Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
Most people put a little money in the collection box when they go to church each Sunday...Churches depend on money from their flock to pay expenses and "stay in business!"... Some of this money is used to sponsor events and outreach programs in the community and to help the poor and needy...In a way we are asked to "tithe" to our country when we pay taxes. Some of our taxes go to our city and county and state governments to pay for services and re-pave roads and fund new projects etc...Our federal taxes go into a "community pot" for a wide variety of expenses too...Churches view themselves as a "body of people." And city and state and federal governments operate on this same principle. ..Questions arise concerning how the money will be spent. Or how much we should be required to pay in taxes. Churches don't demand a "fixed amount" when it comes to donations....What would happen if everyone stopped tithing to their local church? What would happen if no one paid any taxes whatsoever?
We are viewed as a "body of people" by our local and state governments. And the federal government views us the same way...It's a "group sharing" mentality. Churches view their flock and congregation as a "body of people" too...Families operate this way too. Money is dispensed as needed to individual members and for "family matters" as a "whole."
According to CBO 42% of us don't pay a dime in taxes. We see what happens when they pick and choose winners (GM,GE) as they call for increasing the already heavy tax burden on the so-called rich.
A tithe is supposed to be a payment for the teaching you receive. It is in addition to donations and good deeds. It is done with nothing in return expected yet we are promised that our tithes will be rewarded 100X.
A church, foundation or any non-profit organization is less heavy and much better at getting donations into the hands of the people they are helping. Halfway homes, orphanages, missions, food programs...etc.
The government is a slow cumbersome bureaucracy -- skimming cuts off the top, passing frivolous legislature, and expanding their power over the people. It isn't about taking in money for the peoples business. It's about how much the politician can squeeze through bills and attachments. Some politician thought that spending a $2.6M (of the people money)on "teaching Chinese prostitutes how to drink alcohol responsibly" was a good investment.
I think it's good to question what we are asked to pay in taxes. And question how the money is spent..But I want to understand how we are "lumped together" in the eyes of local and state and federal government officials...it's going to take a lot of protesting and threats of recall to get my mayor and city council to listen to residents' complaints...In many ways they view us all as "their kids." And they view themselves as our "wise parents." They feel that they always "know best" for their community. Their power and position has "gone to their heads."...We are their flock and congregation and the "kids" in their family. And they consider our tax dollars and revenue "their money" to do with as they please....Politicians usually start off their careers at the local level and try to move up the ladder to positions in "higher places."....Some politicians try to paint themselves as "our friends" when elections roll around and others go farther and evoke God into their speeches and present themselves as "holy people" who will "save" our country....But all in all we just serve as a group of people who might be inclined to vote for them if they say the right things to each group they are with at the time.
[quote=steven_h;20450950]According to CBO 42% of us don't pay a dime in taxes. We see what happens when they pick and choose winners (GM,GE) as they call for increasing the already heavy tax burden on the so-called rich.
A church, foundation or any non-profit organization is less heavy and much better at getting donations into the hands of the people they are helping. Halfway homes, orphanages, missions, food programs...etc.
How can we be so sure about this? The Catholic church hierarchy (Vatican, archbishops, etc) skim part of the take from the donations. We don't necessarily know how much goes to those in need.
Hmmmm Not really comparable.
1 is forced and the other is not.
less waste involved in the church where as in gov at all levels tremendous waste. A sense of entitlment.
Churches normally cntract amoung their own. Govs normally contract amoung those who give kick backs.
Churhes are expected to be thrifty with what they spend.
Government expects to be able to waste at will.
I really dont see anything that can be compared.
By the way I am agnostic.
Maybe the key is getting government officials to view what they spend as "waste." Senators and Congress members make promises to try to help the "folks back home" in order to "gain favor" and get elected...We expect the people we elect to represent us and care about our needs when they serve in Washington...We all have wants and needs and we expect our wants and needs to be considered and taken seriously...Some people are after tax breaks and other people want and need decent paying jobs and others live in fear of seeing cuts in their Social Security checks and Medicare etc...We're basically a very large "body of people" with different wants and needs. And the "kicker" is that we're all "tied together" as "one big family" whether we like it or not!
Most people put a little money in the collection box when they go to church each Sunday...Churches depend on money from their flock to pay expenses and "stay in business!"... Some of this money is used to sponsor events and outreach programs in the community and to help the poor and needy...In a way we are asked to "tithe" to our country when we pay taxes. Some of our taxes go to our city and county and state governments to pay for services and re-pave roads and fund new projects etc...Our federal taxes go into a "community pot" for a wide variety of expenses too...Churches view themselves as a "body of people." And city and state and federal governments operate on this same principle. ..Questions arise concerning how the money will be spent. Or how much we should be required to pay in taxes. Churches don't demand a "fixed amount" when it comes to donations....What would happen if everyone stopped tithing to their local church? What would happen if no one paid any taxes whatsoever?
Giving to a church and paying taxes to the IRS aren't even in the same solar system...
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
