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Is Tithe compulsory in the USA?

I keep hearing about this "Tithe" where you pay 10% of your earnings to church.

Is it compulsory? Do you get it deducted from your wage package like tax? And is there an opt-out for nonreligious folk?

11 Answers

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  • 9 years ago
    Favorite Answer

    It's not compulsory, and it doesn't happen. Statistics show that American giving to churches is nowhere near 10% of income -- it's more like 2%. A handful of 'evangelical' churches may be getting a true tithe, but they are a small minority.

    Americans give to support many things other than churches. Religion tops the list, but in total, other needs receive twice as much as religion does. These figures by recipient are for 2010:

    Religion $100.63 billion

    Education $41.67 billion

    Gifts to Foundations $33 billion

    Human Services $26.49 billion

    Public-Society Benefit $24.24 billion

    Health $22.83 billion

    International Affairs $15.77 billion

    Arts, Culture & Humanities $13.28 billion

    Environment & Animals $6.66 billion

    Foundation Grants to Individuals $4.20 billion

    Unallocated $2.12 billion

    On the one hand, I think it's something of a disgrace that we give more to keep churches open than to feed, shelter and clothe the poor, or to care for the sick. But on the other hand, we all know that a fair chunk of our taxes go to support the unfortunate, and none of our taxes go to churches.

  • Anonymous
    9 years ago

    Tithing is a requirement in some religious denominations.

    It is certainly compulsory in the LDS/Mormon faith,

    which was founded in the USA.

    Most Mormons will say that it is freely given to the church,

    but as you cannot fully take part in all LDS/Mormon activities

    unless you pay your tithing, it is more or less compulsory.

    Mormons who do not pay tithing are regarded as unworthy

    and therefore cannot have access to the Temple, for washing and

    anointing, endowments, sealing (marriage) etc.,

    so you could say that it is a sort of 'membership fee'. If you do

    not pay it you do not progress.

    Source(s): personal experience.
  • 9 years ago

    it is not compulsory. It used to be in England - there are still some "tithe barns" standing where people would bring 10% of their produce once per year - even if they weren't Christian. But, that stopped hundreds of years ago, and was never law in the USA.

    Many fundamentalist denominations encourage a tithing system, and many do it routinely. But, it is not law.

  • Anonymous
    9 years ago

    I know that the Mormon church require member to donate 10% of their income to the church but it is not compulsory. You are supposed to pledge the amount voluntarily.

    As far as compulsion it is not the case. There is no established church in the USA so taxation would be a problem.

    In Germany there is a church tax which you can opt out of , but it does qualify you to get married in chruch etc.

    Source(s): Experience
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  • 9 years ago

    Seriously?

    It isn't a tax, people pay tithes to their churches to keep them open and operating, and in some cases to keep their preacher in a Mercedes.

  • 9 years ago

    Yes. Failure to donate tithe will result in arrest and execution before Obama's Socialist Revolutionary Democratic Guard's firing squad for Crimes against the revolution and the people.

  • 9 years ago

    10% tithe is a lie the "church" has adopted as a performance based function.....

    give what you can....and give hilariously...

  • 9 years ago

    Well,the USA is a secular(sorta) country,so no,it's not compulsory.Even our government managed to get that right.

  • mark
    Lv 7
    9 years ago

    no not compulsary, just like believing in people is. I think someone said once it costs a person ten bucks an hour to go to church. I'd just print the presale tickets, your welcome.

  • Anonymous
    5 years ago

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