Do you tithe to your church/temple?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Not sure this is true. There are discounts for things like religious school and preschool or community meals at my synagogue for members, but anyone can access them. Other things have no requirement for membership at all. Why should the dues not be tax deductible just because they bring a discount, though? It's still a donation to a nonprofit organization.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

DP. Our Conservative synagogue runs an excellent religious school (Sundays and 2 hour sessions on some weekday afternoons) and tuition is separate from dues. It’s slightly discounted for synagogue members but it’s still pricey. About $1100 per kid. On top of almost 4k for a combo of dues and building assessments which are separate. So we paid about 6k this year. It’s a LOT of money. We can budget for it and we do, but objectively it is a lot and many people drop their membership after their kids have their bar mitzvahs. You don’t have to pay just to attend services. Though if you’re not a member you do have to pay for High Holiday services which are the most widely attended in the Jewish year.

It can be cyclical, what one needs. My parents dropped their membership after the last kid had her bat mitzvah and only attended for High Holidays for many years. Then they joined again in retirement, finding they wanted to attend services, feel part of the congregation, and take advantage of all the social and learning opportunities a large synagogue provides beyond just worship.

[Anonymous]

Heck no. Those freeloading tax dodgers dont need my hard earned money.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: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.

We give 2% as recommended by our temple for dues. We give a total of 10% of gross income in donations to various nonprofits, so dues are one fifth of our total giving.

[Anonymous]

As a mostly non practicing Catholic I do not. I do contribute $2k to a couple of churches. We do contribute 10% of our income to charity.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: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.

Or it's an attempt to pay for the congregation's costs and for staff salaries without overburdening members who can't afford to give as much?

[Anonymous]

I like the idea of dues (or at least expected donation amounts per family, etc.); our church just asks for pledges with no guidance and then it's a scramble every year to balance the budget, go back to the congregation to ask for more if they can't cover expected costs, etc. It always works out but seems that some more direct communication/asks could improve the process. (With the obvious caveats that people could ask for fee reductions, charitable coverage, etc.)

[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.

Seems like there may be other issues the church (and everyone else) may be concerned about . . .

[Anonymous]

We give a couple bucks every month. But otherwise I'm not paying for the catholic church to protect child rapists and pay out millions in insurance and settlements. We give plenty to other charities.

[Anonymous]

I've noticed a lot of Hindu temples popping up all over the DMV and most look pretty grand too.. Asked a Hindu friend if they have the concept of tithing and he said no, all contributions are voluntary! Imagine being able to buy property at current prices and build all these beautiful temples while raising funds without having to resort to arm-twisting or emotional blackmail! Impressive!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We give a couple bucks every month. But otherwise I'm not paying for the catholic church to protect child rapists and pay out millions in insurance and settlements. We give plenty to other charities.

Why give at all if you think that's where your money's going?

[Anonymous]

Yes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I've noticed a lot of Hindu temples popping up all over the DMV and most look pretty grand too.. Asked a Hindu friend if they have the concept of tithing and he said no, all contributions are voluntary! Imagine being able to buy property at current prices and build all these beautiful temples while raising funds without having to resort to arm-twisting or emotional blackmail! Impressive!

I don't have to imagine. It's like going to my Anglican church, where giving is entirely voluntary. Or going to church with the other posters in this thread, the majority of whom have said they attend but don't tithe.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We give a couple bucks every month. But otherwise I'm not paying for the catholic church to protect child rapists and pay out millions in insurance and settlements. We give plenty to other charities.

Why give at all if you think that's where your money's going?

I pay my share to keep the lights on and the maintenance man paid. The church say how much it costs and I divide it by the number of families. Keeps my conscious clean.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I've noticed a lot of Hindu temples popping up all over the DMV and most look pretty grand too.. Asked a Hindu friend if they have the concept of tithing and he said no, all contributions are voluntary! Imagine being able to buy property at current prices and build all these beautiful temples while raising funds without having to resort to arm-twisting or emotional blackmail! Impressive!

I don't have to imagine. It's like going to my Anglican church, where giving is entirely voluntary. Or going to church with the other posters in this thread, the majority of whom have said they attend but don't tithe.

Of course, but a lot of those churches have been around forever, likely having acquired property at dirt-cheap prices. They also have a larger base to depend on. Anyways, not trying to put down anyone. Just an observation as an atheist who finds these things 'interesting'.