Do you tithe to your church/temple?

[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'.

[Anonymous]

I attend an Episcopal Church. I tithe but it’s not 10% of my income.
We are asked the pledge an amount every year but the amount is up to us, it’s not questioned it just helps them budget.
We are also told that giving our time is part of tithing too. Someone may not be able to help financially but if they help in the Sunday school weekly or take on another ministry that is a donation of your time.
Donating to charities outside Church is welcome too, I support animal charities in addition to the Church, it all counts.

[Anonymous]

I gave around $2000 to my church last year, which is less than 1% of our income. I plan to give 1% this year. Like a PP above, I also view volunteering as a form of giving. If I were not financially comfortable I would probably just volunteer more.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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'.

My church hasn't been around forever and doesn't own its building. Giving is still voluntary, and we are not manipulated into giving. I grew up in a different protestant denomination, and I never experienced whatever you're talking about.

[Anonymous]

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.

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.

I was on the board of my synagogue and we accessed dues to maintain our building, pay our clergy and office staff and support programs

[Anonymous]

I'm a Catholic. When I go to a service, I give them something like $5 or $10. That's it!