I just received a sum of money for some work I've done. Now, I want to tythe it in accordance to my religion (Christian). Problem is, Im not a member of any particular church, and I attend two different churches. One I attend weekly, the other on a sporadic basis. Problem is, the one I visit alot is run by an alleged criminal known for taking money from his churches and bolting. I dont want to give him money, yet, I cannot attend the other one very often, due to travel constraints. Im very torn on this, as I dont know whether to wait for the oppurtunity to give to the church run by a legitimate body? Or do I give to the church in question, believing that any donation to any church is acceptable in God's eyes?

trust God. His spirit will guide you.

[This message has been edited by xtreem5150ahm (edited 07-26-2004).]

Sure, the pope always needs a new ass-scratcher! http://www.totse.com/bbs/biggrin.gif (http://www.totse.com/bbs/biggrin.gif)

My church would be glad to accept a donation.

Go give it to a homeless guy. Skip the middleman and go straight to the source. The Christian God will thank you.

quote:Originally posted by The_Rabbi:

Go give it to a homeless guy. Skip the middleman and go straight to the source. The Christian God will thank you.

Excellent suggestion.

don't give it to a corrupt church. Just wait till you go to the other one.

quote:Originally posted by Zman:

don't give it to a corrupt church. Just wait till you go to the other one.

See, that's where I get confused. The church itself isnt corrupt, just the man at the very top, still, I think ima give it to the other one.

quote:Originally posted by paintballa:

Originally posted by Zman:

don't give it to a corrupt church. Just wait till you go to the other one.

See, that's where I get confused. The church itself isnt corrupt, just the man at the very top, still, I think ima give it to the other one.



well, if your money isn't going where it should, you shouldn't give it to them

Send it to:

The Denali Center for Holistic Health and Personal Growth

HC 89, Box 451

Willow, Alaska 99688

A 501 (c) 3 non-profit corporation.

heres your first problem, you think that tything should be monetary. True christian tything, as in what jesus wants, is for you to get off your ass and physically do something, that is tenfold more important to god than you just giving money.

quote:Originally posted by aTribeCalledSean:

heres your first problem, you think that tything should be monetary. True christian tything, as in what jesus wants, is for you to get off your ass and physically do something, that is tenfold more important to god than you just giving money.

That's old-fashioned. Money = action. Money is exchanged for goods and services. If I earn money, by working, and then give that money to somebody else in the hopes that it gives assistance to those who need it, I am giving assistance to those who need it.

It's exactly the same.

EDIT: That being said, give the money to whichever church has less money. If the guy at the top of the poorer one is corrupt, give it to a third church (or a non-religious aid organization). That's the only way to go.

[This message has been edited by deptstoremook (edited 08-05-2004).]

It's not exactly the same, it's like making a meal for somebody or ordering takeout.

Remember the butterfly and the hurricane?

I would say intent is the most important thing.. if not is some vague metaphysical way, just in human functioning, if your doing something for personal reward, your coloured by that, as are your actions, even the minutest biological function, this is of course very difficult to remove fully from any action, if if can be done at all. But if your more switched on to acctualy helping the person, sitiuation, for the benifit of others, taking care of them, before yourself, then your actions will fully show this. You might be able to give a smile that is realy genuine, that CAN change a persons life for the better, rather than showing that hint of pity, and your own wish to be somewhere else(realy) or whatever.

Don't want to be soppy with the smile, I mean any action that you can preform because of you state of mind in truly giving yourself, the thing that you would miss otherwise because your elsewhere, this is why giving yourself and not just your money is important. one of the reasons.

I just see only giving money as a lazy ass way of christian service.

quote:Originally posted by aTribeCalledSean:

heres your first problem, you think that tything should be monetary. True christian tything, as in what jesus wants, is for you to get off your ass and physically do something, that is tenfold more important to god than you just giving money.

That is a very good call. Throwing money at a problem doesn't fix it.

On the issue of tithing, theres no real support for it for christians- if your church wants you to tithe refer them to Galatians 5. It's exactly the same as all the OT ceremonial law, like circumscion- if you obey one, you've got to start obeying them all. Don't get me wrong- giving is still very important, in fact more important, as we are supposed to share everything we have- give as you feel motivated, or as the need requires.

So don't beat yourself up over it.

As someone else said, give to some good cause- take someone that doesn't like you, or you don't get along with out to dinner or something.

I'm not christian in most peoples terms, but I'm glad you pointed out Galatians. One of my favorite verses is Galatians 6 verse 3.

"Bare ye one anothers burdens, and so fufill the law of Christ".

I try to do whatever I can to help my fellow human being out.

That is how I live my life, I live my life as a christian should, at least I try, but I don't get caught up in the dogma and ceremony. I may be wrong in most christians eyes, and will probably get a response from Digital Savior, but I believe this is what God wants, and I will be saved. I think all people who live with love and compassion for themselves and others will be saved.

^ yeah in some ways I kind of agree with you, we were talking about this at a bible study last thursday.

I think that christian salvation doctrine has become increasingly narrrow. What I mean is that the things that Jesus talked about as indicating those who would be saved is very different to the salvation doctrine that has been built up around it. I still think that it is by grace through faith expressed in actions, however I think that the whole thing can be a bit smaller than it really is.

i.e. It will be interesting to see where Ghandi ends up compared to George W.