Consider how much you pay in taxes, which goes to finance the greater good. I consider throwing 25%+ of my income to community services, infastructure, government salaries educational and welfare programs to be very generous. Especially because the government doesnt discriminate on who is eligible for these benefits based on whether one believes in Jesus or the Easter bunny or Satan.

Just be the best person you can. If there is a God, this is what will matter in the end. One can donate all of the money in the world and still be a terrible selfish person.

Anonymous wrote:As a Jew, I find this thread very interesting, because we have the pay to pray model. Weird, since our culture is so associated with guilt; you'd think the rabbis could just guilt us into giving into a weekly basket or a tithe situation. I'm particularly fascinated by the Mormon approach, going for a check up in December ensuring that you have tithed. I have learned so much. Thanks to all for your perspectives - the Jews are always handwringing about the membership dues and the ticket to high holy day services, but it seems like no one is 100% happy with how they support their religious institutions.

The Germans and the German Catholic Church cut right to the chase:
German Church Tax
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Church_tax#Germany
About 70% of church revenues come from the church tax - including about $6.3 billion to the Catholic Church. The church tax is 8%-9% of your income tax, which works about to about 2% of one's income and it goes to the church that you identify on your tax forms.

The fun started when the courts decided you could avoid paying the church tax by telling the government that you had quit your church. As a matter of freedom, you could still attend. The Catholic bishops responded with the edict that "a member who refuses to pay taxes will no longer be allowed to receive communion or make confession, to serve as godparents or to hold any office in the church. Those who leave can also be refused a Christian burial, unless they “give some sign of repentance.”

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/10/06/world/europe/german-church-ties-tax-to-sacraments-after-court-ruling.html?pagewanted=all

As usual, I our system better.

Face it, religion is a business.
Hatch, match and dipatch has never been costlier

Suze Orman would scold you for even considering this. Pay off your debt, and you will be able to give much more to the church

Anonymous wrote:As a Jew, I find this thread very interesting, because we have the pay to pray model. Weird, since our culture is so associated with guilt; you'd think the rabbis could just guilt us into giving into a weekly basket or a tithe situation. I'm particularly fascinated by the Mormon approach, going for a check up in December ensuring that you have tithed. I have learned so much. Thanks to all for your perspectives - the Jews are always handwringing about the membership dues and the ticket to high holy day services, but it seems like no one is 100% happy with how they support their religious institutions.

I am Jewish too and I pay synagogue dues but they are certainly not compulsory. There are many people who attend services weekly who never pay dues and while members of the Board might know who they are, no one in the general community knows, so there isnt really a shame/guilt that accompanies refusal to pay.

While seats at high holidays are the only time payment is specifically required, many people come and stand in the back or take an unused chair (often extra chairs are set up for those who havent paid).

You pay for things you want or need. I want the synagogue to be there, so I have to support it year-round, even if I only need it sporadically.

As a Jew, I find this thread very interesting, because we have the pay to pray model. Weird, since our culture is so associated with guilt; you'd think the rabbis could just guilt us into giving into a weekly basket or a tithe situation. I'm particularly fascinated by the Mormon approach, going for a check up in December ensuring that you have tithed. I have learned so much. Thanks to all for your perspectives - the Jews are always handwringing about the membership dues and the ticket to high holy day services, but it seems like no one is 100% happy with how they support their religious institutions.

Anonymous wrote:[quote=Anonymous

Then the church can find other ways of making money AND (in the case of the Catholic Church, of which I'm a member and comfortable with that, as previously stated) they can ensure their hard-won money doesn't go toward law suits to protect child pervs.

Your ridiculously off-topic child abuse scandal comment aside, what other ways would you expect a church to make the money required to keep the lights on?