What do you guys do about tithing?

[_Black Moclips]

This would be mainly for those in the active/doubting category. For the record, I've never really had an issue with tithing. That is until I started doubting things religious. Tithing is taught as a requirement from God to show our commitment to the building up of the kingdom - and that kingdom includes running the church, building temples, building other church buildings, supporting universities, missionary efforts, etc. Probably anything that can be labeled as related to the 3-fold mission I would assume is qualified for tithing funds. So now that I am more skeptical about things, I find myself actually wanting to know where my money is going and whats being done with it.

Last year was my first year of mixing things up. Knowing that I can't answer the recommend questions with good conscience (the "Do you have a testimony of....." ones, oh, and I hear there is a new one about striving to attend meetings. Couldn't say yes to that either), I wasn't worried about getting penalized by modifying my tithing approach. Anyway, I established a base year, and estimated what it took to live. Home, food, cars, insurance, taxes, etc. Then I paid 10% on my earnings above that amount. Then I took the difference between what I would have paid based on a gross calculation on my pay stub and my new calculation and paid that in fast offerings. So in total, I paid the same as I would have before, but more went to fast offerings and less to tithing. I feel good about fast offerings because it stays locally and goes to help real people I know. I like doing that and enjoy paying it. But the more I think about tithing, the less I want to pay it. (I would think if Satan was really working on me, he wouldn't want me to pay either. Maybe is is busy).

This week at church, the envelopes went out for settlement with the bishop and I haven't decided what to do. I've thought about skipping tithing all together and pay fast offerings and give the other part to the Salvation Army, or other organizations that spend lots of local time helping people. I'm not sure though. What have you guys done?

[_truth dancer]

Hey Moclips...

Yeah this is a tough one!

First, I have heard some folks who pay directly to the COB hence do not have to share their financial information with ward members.

Seems lots of folks just pay on "increase" which can mean virtually anything... a few bucks here or there I suppose.

Some folks are OK answering "yes" to the tithing question while donating to causes they feel are more in line with what they think Christ would have them donate to... feeding the children in Africa, providing clear water to developing nations, shelters for abused children, etc. etc.

I think there are lots of folks who answer appropriately enough to get their TR but use some creative interpretations.

;-)

~dancer~

[_Sethbag]

I haven't paid tithing since a few months after I came to realize that the church wasn't actually true after all. In retrospect, I'm surprised I let it go on for those few months.

My wife is still paying it on her salary, which is about half of what I make. So we're paying about 1/3 the tithing that we used to pay.

[_SatanWasSetUp]

I can't answer the recommend questions with good conscience (the "Do you have a testimony of....." ones, oh, and I hear there is a new one about striving to attend meetings.

So grudgingly attending meetings out of a sense of duty isn't good enough, now you have to strive to attend the meetings? Nobody can answer that question honestly with a "yes." Even the most faithful TBM man would rather be at home watching football. Is the church trying to make liars out of everyone?

[_Who Knows]

What have you guys done?

I'd say about a third of what i was giving to the church goes to real charities now. Another third is saved for my kids (college, marriage, etc.), and another third goes towards my retirement.

[_The Nehor]

I can't answer the recommend questions with good conscience (the "Do you have a testimony of....." ones, oh, and I hear there is a new one about striving to attend meetings.

So grudgingly attending meetings out of a sense of duty isn't good enough, now you have to strive to attend the meetings? Nobody can answer that question honestly with a "yes." Even the most faithful TBM man would rather be at home watching football. Is the church trying to make liars out of everyone?

Striving means trying to attend meetings. Asking outright "Do you attend all meetings" would mean no missing due to illness, crises, etc.

I find watching football to be very boring. Playing is fun. I'd rather be in Church than watch football. Other things distract. Still, some days I'd rather be in Church than anywhere else.

[_Always Thinking]

that was the first thing to go once my husband started doubting. No way was he going to throw away his money on something he didn't believe in, lol. Its been seven years since he's paid.

In that time, he hasn't even tried to get a temple recommend; he doesn't want to go anyway. When tithing settlement time rolls around, we just don't sign up to meet with the bishop. (I'm still somewhat active, and he still attends church occasionally, though he usually leaves after sacrament meeting).

[_Who Knows]

Interesting, somewhat related article about tithing (in general - not just LDS) in the Deseret News over the weekend.