Letter asking for donations while church shopping - If you're not Christian please skip this thread

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm a non-christian and I read your thread. Booya!

ha ha me too!!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Some churches are like that. I've heard that in order to be a member, Mclean Bible church requires you to tithe AND you have to turn in your W-2 forms to prove you are really giving 15%.

Places that are all about the money need to be skipped.

They need to see your W-2's to prove you are not lying? Wow. Makes me glad to be a non-believer

[Anonymous]

As a Catholic, I am unfamiliar with "church shopping," but as for a response to the letter, I would be honest and charitable. There is such a thing as "Christian rebuke," and as long as you are polite, respectful, and humble, you can share your surprise that a solicitation for funds accompanied his letter of welcome.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:As a Catholic, I am unfamiliar with "church shopping," but as for a response to the letter, I would be honest and charitable. There is such a thing as "Christian rebuke," and as long as you are polite, respectful, and humble, you can share your surprise that a solicitation for funds accompanied his letter of welcome.

OP here and ITA with being polite and humble but let me clarify, these were not welcome letters. They were straight asking for my money mentioning my name, DH's name (he's a non believer) and my kids names!

By church shopping I mean: we're new in the area and looking for a new church so we're visiting different churches every weekend.

[Anonymous]

OP, You see how judgemtal people are here? They missed the point and want to ramble on about other things, like get into a discussion about the bible and religion and other non important details. I think posting your thoughts and reading the responses has just made you even more upset and mad.
The pastor was out of line and that is rude in my opinion. Don't waste your time responding and let it go. Join a church you love and feel comfortable at. There is just so much nonsense in the world. Good Luck to you and your family

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Some churches are like that. I've heard that in order to be a member, Mclean Bible church requires you to tithe AND you have to turn in your W-2 forms to prove you are really giving 15%.

Places that are all about the money need to be skipped.

They need to see your W-2's to prove you are not lying? Wow. Makes me glad to be a non-believer

Wow, seriosly??? That is why I am also a non believer........

[Anonymous]

I work at a church and could easily see how this could happen. Church offices are often run on a shoestring. Sometimes the left hand volunteer doesn't know what the right hand volunteer is doing. It is entirely possible that you got entered into the church database of members (who would get such a fund-raising letter) sooner than you got entered into the newcomers list for getting a welcome letter. It's tacky but not necessarily intentional.

[Anonymous]

Budgets are very tight at churches these days, as you can imagine. I would be hesitant to join a church which asked for a contribution before you even join or really become part of the church family. After you are taking part in the activities, Sunday school, and so forth then I think one should contribute to a church, because the bills sure don't pay themselves. But if a church is talking to you about money upfront, I would keep on looking.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Some churches are like that. I've heard that in order to be a member, Mclean Bible church requires you to tithe AND you have to turn in your W-2 forms to prove you are really giving 15%.

Places that are all about the money need to be skipped.

You've got to be kidding? That is why I don't believe in throwing my hard earned money down the throat of a place that pays a bloated salary to a pastor who has nothing better to do than lecture people. People should pay what they can afford - end of story! You are probably better off supporting the Humane Society anyways.

[Anonymous]

OP,

I hope your husband doesn't read this thread!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP,

I hope your husband doesn't read this thread!

He was right by my side when I wrote it and giggled when I said I was posting about the church letters. What's the problem with the thread?

[Anonymous]

"I'm the daughter of a minister and in every church we've congregated it was always stressed how the financial responsibility should be thrown upon those who are mature in their faith. The new members should be fed and not asked to provide anything. "

Perhaps you told him you are the daughter of a minister and he thought you are mature in your faith?

[Anonymous]

OP,
Is your DH a non-believer?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Some churches are like that. I've heard that in order to be a member, Mclean Bible church requires you to tithe AND you have to turn in your W-2 forms to prove you are really giving 15%.

Places that are all about the money need to be skipped.

They need to see your W-2's to prove you are not lying? Wow. Makes me glad to be a non-believer

Wow, seriosly??? That is why I am also a non believer........

Really?!! So there are millions of churches but your belief system is based on the practices of one! So if you encounter a bad doctor do you never go to any doctor again?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's interesting that you believe that Jews are "non-believers" but at the same time you also somehow believe that Saul and David are a part of your Bible and a part of your religion. How does that work out? How can modern day Jews be "not believing" in any religion but the actual tenets of their faith (like Saul and David) are somehow real and tangible to you? Do you make this up as you go along?

I can answer your question.
Modern day Judaism is as far away from ancient judaism as is modern day cristianity. We are talking about 2 different branches of the same religion. Modern day Jews do not practice ancien judaism. Neither do Americanized Christians of our time.
These are 2 sibling religions, not mother-daughter religions. In one the religion is meant for one tribe, in the other it is meant for all of mankind.
Tribalistic gods were nothing of the ordinary 2000 years ago.