Religion
By jhoannapena
@jhoannapena (342)
Philippines
July 21, 2007 12:37am CST
Normally, I don't make any comment nor discuss religion. This is out of respect for other peoples belief.
This time, I would like to take an exception, but I will not reveal the religion out of respect for peoples belief and congregation (if that is what they are called).
I was talking with my housekeeper and by chance we got to talk about her religious belief, their place of worship the normal practice for donations is upon entering the place of worship, one to one donation and there is another one. I told her if your only earning a small income how will you manage to pay all your bills if you have to give at least 10% of your income to your religion?
What surprised me is that it is mandatory for them to give donation according to them its for the maintenance of their place of worship.
My question is this religion worth worshiping? Don't you think that getting money from its worshipers a good practice?
1 person likes this
3 responses
@herrbaggs (1308)
• United States
22 Jul 07
The reason religion was created and maintains it position is the collection plate, with out the collection plate all religions would fold. Which came first religion or the collection plate?
1 person likes this
@WhatsHerName (2716)
• United States
22 Jul 07
I was thinking of you and your obsession of the collection plate the other day when I cleaned the church. I put $1.00 bill in each plate at the alter and told Jesus it was from you.
By the way, you owe me $2.00.
1 person likes this
@jhoannapena (342)
• Philippines
22 Jul 07
Like I said I do not object on the donation, what I do object is making it mandatory and putting a percentage on the donation.
For me its like taking advantage of one's belief and position in order to earn. In one place of worship you may have at least 100 to 200 families as member imagine the amount of donation if one family is giving lets say $20-$50 multiply that to 100 families that is $2,000 in one day of service. To some families $20 represent one meal a day and for them its already a sacrifice and they make this sacrifice because they want to show their faith in their chosen religion.
I am not saying all religions are like this, I guess I just need to address this for those people who need a voice and for those people who use religion to earn a living.
@WhatsHerName (2716)
• United States
22 Jul 07
I wouldn't got to a church that made it mandatory to tithe. I only give a dollar or two, lol, once I gave .25 cents (It's all I had) and another time I didn't give anything because I forgot to bring money.
I feel you should give what you can and give from your heart.
Churches are supposed to give love, and help to people not drain them so the leader can drive fancy cars and have expensive things.
If you don't want to donate money you can donate time, I know a lot of churches are in need of people to help with cleaning, upkeep and planning projects.
1 person likes this
@jhoannapena (342)
• Philippines
22 Jul 07
Very, very, very true. Now that to me is honest to goodness religion.
@gswilk61 (16)
• Canada
21 Jul 07
Well, based on my beliefs, which is of the mormon faith. We consider it a commandment of God to give give a tenth of our gross income, which is called tithing.
This money goes directly to building temples, food distribution centres, disaster relief agencies, education and the like. None of this money as far as I know goes into the pockets of our clergy, which by the way are not supported financially by members of the church, they earn thier income with the thier own labours.
No member of our church is forced to pay tithing, but we believe that if we pay a full tithing the Lord promises full blessings, both temporal and spiritual.
I have experienced that myself.
@sneese (95)
• United States
21 Jul 07
Tithing is a common practice within all Christian faiths as far as I know. I am Catholic, and although it isn't talked about much, it is still a belief of our faith. I know many Protestant religions preach tithing on a regular basis. Tithing stems from the Old Testament, where the Hebrews were instructed to give the first fruits of all they were given by God. We know that this included the first born males of all of their livestock (Which were given to the Priests at the Temple- for their support) and even their firstborn sons, which they redeemed by offering a certain prescribed animal in their son's place.
Tithing is an act of faith, hope, and charity.
Faith in that we are stepping out on faith that if we give God what is his share of what he has blessed us with, then we will be rewarded with an even greater abundance. Everyone that I know that tithes faithfully always have more than enough .
Hope, because we are giving hope to others through our giving to the Church by funding their outreaches and programs. Hope to ourselves that we can make a difference.
Charity, well I guess that one speaks for itself, but by showing charity (love) we are teaching ourselves and our children that it isn't all about "me". That their are others out there that really need our help.
Didn't mean to get up on the soapbox. Just wanted to help.
@jhoannapena (342)
• Philippines
22 Jul 07
Thank you for your responses, I have to problems with donations, what I do reject is the idea of making donations mandatory and setting a certain percentage on the donations.
Let's be honest if its going to be mandatory what about the needs of the family who are earning measly income. If the person cannot accommodate the percentage donation does that mean that particular person should not be welcome from the place of worship? should that person be given the evil eye because this is the only amount he can donate?
