Tithing never felt charitable to me

[_Simon Belmont]

You aren't required to obey the Law of Chastity or WoW either.

Correct.

[_Jason Bourne]

So if you give $1000 to your local food pantry and deduct it on your tax return do you feel less charitable over that one. Or how about the Red Cross, United Way or any other charity you support?

After the mandatory 10% to the church, very few families have any disposable income left over to be able to give to any other charity.

I am not sure how this addressed my point really.

[_Jason Bourne]

Members are required to pay tithing. Maybe Redefined isn't required to pay tithing, but you are and I am and so is Liz and Jason and anyone else here who is LDS.

No, they aren't. I'm not required to pay tithing.

Of course like anything in or out of the Church we have free will.

But if you want to be active LDS in full fellowship you are required to pay tithing.

To get baptized you are asked if you will obey the law of tithing.

To go to the temple and receive the highest ordinances for the highest heavenly rewards you have to tithe.

To see my kids married in the temple I have to tithe.

To receive various callings you have to tithe.

Of course you can choose not to tithe and go without those things listed above. But if you want them it is required.

[_Jason Bourne]

You aren't required to obey the Law of Chastity or WoW either.

Correct.

No this is not correct. Just like if you break certain laws you can be punished the Church has rules it expects you to keep, required to keep, or you can be punished. Breaking the two above means no temple and other benefits. Breaking one of them can mean never going on a mission as well as putting your membership in jeopardy. Also they can keep you out of higher heavens.

So yes they are required. Just like you are required to obey certain laws or suffer punishment. Are you required not to murder, steal, rape or pay taxes? Of course and of course you can choose not to but you will be punished and caught if you don't obey such laws.

Such things are the same as far as the Church goes and the realm it controls.

[_harmony]

So if you give $1000 to your local food pantry and deduct it on your tax return do you feel less charitable over that one. Or how about the Red Cross, United Way or any other charity you support?

After the mandatory 10% to the church, very few families have any disposable income left over to be able to give to any other charity.

I am not sure how this addressed my point really.

Just that those charities are rarely on the radar of average members of the LDS church. I remember a member of my ward gave a talk 20 years ago, and made the point that there are lots of opportunities for LDS members to help out their communities, supporting charities like the ones you mention and many others. The bishop got up after she sat down and reminded everyone to pay their tithing.