Do you tithe to your church/temple?

[Anonymous]

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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.

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Good for you/your church. That's the way it should be. I never went to church growing up and all this tithing/donation is hearsay to me. Just based on the posts on this forum, you can see for yourself how much people are 'forced' to give.

I see the people being "forced" to give are LDS and Jewish.

No Jews are never forced to pay that is ridiculous. When Jews can not afford a synagogue or temple there are fund for their family to still be a member or even go to different ones weekly and never pay. Yes Jews pay for religious school for their kids if you can not afford it every place has funds for those families that are having a hard time.

Mormons on the other hand money money money.

[Anonymous]

I'd like to attempt to clarify how tithing is approached in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (commonly known as Mormons). The following is based on my personal experience. Hopefully I don't cause more confusion or add inaccuracies.

Tithing is 10% of income. People will discuss whether this should be pre or post taxes. There are some other smaller discussions but those are the main ones I am aware of. I expect different people do this differently. Members meet with bishops once a year to say whether or not they have paid a full tithing. This is 100% self reporting. There is no verification. This brief meeting is also a chance for the bishop to check in with members and ask if there is anything they need help with.

One nice thing about tithing being a percentage of income is that the amount expected fluctuates with your financial circumstances. I've had times (mostly as a student) with no income and I paid nothing. My parents had periods of unemployment and under employment, and the amount they paid fluctuated accordingly ($0 when unemployed, obviously). Ability to fully participate in any church activities never changed.

If a person decided they didn't want to pay tithing, the only activity I am aware of that they could not fully participate in is going inside the temple. From a practical perspective, that would only come up after an extended period as recommends (the card to attend the temple) are renewed every two years. I've paid tithing any time I've had income and have consistently had a temple recommend but it has been years since I have chosen to go inside a temple (busy, young kids, and the temple is pretty time consuming). From my perspective not going to the temple isn't the big exclusion some on this board seem to feel it is.

Even if you don't pay tithing you could still attend and fully participate in weekly church services, including the children and youth classes on Sunday, and congregational activities for children, youth, and adults. There are also activities where multiple congregations combine. Congressional and multi-congressional activities often include things like sports, summer camp, service projects, and social events. Regardless of whether you pay any tithing, you are welcome to participate. There are no additional fees for these things.

The above is my experience and perspective. I've been a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints my whole life.