The survey says ... liberals are stingier

St. Paul Pioneer Press ^ | 12/23/2008 | Nicholas Kristof

[joesbucks]

If churches stopped passing the plate, making giving/tithing a part of membership and having giving envelopes, church giving would sadly drop dramatically.

[joesbucks]

I have no intention of being dragged into an inane argument with you this morning.

No I with you based on your previous posts.

[joesbucks]

The highest cashflow church in our area has no "plate", just envelopes and the ability to take auto-tithing through electronic transfer.

Well wonderful. Thoughtless giving.

[joesbucks]

Actually I am a tithing church member.

[MrB]

It’s pretty easy to spot who “doesn’t get it” (that would be you).

And there’s really no point in attempting to explain the “reborn” mind to those who don’t get it.

Have a nice day.

[joesbucks]

Actually there is a vast difference between church goers and truly those of a reborn mind. The ratio of the first is much higher than the second. So I get it. MAybe you don’t?

[The Brush]

If churches stopped passing the plate Christians would give anyway.
Tithing is not part of the new covenant. We are told to be cheerful (actually hillarious) givers.
While some giving might stop without a receptacle, most would continue.
Our church receives as much money from our tape/CD ministry than we do from those who show up each week.
There's a difference between mega churches like Saddleback and small congregations.
Some people come to be entertained... and some come to worship.

[Balding_Eagle]

Come on, liberals, redeem yourselves, and put your wallets where your hearts are.

They have been putting their wallets where their hearts are.

Liberals, at heart, are mean spirited, vindictive people.

[stayathomemom]

But religious giving is often done out of the feeling of requirement, guilt, the rules of membership, peer pressure when the plate is passed and other prompters that pinch the giving nerve.

I would say that because of our sinful nature, it is impossible for one to give based on pure altruism. It is what we do out of thanks, but that sinful, grudging, or prideful nature is there.

[Atlas Sneezed]

Spending other people’s money isn’t about generosity, it’s about POWER.

[sobieski]

Fine; my other comments stand!

[mvpel]

Since I often scold Republicans for being callous in their policies toward the needy, ...

Right, like the "needy" Frost family with commercial rental properties, a half-million dollar home, and two kids in $20,000-a-year private schools.

We're just so, so callous.

[jveritas]

The worst human trait about liberals is that they are the worst hypocrites on the planet. I find it impossible for me to be a friend with a liberal because of the hypocrisy factor.

[jveritas]

You are making a lot of stupid conjectures based on no facts what so ever.

[joesbucks]

Stupid conjectures? That's a stretch. We all know that the reason the plate is passed.

There are some who are very generous givers naturally from the heart. Others?

[WOBBLY BOB]

it was only 1 billion in TARP money.