> This is a fundamental misunderstanding of tithing and I’m not going to get into that at the moment,
To the extent that tithing (or a non Christian equivalent) supports a religious institution's facilities and payroll and programs to be help less well off members of the religious group, it's a bit socialistic, with the huge caveat that - by definition - it is not universal, since to receive such benefits you must usually be an adherent or serious prospect of conversion to the religion.
I'm sure most people realize that their tithing money isn't getting them anything in a presumed afterlife, and that the purpose is to support the institution's basic functions and it's outreach and expansion efforts.
Do you have a citation for "you must usually be an adherent or serious prospect of conversion to the religion"? I've never worked with a church that required proof of membership or belief to receive services.
To the extent that tithing (or a non Christian equivalent) supports a religious institution's facilities and payroll and programs to be help less well off members of the religious group, it's a bit socialistic, with the huge caveat that - by definition - it is not universal, since to receive such benefits you must usually be an adherent or serious prospect of conversion to the religion.
I'm sure most people realize that their tithing money isn't getting them anything in a presumed afterlife, and that the purpose is to support the institution's basic functions and it's outreach and expansion efforts.