Do you give 10%????

[Chasey_Lane]

Good grief, Chasey. What does homosexuality and/or cross-dressing have to do with tithing... is this really the thread for this...

I was going but I was making a response to a post 2A made. That's all.

 

[crabcake]

Seriously, I think the topic of tithing is a subject all of it's own and I find the different perspectives on the subject to be quite interesting. However, it's hard to follow the topic when it strays so far off track.

I didn't expect it to take on a life of it's own. If I could divide them up, I would.

 

[crabcake]

Its about conscious choices.

It is judgemental in a way- but as I said- there is a way things should be handled- along with a way of respect when someone goes somewhere. Such as, you are not going to go up to the wailing wall and not put on the yamica (sp.. sorry) that is required to proceed. You are not going to walk in someones house- with muddy shoes, and track it all over their home- its the same thing as I coming to a church cross dressing. Just my opinion though.

I guess, in this instance, it just comes across judgemental to me. It's one thing to walk in wearing a shirt with pictures of gay sex acts depicted (that, I can see being offensive); it's another to wear something someone finds comfortable.:shrug:

 

[watercolor]

I didn't expect it to take on a life of it's own. If I could divide them up, I would.

ITS FINE! dont worry about it. Two subjects can be discussed in one tread! Dont worry about it.

 

[Chasey_Lane]

Chasey- would you approve of someone coming into your home or whatever wearing something that offended you?

Yes. We all have our own opinions and if some punk wants to wear his jeans hanging off his azz and all the while sportin' a green mohawk, so be it. I don't have any right to refuse someone of anything because they're not dressed to MY standards.

 

[kwillia]

I didn't expect it to take on a life of it's own. If I could divide them up, I would.

I was simply trying to get the topic back on course. It's quite an interesting subject.

 

[kwillia]

ITS FINE! dont worry about it. Two subjects can be discussed in one tread! Dont worry about it.

Oh brother... don't make me go bump all your foot stompin' posts when your threads veered from topic...

 

[crabcake]

I was simply trying to get the topic back on course. It's quite an interesting subject.

I guess the interlacing threads (he he I made a funny) is the appearance of judgement to those who tithe and those who don't, and those who dress "right" and those who don't ... by an organization that preaches nonjudgementalness (if that's a word).

 

[Chasey_Lane]

I was simply trying to get the topic back on course. It's quite an interesting subject.

Since when does a topic ever stay on course? The church (any church) is all about hypocracies and that's what we're discussing.

 

[watercolor]

Oh brother... don't make me go bump all your foot stompin' posts when your threads veered from topic...

Yeah, and I have gotten over that. How long ago was that, that I would whine about that. Alright. Point proven. So dont worry about it. Who cares if the thread when off topic- she had a question- about if a gay person would be turned away- therefore it was answered- which of course sparked another thing- and went from there. WHO CARES!

 

[2ndAmendment]

Thats a huge IF, and the second part just goes to show that man wrote the bible in his own interests. I don't see why god would care if you gave an arbitrary figure to the church (or anything at all for that matter), as long as you are a good person at heart and are generous towards those less fortunate in your personal dealings.

Agreed that many churches and denominations abuse the tithe and offerings. I disagree that the Bible was written for man's interests. It is the Holy Spirit inspired word of God. It was written by men moved by the Holy Spirit. If it is not, then it is worthless.

God needs nothing from us, because all of creation is His. We give in order to honor Him.

Psalm 50:8-23

<sup id="en-NASB-14677">8</sup>"I do not reprove you for your sacrifices,
And your burnt offerings are continually before Me.
<sup id="en-NASB-14678">9</sup>"I shall take no young bull out of your house
Nor male goats out of your folds.
<sup id="en-NASB-14679">10</sup>"For every beast of the forest is Mine,
The cattle on a thousand hills.
<sup id="en-NASB-14680">11</sup>"I know every bird of the mountains,
And everything that moves in the field is Mine.
<sup id="en-NASB-14681">12</sup>"If I were hungry I would not tell you,
For the world is Mine, and all it contains.
<sup id="en-NASB-14682">13</sup>"Shall I eat the flesh of bulls
Or drink the blood of male goats?
<sup id="en-NASB-14683">14</sup>"Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving
And pay your vows to the Most High;
<sup id="en-NASB-14684">15</sup>Call upon Me in the day of trouble;
I shall rescue you, and you will honor Me."
<sup id="en-NASB-14685">16</sup>But to the wicked God says,
"What right have you to tell of My statutes
And to take My covenant in your mouth?
<sup id="en-NASB-14686">17</sup>"For you hate discipline,
And you cast My words behind you.
<sup id="en-NASB-14687">18</sup>"When you see a thief, you are pleased with him,
And you associate with adulterers.
<sup id="en-NASB-14688">19</sup>"You let your mouth loose in evil
And your tongue frames deceit.
<sup id="en-NASB-14689">20</sup>"You sit and speak against your brother;
You slander your own mother's son.
<sup id="en-NASB-14690">21</sup>"These things you have done and I kept silence;
You thought that I was just like you;
I will reprove you and state the case in order before your eyes.
<sup id="en-NASB-14691">22</sup>"Now consider this, you who forget God,
Or I will tear you in pieces, and there will be none to deliver.
<sup id="en-NASB-14692">23</sup>"He who offers a sacrifice of thanksgiving honors Me;
And to him who orders his way aright
I shall show the salvation of God."

