Churches and charities.

[jeffrey]

Does your church give to the needy? Do you believe they are doing enough?

 

[jeffrey]

Seems that a lot of churches have and take in a lot of money, but don't do much for charity. I know people get down on the Catholic church for being so rich, but I also see them give more then any other church. A Baptist church we used to go to took in alot of money, but gave none to charity. Are some churches seen more interested in lining their pockets then helping the needy? I always wonder their motives when some churches require you to tithe.

 

[Terrywoodenpic]

My local church gives all it can get it's hand on.
Doing enough?
It's a bit like filling the bath with the plug out...It will never be enough.

Terry_______________________
Blessed are the gentle, they shall inherit the land

 

[jeffrey]

My local church gives all it can get it's hand on.
Doing enough?
It's a bit like filling the bath with the plug out...It will never be enough.

Terry_______________________
Blessed are the gentle, they shall inherit the land

God bless you and your church for doing so!

 

[Scuba Pete]

The church I used to attend, sponsored a free pregnancy clinic/home for unwed mothers as well as helping to support a home for battered women and their kids. They also did alot for orphans.

 

[Green Gaia]

Yes, we do, on a variety of fronts. Can we do more? Probably, and we're always looking for other ways to help.

 

[Aqualung]

Does your church give to the needy? Do you believe they are doing enough?

Our church gives a lot to the needy. It's one of the most effective charities in the world.

 

[michel]

Put it this way; I would feel far happier giving to a Church who make themselves responsible for distributing their income, than a public charity.


I was astonished an d upset to hear, the other day that one of the big charities here 'absorbs' 54% of the money given to them......

 

[jeffrey]

I look at some of there lavish places of worship and wonder if they spent less money on building a place that is so.... posh... how much more people could have been fed and clothed?

 

[Scuba Pete]

The international churches of Christ feel that buildings are sinful. They make it a point to meet in public places like schools and such.

 

[michel]

The international churches of Christ feel that buildings are sinful. They make it a point to meet in public places like schools and such.

I take it you mean buildings for meeting as a congregation ?

 

[jeffrey]

I was astonished an d upset to hear, the other day that one of the big charities here 'absorbs' 54% of the money given to them......

It fries my head when you see these preachers on tv asking for money for some cause, dressed in tailor made suits, rolex watches and diamond rings.

 

[jeffrey]

The international churches of Christ feel that buildings are sinful. They make it a point to meet in public places like schools and such.

I feel alot more comfortable giving to a church like that. Why lavish churches? what purpose do they serve?

 

[Quiddity]

I think it goes both ways in my Church. Bishops are not financial gurus and make poor decisions with money. But on the other hand some people complaining are the people that don't volunteer, give no money, etc. We are all the Church and need to work together.

~Victor

 

[pandamonk]

Seems that a lot of churches have and take in a lot of money, but don't do much for charity. I know people get down on the Catholic church for being so rich, but I also see them give more then any other church. A Baptist church we used to go to took in alot of money, but gave none to charity. Are some churches seen more interested in lining their pockets then helping the needy? I always wonder their motives when some churches require you to tithe.

My girlfriend was telling me that her minister is using her churches money to build an extention on his house. Unfortunately i don't know if they give to charty, but i haven't heard of them giving to any charity. They occasionally have a day to raise money for the minister...i mean church, but thats it.

 

[Popeyesays]

Does your church give to the needy? Do you believe they are doing enough?

In my faith we do not accept contributions from those who are not declared members of the Baha`i Faith. That means if you are not a Baha`i we do not accept contributed funds at all.

As to what is done with it, the faith spends the money in many ways including charity to worthy causes and disaster relief. BUt money is used to build Temples - a new one going up in Chile over the next couple years, that will be the eighth in the world. We spent funds to modernize and complete the terraces involved with the world center on Mount Carmel in cooperation with a great deal of work done to modernize the City of Haifa by the Israeli government.

It takes money to administer a world-wide faith, and in my opinion that is money well spent. We have no clergy, of course, and we contribute funds to local, regional, national and international funds.

Regards,

Scott

 

[jeffrey]

Do you feel some churches have 'membership drives' to spread the word of God, or maybe to increase the amount the church brings in in the way of tithe?

 

[Popeyesays]

Do you feel some churches have 'membership drives' to spread the word of God, or maybe to increase the amount the church brings in in the way of tithe?

I think actual "face to face" religious communities grow out of a sense of service not greed. I think televangelists who do not create a face to face community may - in some instances - be more interested in their pocket books than their sense of service. But I would only say that in particular instances, not as a blanket statement.

Regards,
Scott

 

[Scuba Pete]

Probably not... they make most people uncomfortable with their level of indoctrination.

I feel alot more comfortable giving to a church like that. Why lavish churches? what purpose do they serve?

 

[Quiddity]

I feel alot more comfortable giving to a church like that. Why lavish churches? what purpose do they serve?

Buildings, art, sculptures, scents of candles, are ancient ways of communicating a truth to the people. It's well worth the money if it gets people to heaven...

~Victor