Theological Debate: Tithe

[Barinthus]

The whole concept - we should take care of each other as best as we can.

I'm curious although when did this concept of tithe emerge in ancient Hebrew society - before or after when the religion has pretty much became state religion and priesthood was part of the 'system?'

[Az]

Aww, dude... These questions are mindbogglingly difficult to answer, even though they are simple. We don't even know the state of affairs of the hebrew religion at 1000BC and earlier. The old testament gives us only hints as to the true nature of history then ( in contrast to later times, where it gets pretty damn accurate)

[Barinthus]

Yeah my cynical self was wondering if the whole thing came up after the priesthood has became intergrated with the state and they thought up of a new way of collecting more taxes.

[Az]

I don't think it was like that, since kings could grab any taxes they wanted to anyhow. Probably a specialized priesthood tax, that was decreed by the priests... but not necessarily that late in the timeline.

[BlackCat]

Priests and religions has always been good money machines - just think about the possibility to pay your way out of purgatory that the chatholic church invented

First you scare the sh!t out of people then you cash in - that isn't possible today with independant politicians.

Erhm ....

[Barinthus]

Well I figure that people would be more willing to accept a 'tax' for religious purpose such as tithe or that indulgence thing as opposite to taxes from the state.

[BlackCat]

Originally posted by Barinthus
Well I figure that people would be more willing to accept a 'tax' for religious purpose such as tithe or that indulgence thing as opposite to taxes from the state.

You are probably right - people are actually pretty weird

[Zkribbler]

Originally posted by Jon Miller
I think that it since all belongs to God, that 10% should be returned to him.

I'm not buying that rationale. This is a God who created the universe in seven days...or seven eons...or whatever. If he wants a few buck, he can whip it up himself.

However, giving to others to use for vituous purposes is good for your soul. As is, using it yourself for the benefit of others. Giving is a way of reaching out to your fellow human...of re-affirming your humanity.

Ack...I just I should be doing more of it.