 

[watercolor]

Yes. We all have our own opinions and if some punk wants to wear his jeans hanging off his azz and all the while sportin' a green mohawk, so be it. I don't have any right to refuse someone of anything because they're not dressed to MY standards.

well, I guess our opinions differ then. but I just think- that there is a time and place to do certain things- and attending church in a fashion that is offensive such as crossdressing- I would think would not be the place. But- see, I guess I am a hypocrit- because I dont see why I would have a problem with the mowhawk guy. The pants I might as to pull them up- but the mowhawk- well, he is proclaiming his faith while showing style.

I know- totally contradictory to what I am stating. BUT- there are offensive things to do and then there are just those that annoy CERTAIN people. And to me the annoy would be the green haired mowhawk boy- and the offensive would be wearing womens clothing when you are a male.


(pssst..btw.. juju's are meant to be signed, no matter what color they are. )

 

[2ndAmendment]

That's always been my belief. I think it takes a bigger person to seek forgiveness from those they've 'wronged' than to ask an otherwise-uninvolved entity.

The Bible says you are to seek the forgiveness of the person wronged and then seek the forgiveness of God.

 

[Midnightrider]

and the offensive would be wearing womens clothing when you are a male.

how about a man dressed in a loose fitting, flowing robe?

 

[crabcake]

The pants I might as to pull them up- but the mowhawk- well, he is proclaiming his faith while showing style.

I know- totally contradictory to what I am stating. BUT- there are offensive things to do and then there are just those that annoy people. And to me the annoy would be the green haired mowhawk boy- and the offensive would be wearing womens clothing when you are a male.

But maybe by attracting attention to himself, he feels better able to share God's word cuz he'll have a bigger audience. :shrug:

I don't see where anyone can pick and choose as to offensiveness. If someone is put off by the choice in clothing (so long as it's not blatantly vulgar in nature -- depicting sexual acts, murder scenes, etc. -- that's common sense), then perhaps they need to look within themselves to see why they feel that way. But no matter how it's sliced, it's judgemental, and something unbecoming of christian-hood.

 

[2ndAmendment]

Wouldn't asking him to change into clothing you think is appropriate be considered judgemental?

Who doesn't sin? :shrug: You've admitted yourself that you are not perfect and that you sin from time to time (not saying you cross-dress or anything ) But what makes one sin any worse than another? :shrug: If the gay member is there to seek forgiveness for his lifestyle, isn't that 'okay' in God's eyes?

Yes, is judgmental against sin.

We have homosexuals that have come to our church seeking forgiveness. They do not flaunt the sin.

No sin is worse than any other.

 

[maylinduplantis]

I believe that tithing is something you need to come to terms with between yourself and God... 10% is just the average tithe, that most people feel is acceptable... to me, some weeks I struggle with giving to the offering, financially, but then other weeks, it's not even a question...

however, I believe someone who is visiting a church shouldn't feel pressured to give to the church they are visiting... there are members of the congregation who belong to the church, that's their job...

and a church isn't about big gold crosses, or fancy robes, either... its not about having 30 acres of land to fight over it uses for... it's about being there, for God, in God's presence... When you visit friends, and family, you wouldn't go into their house and disrespect their beliefs... you wouldn't go into their house and go "wow, this is a really nice kitchen counter, but you could of spent the money on getting new carpet for the bedroom" because that's disrespectful... you do go "I'm not coming back here because there isn't any black/gays/etc. here to make me feel more comfortable" but I digress...

like I said before, tithing should be a personal connection between yourself and God, and saying that not tithing is stealing is a bit harsh and judgmental... some struggle to feed themselves every week, and 10% means the difference between their child starving and not...

 

[crabcake]

Yes, is judgmental against sin.

We have homosexuals that have come to our church seeking forgiveness. They do not flaunt the sin.

No sin is worse than any other.

but if judging is a sin, and being gay is a sin, and no sin is any worse than another, how is the cross-dresser any worse off than he who judges him?

 

[2ndAmendment]

Yes. We all have our own opinions and if some punk wants to wear his jeans hanging off his azz and all the while sportin' a green mohawk, so be it. I don't have any right to refuse someone of anything because they're not dressed to MY standards.

We have punks show up with orange hair or green hair. If someone's butt crack or underwear is showing or their clothing is revealing, then they will be asked to pull their pants up or cover themselves. If the don't, then they will be asked to leave.

 

[Midnightrider]

but if judging is a sin, and being gay is a sin, and no sin is any worse than another, how is the cross-dresser any worse off than he who judges him?

ladies and gentlemen, we have a winner!!!!