The Backlash Against Tithing
Posted on November 24th, 2007 by catalyst into the Uncategorized categoryA reader sends in the following WSJ article which discusses the backlash against tithing.
The backlash comes as some churches step up their efforts to encourage tithing. Some are setting up "giving kiosks" that allow congregants to donate using their debit cards when they attend services. Others are offering financial seminars that teach people in debt how they can continue tithing even while paying off their loans.
The article also discusses The Mega Church Affect
The Megachurch Effect
Resistance to tithing has been increasing steadily in recent years, as more churchgoers have questioned the way their churches spend money. Like other philanthropists today, religious givers want to see exactly how their donations are being used. In some cases, the growth of megachurches, some with expensive worship centers equipped with coffee bars and widescreen TVs, have turned people off of tithing. And those who object are finding like-minded souls on the Web in theological forums.
The whole article is great, especially the section about "grace giving" and the stories of people who stood up to their pastor. I encourage you to read the whole thing
But most importantly I want all you readers to know that you're not just bitter and angry, you are also apart of a larger movement, a "backlash" if you will. It makes a blogger think we may be reaching a "tipping point", a point where Christians no longer allow their pastors to manipulate them into giving money.
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November 25th, 2007 at 5:38 am
Good article.
You telling me we got national readership? Wowsers.
I will.
Thanks (whew!)
-joe
November 25th, 2007 at 8:58 am
Great article.
The simple truth is that when you read the Bible in an un-biased way, you’ll see that tithing is NOT required. It’s nice to see that people are starting to see the truth.
November 25th, 2007 at 2:20 pm
The intensity of the comments on their blog show how much of a hot potato tithing is today. I expect it tospur many similar articles.
I am very disappointed though.
I was the major contributor for names and information in the article and my name and book were probably bumped, not by Suzanne Sataline, but my the editors. I spent hundreds of hours pouring over old e-mails from the past six years to furnish names and information to the Wall Street Journal for this article. The following names and important data of key persons interviewed in the article were provided by him: Robert Barbour, Kirk Cesaretti, James Harnut-Beumler, Andreas Kostenberger, Kevin Rohr and Judy Willingham. At least three of these persons were influenced by his book.
At least the truth has been let out of the closet now. Praise God. Thank you Ms. Suzanne Sataline. As Kevin Rohr was quoted in the article, “All decisions to give and how much to give are between the believer and their God, not meant to be used as stumbling blocks or judgments against others.” While many in prosperous countries should give more than 10%, the Christian is not under a percentage and should give for better reasons outlined to the Church.
Russell Earl Kelly, Author of Should the Church Teach Tithing?
wwww.shouldthechurchteachtithing.com
November 25th, 2007 at 4:31 pm
Well, you did a great job in helping get the article published. So, good job. That was one of the best pieces on tithing I have read. I suspect there will be other opportunities for you in the future. I don’t think this issue is going away.
Keep up the fight…
…open the gates and seize the day…
November 26th, 2007 at 12:22 pm
I set up the forum “Tithing Study” for the sole purpose of discussing this topic If you want to join, send an e-mail to:
Tithing-Study-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
November 26th, 2007 at 3:10 pm
From the look at the WSJ comments this is an extremely hot topic. I certainly hope and pray that it will generate much more publicicty in papers, radio and TV. We must keep the ball rolling now.
LIke Rob said, join us. Kevin Rohr and Dr. David Croteau are contributors.
November 26th, 2007 at 7:03 pm
Wow! An article in the Wall Street Journal about tithing….could this mean that SP Ed and the NYC church just took a clubbing right to the chin?
Just a thought.