Ethical Query

st.cronin · 05-12-2005, 03:41 PM

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 · 05-12-2005, 03:44 PM

Does that mean no joking?

st.cronin · 05-12-2005, 03:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Desnudo

Does that mean no joking?

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

WSUCougar · 05-12-2005, 03:46 PM

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 · 05-12-2005, 03:46 PM

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

Do what you're comfortable with.

Glengoyne · 05-12-2005, 03:46 PM

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

Mustang · 05-12-2005, 03:51 PM

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 · 05-12-2005, 03:53 PM

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 · 05-12-2005, 04:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by st.cronin

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

Knock, knock

st.cronin · 05-12-2005, 04:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Desnudo

Knock, knock

who's there

Drake · 05-12-2005, 04:43 PM

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 · 05-12-2005, 04:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by st.cronin

who's there

Abbey

st.cronin · 05-12-2005, 04:51 PM

Abbey who?

Desnudo · 05-12-2005, 05:03 PM

Abbey stung me on the nose!

ice4277 · 05-12-2005, 05:11 PM

HAR!!!!!

MrBigglesworth · 05-12-2005, 05:35 PM

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 · 05-12-2005, 05:38 PM

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 · 05-12-2005, 05:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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.

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 · 05-13-2005, 08:18 AM

God doesn't need your money.

QuikSand · 05-13-2005, 08:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bonegavel

God doesn't need your money.

So give it all to the Buddhists?

Bonegavel · 05-13-2005, 08:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by QuikSand

So give it all to the Buddhists?

Give it to the Bonegavelists. Address to follow.

revrew · 05-13-2005, 10:52 AM

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 · 05-13-2005, 10:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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.

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 · 05-13-2005, 01:44 PM

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

Surtt · 05-13-2005, 01:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by revrew

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.

05-12-2005, 03:46 PM	#4
WSUCougar Rider Of Rohan Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Port Angeles, WA or Helm's Deep	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. __________________ It's not the years...it's the mileage.

05-12-2005, 03:46 PM	#5
Huckleberry College Starter Join Date: Dec 2001	My serious answer is that you worry too much about how much you're giving. Do what you're comfortable with. __________________ The one thing all your failed relationships have in common is you. The Barking Carnival (Longhorn-centered sports blog) College Football Adjusted Stats and Ratings

05-12-2005, 03:51 PM	#7
Mustang Grizzled Veteran Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Wisconsin	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.. __________________ You, you will regret what you have done this day. I will make you regret ever being born. Your going to wish you never left your mothers womb, where it was warm and safe... and wet. i am going to show you pain you never knew existed, you are going to see a whole new spectrum of pain, like a Rainboooow. But! This rainbow is not just like any other rainbow, its...

05-13-2005, 10:52 AM	#22
revrew Team Chaplain Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Just outside Des Moines, IA	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. __________________ Winner of 6 FOFC Scribe Awards, including 3 Gold Scribes Founder of the ZFL, 2004 Golden Scribe Dynasty of the Year Now bringing The Des Moines Dragons back to life, and the joke's on YOU, NFL! I came to the Crossroad. I took it. And that has made all the difference.

05-12-2005, 03:44 PM	#2
Desnudo Coordinator Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Here and There	Does that mean no joking?

05-12-2005, 03:46 PM	#6
Glengoyne Grizzled Veteran Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Fresno, CA	I see no problem with the 50% to each decision.

05-12-2005, 03:53 PM	#8
st.cronin General Manager Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: New Mexico	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.

05-12-2005, 04:43 PM	#11
Drake assmaster Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Bloomington, IN	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.)

05-12-2005, 04:51 PM	#13
st.cronin General Manager Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: New Mexico	Abbey who?

05-12-2005, 05:03 PM	#14
Desnudo Coordinator Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Here and There	Abbey stung me on the nose!

05-12-2005, 05:11 PM	#15
ice4277 Pro Rookie Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Berkley, MI: The Hotbed of FOFC!	HAR!!!!!

05-12-2005, 05:35 PM	#16
MrBigglesworth College Starter Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: PA	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.

05-12-2005, 05:38 PM	#17
Radii Head Coach Join Date: Jul 2001	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.

05-13-2005, 08:18 AM	#19
Bonegavel Awaiting Further Instructions... Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Macungie, PA	God doesn't need your money.

05-13-2005, 01:44 PM	#24
Drake assmaster Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Bloomington, IN	Rev's answer reads exactly like my father's sermon on tithing. (Yes, my father is a minister.)

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