for each of the three daily services. Others may only have services on Shabbat and holidays, or even less often. Some synagogues will put out a lavish spread after Shabbat morning services, serve a light meal Shabbat afternoon, and have a fully stocked coffee station throughout the day, while others will put out only very basic crackers and tuna salad on Shabbat afternoon and nothing else at any other time. Some will offer Hebrew school, others won't. This may depend in part on what proportion of congregants' children attend Jewish day schools. Synagogues that offer more programming will spend more on utilities, janitorial services, staff, supplies, and food.

Synagogues have different approaches to dues. A common model is fixed dues by category (single, couple, family, student, senior citizen, and so on), with discounts available for need. Another model is pay-what-you-want, sometimes with a suggested amount. Some synagogues are entirely funded by voluntary donors and there are no dues, only appeals for donations.

If you search "synagogue dues" on ejewishphilanthropy.com, you will find a lot of discussion and some case studies on this topic.

Dues are also a tax dodge.
They are optional in a complicated way, but some related services are only available or are discounted for members, yet dues are still tax deductible.

[Anonymous]

Jewish "Fair Share" dues are usually 1-2.5% but not formallt verified by evidence. It's a big charade around trying to guilt everyone for whatever they can get, like tipping at restaurants.

[Anonymous]

Later in life Christian here. I’m well aware of the tithing concept and like to think that time given in support of direct needs of the poor must count, too. If my small church pulls my giving statement it will be blank but for decades while SAHM I ran and continue to run a charity my church supports.

I’ve donated thousands of hours and goods. More than 10 percent of my time. So yes, I tithe.

[Anonymous]

Catholic here. I’ve never heard an ask for 10%. We are active members and our kids attend Catholic schools. We give about 2% split fairly evenly between the Church and the schools on top of tuition at the schools.

[Anonymous]

I love it give to the Catholic Church your money goes to protect child abuse
Give to evangelicals money goes to dumbasses who also weekly abuse kids google it
Give to mega churches like ornstein he has a private plane lives in a how many million $ house his shoes alone are more than most of them spend on food

Mormons who send young girls door to door spreading* the word if a community where women are not equal to men and have to pay to enter a house of god

Jews at least reform and conservative don’t tithe. They have payment plans. Orthodox would fall with evangelicals

Please by all means it’s a free country til 2025 then all your money will be going to your illustrious King Don the Con. Then there will be a central church for thithing yep he said so in IOWA

[Anonymous]

I donate a small amount of money per month, but a large amount of my time teaching Sunday School and serving on committees.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Intellectually this is my big issue with the LDS/Mormon church (of which I have a lot of history). It's required. The bishops know exactly how much you make (you meet with the bishop (a layperson) at least two times a year. It is required to be a Mormon in good standing. So you can get the perks of being a Mormon.

And what perks are these?

Oh, very clear if you are LDS. You need clearance to get a temple admit. (a physical card, although that may have evolved). you cannot get temple admit without giving 10% and being a Mormon in good standing (which means the obvious: no tobacco; no alcohol, no sex before marriage, etc.). It's called a "temple recommend". you carry it in your wallet. It's a huge social disgrace in that community if you don't have a temple recommend.

you also can't get married in the temple without it. My niece couldn't get it becaue DH had married before and lied to her about it.

Nontemple marriages are not recognized.

happy to answer any questions.

The income is self reported to the bishop, so there is wiggle room as far as before or after tax. They don’t check your tax return.

A non-temple marriage is recognized, but they aren’t sealed for eternity. People without recommends can’t enter the temple for marriage sealings.

[Anonymous]

Our family gives around $2k to our church, which is less than 1% of our income.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Catholic here. I’ve never heard an ask for 10%. We are active members and our kids attend Catholic schools. We give about 2% split fairly evenly between the Church and the schools on top of tuition at the schools.

That’s because Catholics believe in a less literal interpretation of the Bible than other fundamentalist denominations.

There’s a lot of other anachronistic practices in the Old Testament, too, but I don’t hear Jimmy Swaggart calling out for those.