I am Lutheran, just curious about it.
2007-03-26 21:01:42 · 5 answers · asked by GiantsFan98 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
No
2007-03-27 02:42:27 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
No, parishioners may contribute to the Catholic Church, as they wish and as they are able. They pass the basket at every Mass as the answerer below mentions, so there is a social compulsion to contribute something.
In colonial days, people were made to contribute to the official church of the colony; for example, to the Puritan Church in Mass. and to the Anglican Church in Virginia. But I don't believe the Catholic church had such an arrangement, perhaps because there weren't that many Catholics in America at the time. The founding fathers (and many colonists!) didn't believe the government should levy taxes to support churches or even designate an official church; this was the point of the establishment clause of the First Amendment.
2007-03-26 21:05:31 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
No.
With the separation of Church and State in the United States, no government agencies collect "taxes" for a religious denomination like it is done in some European countries.
All Churches are on their own and subsist from the goodwill offerings of their members.
With love in Christ.
2007-03-27 16:28:53 · answer #3 · answered by imacatholic2 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Nope. We don't require tithing, either.
We encourage Stewardship of time, talent and treasure- but each person is left to decide for themselves how best to support their parish.
2007-03-28 04:29:01 · answer #4 · answered by Mommy_to_seven 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No it does not require you to pay anything. They just ask for a donation at every mass.
2007-03-26 21:05:36 · answer #5 · answered by chingonSD 1 · 2⤊ 0⤋