Do the churches in the US make money?

Question

Do the christians pay at the door or is it free? Serious question as I am in the UK and don't know these things. When I see documentaries the pastor always looks like he has a bit of money and always looks like he's up to no good as well when interviewed..How much does it cost as well?

Answer 1

They make their members tithe. Not make exactly, it's voluntary though socially mandatory, and the churches DO make a lot of money off it.

Answer 2

Generally there are five methods used differently by different sects.

The MOST common is PASSING THE PLATE. A plate goes from person to person and they put in what they choose to put int.

The second most common is the MEMBERSHIP FEE, done on a voullentary basis. You pay yearly or each month. Sometimes this is done in TANDEM with the PLATE in Christian churches, but not among Jewish.

Then there is TITTHING, which is pledging a percentage of your income. Used by a small minority of sects.

Then there is the Box kept at the door or front area where you put blind contributions in as you can.

This is probably what you are used to.

Finally there is the GIVE IT ALL, used by a small minority of Born Again communes or houses in which you join and give ALL your worldly goods (cars, houses, bank accounts) to the collective. It's a form of communism or socialism.

TV Ministries use the simple pledge. You call and offer a pledge and send a check. It's similar to the box or plate passing.

Answer 3

One of the 'richest' churches in the world is the so-called LDS church (aka, the Mormons). They threaten you that you will burn in hell for not paying tithing (10%) income. They say you are 'blessed' if you pay, but I would question how you are blessed. Are they working behind the scenes to guarantee your success at your work among other things (then attribute it to God)? It wouldn't surprise me...

What do they do with this money? The proof is in the 'putting' [sp]. Some of it is used to lure extremely desolate/desparate people from all over the world here if they will sell their soul to their cause. Example: I used to have some neighbors who were straight off the boat tribal Africans. The church will set them up with jobs, nice vehicles, room and board etc. and set them up as an example to get more converts. Little do they know the fornicating among other things that goes on over there... Oh well, at least they show up for Sunday school!

This is the LDS church's largest growth area convert-wise. Take advantage of desparate people who will say they believe anything to get an Audi, and walla! Instant membership growth!

BTW, the LDS church also heavily invests in real estate. They probably own half of Florida by now. You see they are preparing for the 'end times', you know when a Mormon gets elected to the White House, and they need to build a bunch of 'bomb shelter' church buildings to protect their precious 'members' (double meaning intended) from the imminent nuclear holocaust!

Good luck sorting out the world of corrupt religion! In the words of George Carlin: "Religions should just charge you $50,000.00 up front when you are born", kind of a prepaid sort of thing!

Answer 4

Tithe, offering, donation etc. If god is able to perform miracles, why do the congregation have to keep diving into their pockets and give hard earned money to 'the church'.

It should be free and seeing as demographically a higher proportion of church goers are in the lower social economic groups than the proportion of these groups in the population at large (in both UK and US), they shouldn't be asked to make any donations.

The english church is the 2nd largest land owner in England and the majority of the land, and the chruches built on it were funded by the king / local authority / donations from business.

WHY? God = miracle worker. Where is the money?

Answer 5

In the USA, there are ostensibly no government funds directed toward the support of religion. (The Bush Administration has tried to alter this somewhat, but it is unlikely to be renewed.)

However, contributions to churches are tax deductible to the donor, and the churches themselves are not taxed, although the income of the pastors and staff members is taxed just as any other income. However, Pastors often have cars, clothing allowances, housing, & expense accounts that are supplied by the church and paid for out of church funds. Therefore, it is possible that a pastor could live lavishly, pay almost no taxes, all from the donations of people who believe they are supporting God's work.

It is also possible that a pastor could live simply, pay all his/her taxes, and not soak their parishioners for more cash or promote programs for the community.

Both are true and both are common.

Answer 6

Yes to varying degrees. Some mega-churches keep staff to only deal with cash flow. Lower down the economic rung, preachers decide the money is low for the week either go for a barn burner of a sermon or just tell the locations of the ATMs in the area.

In some countries in Africa, the economies are so poor that becoming a member of the clergy is the only way to make money.

Jesus said in Matt. 10:8, "You recieved free, give free." Refering to spiritual knowledge they acquired from him. Paul in 2 Thess. 3:7-10 also referred to money. They worked jobs for their needs to not be a burden to the congregations and to serve as EXAMPLES for them and us.

Answer 7

The ones you view on television are probably quite wealthy.

I attend a small church. . .it is free to attend. . .it is up to you whether you pay tithe or not. The tithe you do pay goes to the running of the church, the electricity and so on and so on. My pastor and his wife both hold regular jobs outside of the church and live a normal simple life. I guess it just depends on the church, who is running it and what their motives are.

btw, my church does not make money off of tithing it simply pays the bills and the bank accounts are open for all members to view. And, as far as tithing. ..they do not keep up with who does and who doesn't or how much. . .I personally feel if I am a part of something I need to help financially support it.

Answer 8

There is a point in the service where a plate is passed throughout the congregation and money is put in it. Also, since Bush became president churches can get 'faith based' grants from the government but do not have to pay taxes.

How you like that?

Yes the churches DO get grants. This is a fact.

Answer 9

the only way that churches in the us make money is from offerings. right before the beginning of the service, normally after the songs etc. they pass around a collection plate. you dont have to put money in if you dont want to, only if you feel like it. if you just wanna go in and watch the service, then you can for free. you dont have to give anything if you dont wanna. they also make money from fundraisers. bake sales, garage sales, one church in my area owns a second hand clothes shop. every one who works there are all volunteers, and you just give your old stuff to them, and all the profits go to keeping the store up, and whatever is left over, goes to the church. but most of the churches make money from the collection plate....dont ask me how that can even be enough to keep a church running, but somehow it is....

Answer 10

There are, of course, great churches here that are not hypocritical money making machines. However, most of the ones that get on TV are about money, and are fake. The poor stupid masses pour money into them and then watch them on TV. They are slime, and will burn in hell for falsifying true religion.

Answer 11

It's free but you are encouraged to donate.

The only "religion/church" not free would be Scientology and that will cost you an arm, a leg, and your first born