Comments on: Why Aren’t Atheists Tithing?

By: Mechelle

Mechelle — Sat, 26 Apr 2008 15:51:40 +0000

I work with a couple of them, yes, but I talk to the group leaders of several more.

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Well you go on believing that. It doesn’t really matter what other people think, because like I said, we don’t give for the recognition of it.

By: Mechelle

Mechelle — Sat, 26 Apr 2008 15:47:29 +0000

The point is that the religious folk are more likely to back their beliefs up with financial support.

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Your beliefs require financial funding?

By: Hemant Mehta

Hemant Mehta — Sat, 26 Apr 2008 15:36:43 +0000

That’s interesting. You generalize the contributions of atheists based on working, as you said…..”with a few of them”.

I work with a couple of them, yes, but I talk to the group leaders of several more. And this problem is commonplace for all of us. I think it’s a fair generalization to make.

By: Mechelle

Mechelle — Sat, 26 Apr 2008 15:33:50 +0000

“Atheists don’t give much money to ally organizations. I know this because I work with a couple of them.”

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That’s interesting. You generalize the contributions of atheists based on working, as you said…..”with a few of them”.

By: Mechelle

Mechelle — Sat, 26 Apr 2008 15:27:26 +0000

First you have to look at where the idea of “tithing” came from. Tithing is not an atheist concept. It’s a religious one. It sets religious “standards” in which religious zealots believe all people are held accountable for. It’s not. You also have to wonder how many of those who do “tithe” do so only because they’re instructed to, or can get a tax break from it? Atheists don’t “tithe”. We contribute to different organizations, both in monetary means and sweat equity, as we see the need for it. As far as giving to be self serving or to appear as generous in front of people, someone once told me “Christians are more compassionate. You don’t hear about Buddhists or atheist charity organizations”………..I responded, “And you won’t, for the most part. We don’t help others in need for the recognition.”

By: Buffy

Buffy — Sat, 19 Apr 2008 19:27:21 +0000

I normally give to America’s Second Harvest, Co-Op America, the ACLU, Lambda Legal, Doctors Without Borders, and Union of Concerned Scientists. I’ll also give the occasional donation to other groups here and there.

By: Friendly Atheist » How To Spend Your Tax Refunds

Friendly Atheist » How To Spend Your Tax Refunds — Sat, 19 Apr 2008 16:00:26 +0000

[...] all the talk of tithing and how atheists donate less than many religious people, here’s a place all of you can send [...]

By: TXatheist

TXatheist — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 13:53:49 +0000

Help. I’ve lost the name of the study done by two guys that showed 87% of the money tithed goes right into their own church functions when it comes to tithing. If anyone has that study or a link to it I’d REALLY appreciate it.

By: Linda

Linda — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 02:54:10 +0000

Oh, and to me, the only thing that the survey proves is that religious leaders are better skilled at controlling the behaviors of their followers by using fear tactics, etc.

It is not an accurate indicator of whether religious people are more giving than the non-religious.

By: Linda

Linda — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 02:42:15 +0000

When people give to charity, is it possible that it’s ultimately self-serving? When we give to those who are in need, is it because we have strong compassion for them, or is it so that we can feel good about ourselves for doing our part? Or worse yet, to be recognized for our generosity?

Whether a person is religious or not, if the motivation is not genuine, I don’t see how it could be considered truly giving…

The other day, I saw some dollar bills fly out of a window of a pick-up truck as it sped by a homeless beggar on the street corner. It made me sick to my stomach watching the man who was forced to fall to the ground frantically retrieving the scattered bills.

Tithing (and charity) comes from the heart, not from the wallet.