Tithing-Schmithing

Let me confess up front that tithing big bucks to your church or synagogue doesn’t impress me … and not just because I’m an agnostic. In my opinion, generosity to one’s religious peer group often tends to be self-aggrandizing: “Hey, look at me — I’m a big church-macher!”

Now give the same amount of money to a food or health charity or a symphony or art museum, for instance — one that you’re not directly affiliated with — that, to me, is generous.

And this isn’t my only problem with Ann Romney’s defense of hubby Mitt’s tax return secrecy. Here’s what she said to Robin Roberts in an ABC Good Morning America interview:

He’s a very generous person. We give 10 percent of our income to our church every year. Do you think that is the kind of person who is trying to hide things, or do things?…

We’ve given all you people need to know…

In other words, if “you people” could see Mitt’s secret tax returns, “you people” would know there’s no need for “you people” to see them.

Tithing-Schmithing (Limerick)
By Madeleine Begun Kane

Just what is Mitt trying to hide?
In secrecy, Romney takes pride.
How ironic and blithe:
We should trust him; his tithe
Means he’s good — so decreeth his bride.

*****

Four years ago, Mitt Romney gave John McCain a slew of tax returns, hoping to become McCain’s running mate. McCain didn’t pick him, but now says Romney’s tax returns weren’t a problem; Sarah Palin was simply a “better candidate.”

Obama’s thank you note’s in the mail.

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4 Responses to “Tithing-Schmithing”

  1. Pearl Ketover Prilik says:

    When giving a donation in shul
    Attaching your name is not cool
    No mitzvah will hit ya
    If you shout out Hey Brother and Sister
    Look at me I”m a generous tool!

    Now tithing another thing altogether
    Should be as constant as weather
    Just simply what’s done by each daughter and son
    Simply a flocker’s floating in feather

  2. Hansi says:

    Talk about blowing your own trumpet when doing a good deed. Tithing is mandatory, not a choice, in outfits like The Latter Day Saints (?).

  3. Gary Arnold says:

    Mad Kane – your views actually coincide with the scriptures.

    The Old Testament tithe applied only to those who inherited the promised land, and they were commanded to tithe to the tribe of Levi which did NOT inherit any of the land, but rather the tithe. Wage earners did not tithe. According to the scripture, the tithe ended at the cross. Hebrews 7:5,12,18.

    In the New Testament Jesus said when you give to the poor, you are giving to Him. Nowhere in the scriptures does it say when you give to the church you are giving to God.

    Giving to a church is giving to man for a service the giver benefits from. That is not true giving.

    I left the corporation organized to do business as a church several years ago over the tithing issue. Now my giving goes to those in need.

    NO Christian Church ever taught anyone to tithe from their income before 1870. Tithing is a scam.

    There is a big difference between having a relation with God and being a church goer, listening to man.

    I am a born-again believer.

  4. madkane says:

    Thanks for your very interesting comments, Gary.

    And thanks for your fun verse, Pearl and comments. Hansi!