Charity and Christmas: Does it bother you that churches give less to charity than Golf clubs?

Question

Do churches have a responsibility to humanity to really provide charity, or just pretend that they do?

There are 2.1 Billion Christians in the world. Each of them gives offerings or tithes weekly. If only $1 per person actually went towards helping the hungry, there would be an additional $109 Billion per year to combat world hunger.

That is larger than all but 23 of the worlds country's production and yearly wealth.

Do you feel shame that your offering and tithes don't end up in the hands of the needy, or is it OK that your church gives less than a typical golf club? My club gave more than 100,000 to charities and our community last year. If 1/3rd of the churches in the us counsel of churches would do the same, there would be $3,689,910,000 to help the needy.

Are churches, tax free country clubs that don't do charity?

Gizmo, it does bother me that all humanity doesn't give more, I am addressing Christianity specifically in this question because it proports to be good for society and is supported in the current Government through 'Faith Based Initiatives'
I personally should be doing more, but recognize that and don't fool myself into thinking I am giving to charity when I am not.

Not socialized, its Math....but being a form of science, I understand your reticence to accept it. You should look into where the majority of 'overseas' funds go. You might be surprised to find that leaflets and broadcasting take up a huge percentage of the funds. Little Mabubu can't eat a pamphlet explaining that baptism by sprinkling is not biblical.

Akoy, you are absolutely right, I need to adjust the numbers to account for the western world only, but cannot find estimates for the west. Even if we limit the statement to the members of the US counsel of Churches though staying with only $1 per person, and 44,154,678 members there would be $2,296,043,256. The US counsel of Churches only has 34 denominations and doesn't include Catholics Baptists, COG, JW, SDA or Mormons. They are a very small minority of the US Christian membership. My point is that giving money to churches isn't Charity.

UK sense - Good to hear from you... Involuntarily non objective, is that a nice way of saying possessed by the devil? I am actually very subjective and freely admit it, as are you. The question was mean to stimulate thought about where offerings and tithes go. You know I used to be a Christian, so I ask out of a sense of understanding about my former belief.

Answer 1

The sad thing is that even though these aren't "hard" facts...it wouldn't surprise me at all if this was 100% true.

It does bother me, but then again I look at "churches" as a business. When they start closing down schools and parishes because they are no longer "profitable"...then no one can deny they have become a "business" rather than a "church".

I don't like it at all, but it doesn't affect my faith. Men will corrupt anything that they touch...that doesn't mean that the message behind it is any less...just being manipulated.

Answer 2

Bingo. Separation of Church and State today is used to justify a huge tax exemption for churches. Very little of that weekly tithe goes to what I call real charity -- selflessly helping others less fortunate. Unfortunately, most charity in the United States is to help one's own lot. Many donate to their child's school programs, such as music or sports groups, and receive tax-subsidized entertainment. Real charity returns absolutely no benefit to the donor.

Answer 3

You are forgetting that some Christians in third world countries (which is probably 80% of all Christian church goers) earns only an average of about $ 3 per day.

Answer 4

why does it bother you that christians aren't giving enough money shouldn't you be concerned with all humanity.Imagine if every person that worked gave 1 dollar to charity a month.

Answer 5

It bothers me when any corporation does not give to charity. The church is the largest con game on the planet and it does not surprise me when they don't give back to the community.

Answer 6

You are not taking into account the INDIVIDUALS in those churches that donate to charity. Churches subsist on donations: How can they give away lots of money when they can barely keep themselves afloat?

Answer 7

Churches have a responsibility to provide their pastors with enormous houses and nice, luxurious lifestyles despite their teachings. Pretty sick, huh?

Answer 8

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m4021/is_11_24/ai_95309979
While looking for actual statistics I found this. for Americans, those who earn the least money tend to give away the most

Answer 9

Not sure where you got your facts but I know most (not all and certainly not the biggest) churches give all year to various foreign missionary efforts...food pantries...disaster recovery efforts...orphanages...etc...

Answer 10

DO only atheists golf ? Interesting.