How do churches and temples make money?

Dear Scheng1, hello; how are you? I can tell about temples....there are many ways to earn money apart from the "donation boxes," and they are as follows: 1. We offer coconuts, and many other things to our God, which are again sent to the shopkeepers nearby temples who purchase them at a low cost from the temple -- a kind of recycling. 2. They have special arrangements for "VIP visitors or "Bhaktas" for their worship which is, although, useless but still in practice. 3. They offer special rituals for any and all kinds of problem for which they charge "special" amount. 4. In some temples, there are ritual of offering oil to God. This oil is also recycled to the market which brings money to the temples. 5. There are some followers or "Bhaktas" who donate money or precious metals without telling their name. 6. Some temples have special arrangements like accommodation, canteen, etc. which has a higher price (but this is not very common practice). To sum up, temples are earning a great deal of money without paying any taxes, and the money the priest is earning is beyond our calculation at some places. In my native place, Mathura, UP, there is tender system to the the priest-ship of a temple. People use to bid to get it, and when they get it, the profit goes to their pocket...it's like a business there...

The temple that I go to have a shop that sell prayer cassettes, bookmarks, wallhangings and cds. My aunt bought some cassettes for her car so that she could hear prayers while driving and I have some wallhangings that have some prayers on it for my room. The temple charges a moderate amount for these items but since it's only to sustain themselves, we always want to buy something to help out.

Every person who comes to church offerings. Each offering will be gathered into the church treasury. Cash is usually used for the expansion of religious activities and to be donated to orphanages and children can not afford to hire officers and the church is taken from the church treasury. I do not know for sure how the temple got the money, but it has certainly had enough funds to support their religious activities.

The Churches in Singapore do collect money from their fellow mates. From what I know, it's 10% of their monthly salary. That's why churches are rich and are able to expand... 10% is a lot ... Temples make money mainly from donations. :]

I think they get earnings from the people who donates money or in kind to them. Everyday there are masses so they will never lose money. Every masses there is also money. They get it straight from donation.

Only one thing is coming in my mind,i think they get money from donations. Every mass many people is giving donation and this donation is very helpful to church. Church is also sending donation in kids that don't have enough budget for their education like my classmate. Church sending her check that she will give on school for her to enroll her self. Church also help a lot of orphanages.

All religious places earn their living by selling religion. I know about temples, they thrive on: Daily donations and also hefty donations on auspicious occasions. Selling the daily prasad or offering to God to the followers Conducting special pujas for devotees against high sum of money Conducting marriages Conducting various other ceremonies which are more costly if conducted at home.