Define: Giving to Charity

[_zeezrom]

Per U.S. tax code, donating money (i.e. tithing) to the LDS Church is a charitable contribution. I'm okay with this because it makes sense.

1. The church builds temples and churches that allow the less fortunate to use free of charge
2. BYU is an option for families that otherwise could not afford to attend
3. Downtown SLC is beautified for the edification of anyone who visits, including the poor
4. Resources like the scriptures, family history, counseling, youth programs, and media are made available to all members, including those who can't otherwise afford it

Similarly, we can define donations taxes as giving to charity because the government provides resources to everyone, including the poor:

1. Drinking water subsidies
2. Libraries
3. Roads, bike paths, and sidewalks
4. Parks

In addition, the government funds resources that give directly to the poor:

1. Education grants
2. Housing
3. Food stamps
4. Veterans assistance
5. etc.

If you are an ex-mo, paying taxes feels like giving to charity because you were so used to calling tithing charity.

[_Sethbag]

It really irks me though when hearing news commentators say that Mitt Romney gave $3million or whatever "to charity", when in fact he probably handed almost all of it to the LDS church. Somehow, however it may be defined by US tax code, this seems a little like an abuse of the language.

[_Nomomo]

It really irks me though when hearing news commentators say that Mitt Romney gave $3million or whatever "to charity", when in fact he probably handed almost all of it to the LDS church. Somehow, however it may be defined by US tax code, this seems a little like an abuse of the language.

Romney's biggest charity is himself, 10 million a year into his IRA through slippery tricks.

[_bcspace]

If Jesus is the perfect example of charity, as is LDS doctrine, paying taxes does not qualify as charity. Notice that Jesus' statement "Render unto Caesar..." is not given as an example of how Jesus showed charity.

[_bcspace]

Romney's biggest charity is himself, 10 million a year into his IRA through slippery tricks.

Which are legal and which you would use yourself at every opportunity which, ironically, is something Obama has been steadily removing from the economy at a prodigious rate.

[_sunstoned]

If Jesus is the perfect example of charity, as is LDS doctrine, paying taxes does not qualify as charity. Notice that Jesus' statement "Render unto Caesar..." is not given as an example of how Jesus showed charity.

That is because at the time, the Roman social programs and assistance to the poor really sucked.

[_son of Ishmael]

Per U.S. tax code, donating money (i.e. tithing) to the LDS Church is a charitable contribution. I'm okay with this because it makes sense.

1. The church builds temples and churches that allow the less fortunate to use free of charge
2. BYU is an option for families that otherwise could not afford to attend
3. Downtown Salt Lake City is beautified for the edification of anyone who visits, including the poor
4. Resources like the scriptures, family history, counseling, youth programs, and media are made available to all members, including those who can't otherwise afford it

Similarly, we can define donations taxes as giving to charity because the government provides resources to everyone, including the poor:

1. Drinking water subsidies
2. Libraries
3. Roads, bike paths, and sidewalks
4. Parks

In addition, the government funds resources that give directly to the poor:

1. Education grants
2. Housing
3. Food stamps
4. Veterans assistance
5. etc.

If you are an ex-mo, paying taxes feels like giving to charity because you were so used to calling tithing charity.

I don't think I would call veteran's assistance a charity

[_moksha]

In Romney's defense, it is hard to itemize buying lunch for the hungry and you do get a receipt for the IRS when you invest in God's Mutual Fund.

[_PrickKicker]

I agree with the OP.

I have been out of work for 2 years, there just aren't any jobs out there that pay the bills especially with 60% duty on our fuel, 18% on our purchases, 22-50% on our income and 10% national insurance.
Credit interest at 39%. The system is screwed. You are paying out more than you'll ever honestly make by doing a real working mans job.

How can ordinary people afford tithes and offerings?

The government keeps the poor, poor and the rich, rich.

There have to be classes or there would be no economy, the state pays farmers NOT to grow or will control what they grow and when.
apply this logic to people, instead of food and you get the government paying people a pittance not to work...

That is me.