Ethical Query

[st.cronin]

I'm wondering about tithing. I attend a local Lutheran Church, and also participate in a Tibetan Buddhist Meditation group. I typically tithe fully at both, but I've recently started wondering if that's appropriate, since I split my spiritual development between the two. Is it ok to tithe 50% at each, instead of the full amount?

This is a serious question, by the way.

[Desnudo]

Does that mean no joking?

[st.cronin]

Does that mean no joking?

I have no problem with jokes if that's all you've got.

[WSUCougar]

Seeing as how you are splitting your spiritual development between two rather divergent religions, I'd say you can interpret the tithing rules however you wish.

[Huckleberry]

My serious answer is that you worry too much about how much you're giving.

Do what you're comfortable with.

[Glengoyne]

I see no problem with the 50% to each decision.

[Mustang]

Do what you are comfortable with.. If one group needs it more than the other, then go 60/40 or 70/30. If either groups has an issue with the amount of money you were donating, I'd seriously take a look at if you want to be associated with said organization..

[st.cronin]

It's more of an academic issue, really. Nobody puts any pressure on me to give anything, to tell the truth, and the issue causes me no stress. I was just curious how people saw it.

[Desnudo]

I have no problem with jokes if that's all you've got.

Knock, knock

[st.cronin]

Knock, knock

who's there

[Drake]

I don't actually give my full tithe to my church anyway. I give a portion to my church and a portion to other social causes I support. Sometimes I'll just bundle my tithe with whatever other cash I've got on hand and give it to someone I know who has a need.

Listen to the Dude Upstairs. He'll tell you what to do.




(Or at least that works for me. But your dad may not live in the apartment upstairs, so YMMV.)

[Desnudo]

who's there

Abbey

[st.cronin]

Abbey who?

[Desnudo]

Abbey stung me on the nose!

http://www.clicksmilies.com/s0105/lachen/laughing-smiley-014.gif

[ice4277]

HAR!!!!!

[MrBigglesworth]

Who's ethical system do you want to use? If you want an objectionists POV, give them each what you think they are worth to you. If you think the services they provide for you are worth $20, give $20. If it is worth $100, give $100.

[Radii]

I have a big problem with any volunteer run organization telling you how much they expect from you. If you feel they provide you a worthwhile service, give them what you feel you can afford and what they deserve. Pay more attention to what you can afford if its a strain, that's my advice at least, but I'm not a churchgoer.

[st.cronin]

I have a big problem with any volunteer run organization telling you how much they expect from you. If you feel they provide you a worthwhile service, give them what you feel you can afford and what they deserve. Pay more attention to what you can afford if its a strain, that's my advice at least, but I'm not a churchgoer.

Neither organization tells me how much they expect. They just put boxes or plates out and if I put something in, they're fine with whatever it is. It was really an academic curiosity. I'm not planning on changing my giving habits.

[Bonegavel]

God doesn't need your money.

[QuikSand]

God doesn't need your money.

So give it all to the Buddhists?

[Bonegavel]

So give it all to the Buddhists?Give it to the Bonegavelists. Address to follow.

[revrew]

Okay, serious answer:

Is tithing a teaching of the Buddhist group? I suspect is isn't.

The "tithe," as I am familiar with it, is a Judeo-Christian teaching (i.e. taught first to people of Jewish faith, later adopted as still normative by orthodox Christianity). The concept behind the tithe is that God has given you every penny from his goodness, and the tithe is a physical reminder (i.e. object lesson) to give thanks and treat every penny (not just the standard 10%) as though it's God's money and not yours. That means, if you recognize a conviction to tithe, then you would owe that money God and are called to give to charities and other organizations ABOVE AND BEYOND a 10% tithe.

In your particular situation, if you consider the Buddhist group to be the biblical God's work, then giving it to a Christian work or a Buddhist work would be equivalent. That, however, is a big "if." You might be inclined to ask, "Would the God who ordained the tithe consider this (Buddhist group) his work?" If not, then you owe the tithe to his work, and anything you give to the Buddhist group would be considered a "charitable offering." That's the route I would recommend, as I would argue that examining Buddhist doctrine would disqualify it from being considered the biblical God's work...but that is something you will need to seek answers to yourself.

To summarize: A tithe is a Judeo-Christian concept of giving back to God what he has given to us. Give your tithe to God.

[st.cronin]

Okay, serious answer:

Is tithing a teaching of the Buddhist group? I suspect is isn't.

The "tithe," as I am familiar with it, is a Judeo-Christian teaching (i.e. taught first to people of Jewish faith, later adopted as still normative by orthodox Christianity). The concept behind the tithe is that God has given you every penny from his goodness, and the tithe is a physical reminder (i.e. object lesson) to give thanks and treat every penny (not just the standard 10%) as though it's God's money and not yours. That means, if you recognize a conviction to tithe, then you would owe that money God and are called to give to charities and other organizations ABOVE AND BEYOND a 10% tithe.

In your particular situation, if you consider the Buddhist group to be the biblical God's work, then giving it to a Christian work or a Buddhist work would be equivalent. That, however, is a big "if." You might be inclined to ask, "Would the God who ordained the tithe consider this (Buddhist group) his work?" If not, then you owe the tithe to his work, and anything you give to the Buddhist group would be considered a "charitable offering." That's the route I would recommend, as I would argue that examining Buddhist doctrine would disqualify it from being considered the biblical God's work...but that is something you will need to seek answers to yourself.

To summarize: A tithe is a Judeo-Christian concept of giving back to God what he has given to us. Give your tithe to God.

I hadn't thought of it that way, exactly. I had considered the money I put in the collection box to be my way of valuing what I recieve.

[Drake]

Rev's answer reads exactly like my father's sermon on tithing. (Yes, my father is a minister.)

[Surtt]

To summarize: A tithe is a Judeo-Christian concept of giving back to God what he has given to us. Give your tithe to God.

I'll just leae it on the table and He can take what he wants.