wenglund wrote: The same so-called "common sense argument" could be made for secular taxes.
Unfortunately, this "argument" ignorantly fails to consider the exponential value to self in giving (particularly charitably) to improving the conditions of others. For example, even though I have no children, my property is assessed to pay for other people's children's education. By educating those children, rather than selfishly hording the money for myself, those children will be better positioned to get better paying jobs, which in turn will not only increase the tax base (thus lessening the tax load on me personally) as well as improve the economy (adding to the consumer pool, thus not only generating more people to purchase homes in my housing developments, but increasing demand for housing in my area, which in turn drives land and housing prices up, thereby increasing my profit potential--just to mention one of a multitude of other ways I, personally, may be benefitted by giving to educate other people's children).
This same symbionic principle applies to paying tithing (at least to the religiously minded), not to mention the elevating satisfaction and joy one may derive from helping to make others happy.
Think of it as the difference in philosophy between Mr. Potter's Building and Loan (which represents your selfish so-called "common sense" way of thinking) and Bailey Building and Loan (which represents the so-called "dumb" thinking of the more charitably minded) in the movie, It's a Wondrful Life.
Thanks, -Wade Englund-
Problems with this argument:
- Paying taxes is the law. It is not charity. You can be arrested for not paying taxes.
- There is no evidence that the church uses tithing to pay for anything that benefits all mankind, let alone the people within its own membership.
- Giving to charity is something that should be done (not a bad thing to do at all if someone can afford it) only after your personal affairs are taken care of first. It is not selfish to get your own house in order. It's the smart thing to do. Only a dumbass would sacrifice his own survival for the sake of charity (and actually, it's a stretch to even call tithing "charity" - but at least you won't be arrested for not paying it).
But if it makes you feel better about yourself (in other words, if it elevates you by tearing me down) to compare me to Potter and yourself to Bailey, then go nuts. I hope it works out for ya.
Thanks, -Some Schmo-