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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
- ex arcamLv 69 years agoFavorite 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.
- Anonymous9 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. - capitalgentlemanLv 79 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.
- Anonymous9 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 - How do you think about the answers? You can sign in to vote the answer.
- C'est MoiLv 49 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.
- Silver MorganLv 59 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.
- implumbusLv 69 years ago
10% tithe is a lie the "church" has adopted as a performance based function.....
give what you can....and give hilariously...
- Zombie CrazyfoolLv 69 years ago
Well,the USA is a secular(sorta) country,so no,it's not compulsory.Even our government managed to get that right.
- markLv 79 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.
- Anonymous5 years ago
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