Do Mormons Feel Pressured to Pay Tithing?

[smac97]

Do Mormons feel pressured to pay tithing?  Generally not, it seems.  See here:

Quote

Recent survey finds that Mormons contribute more financially than other denominations, but feel the least pressure to donate
By Morgan Jones
Published: December 27, 2017 11:20 am

A recent survey reports that Latter-day Saints donate the most in monetary donations to their religion of all Christian respondents while reporting the lowest percentage of those who feel pressure to donate from peers and religious leaders.

The survey, conducted by the financial resource website LendEDU, polled 1,000 religiously affiliated Americans who “indicated that they did contribute financially to their respective religions." The survey asked respondents about the monetary value of their donations, the cost of participating in their respective religions, pressure associated with donating and budgeting for such donations.

Patrick Mason, dean of the School of Arts and Humanities at Claremont Graduate University and a Mormon scholar, said that the findings come as no surprise due to the way the principle of tithing is both taught and encouraged within The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, particularly with "the tithe being connected to temple attendance.

"That provides additional incentives for Latter-day Saints to pay tithing, whereas in every other church, synagogue or mosque it’s basically voluntary,” Mason said. “There can be moral suasion, there can be preaching from the pulpit, they can pass around the basket and try to make you feel guilty, but they don’t have any other tools, generally, in order to provide that kind of strong incentive for giving.”

I think that is partially it.  Here are three additional factors, IMO:

1. Another part, at least for members of the Church raised in it, is that paying tithing is "baked in" to being a Latter-day Saints.  Going to church, keeping the Word of Wisdom and the Law of Chastity, receiving ordinances, participating in YW/YM activities, serving a mission, temple attendance.  Tithing is just another regular and normative form of religious observance.

2. Another factor could be the visible utilization of tithing funds.  I think most members are generally comfortable with the Church's stewardship of tithes.  We see the tithes being used for Church buildings, temples, educational and humanitarian efforts, and so on.  In contrast, we don't see General Authorities living in lavish mansions, driving fancy cars, or otherwise living the jetset life.  So there is a comfort level there.

3. Most interaction with "church leaders" is at the local level.  Members interact with bishops (and other ward leaders) on a regular basis, with stake leaders on a sporadic basis, and with area authorities ever once in a while.  The vast majority of leaders in the Church are unpaid volunteers.  So when a bishop or a RS president or an area authority or whoever encourages members to pay tithing, there is no actual or even apparent self-interest in play.  The bishop's motive for encouraging others to pay tithes are pure because the bishop gets paid the same amount regardless of whether a member tithes or not.

Quote

Still, the survey found that just 8.33 percent of Mormon respondents reported experiencing pressure to donate from peers, while 16.67 percent reported experiencing pressure to donate from religious leaders. Both percentages are significantly lower than other Christian respondents.

Mason explains that the LDS Church rarely talks about money from the pulpit with the exception an occasional general conference talk or Sunday School lesson on tithing.

“So how do you get the lowest pressure but the largest giving? You have another structural piece in play and that’s the temple recommend interview,” Mason said. “They don’t have to talk about it very often because if you want to be a member in full standing, it’s just understood that tithing is part of that and it’s going to be enforced privately in a different kind of setting that apparently most people see as low pressure. ... It’s a self-selected group.”

Yep.  Low pressure.  Tithing is not an end unto itself.  It is just one of many obligations of discipleship.  

Quote

Mason says overall the survey speaks to the success of the American model of religion, a model where churches are “voluntary associations supported purely by the financial contribution of their members, not by the state.”

My father has studied the history of religion in Europe quite extensively, and he has frequently commented on the disparate character of religion as a matter of citizenship/nationality/culture as compared to a matter of choice and conscience (the "American model," in Mason's words).

Quote

The survey numbers “seem to suggest that most people, the majority of people in all of these different faiths are basically comfortable with the idea that participation in a religious community also brings a financial obligation. ...The people in the pews understand that supporting their congregation is their responsibility,” Mason said.

I wonder if "American individualism" plays a part here.  According to Pew Research: "Nearly six-in-ten in the U.S. (58%) believe allowing everyone to pursue their life’s goals without interference from the state is more important. Majorities in all European nations polled in 2011 said guaranteeing that nobody is in need is more important."  I think many Americans prefer "The State" (the government) to keep out of our way, whereas folks in Europe have ceded much more responsibility to the state.  Many Americans, then, turn to religion as a source of moral guidance and responsibilities, and hence are willing to financially support religions.  Meanwhile, European countries and countries previously under European control/influence have all sorts of state religions, compulsory taxes to support religions, and so on.  

Quote

As for the LDS Church, Mason says the survey “speaks to really the remarkable success that the church has had in instilling in its members that financial giving is an important value.

“People prioritize things in different ways and you can tell how people prioritize things in terms of how they spend their time or how they spend their money or other kinds of social goods,” Mason said. “And I think one of the reasons for the LDS Church’s success over the past 100 years has been its financial stability with a couple of rocky points in the mid-century but the reason it was able to do that is because it was able to instill in its members a belief that tithing was not ... simply a voluntary offering that you gave after all your other expenses were paid but (the) consistent refrain that tithing is the first thing you pay.”

Read all of the study’s finding here.

Overall an interesting read.

Thanks,

-Smac

[JLHPROF]

I certainly don't.  I like paying tithing.  Everything I have comes from God, the entire earth is the Lord's.
If he wants me to pay a small amount to the kingdom and he has blessed me, how could I refuse?

Sure it's harder some months than others.  But I never consider that money mine to begin with so that helps.
Perhaps one day we as a community of believers will be ready to live full consecration again, once we have faith that God will provide and lose our innate selfishness.
I'm not there yet, but I'd like to be.

Edited December 27, 2017 by JLHPROF

[Scott Lloyd]

1 hour ago, smac97 said:

Do Mormons feel pressured to pay tithing?  Generally not, it seems.  See here:

I think that is partially it.  Here are three additional factors, IMO:

1. Another part, at least for members of the Church raised in it, is that paying tithing is "baked in" to being a Latter-day Saints.  Going to church, keeping the Word of Wisdom and the Law of Chastity, receiving ordinances, participating in YW/YM activities, serving a mission, temple attendance.  Tithing is just another regular and normative form of religious observance.

2. Another factor could be the visible utilization of tithing funds.  I think most members are generally comfortable with the Church's stewardship of tithes.  We see the tithes being used for Church buildings, temples, educational and humanitarian efforts, and so on.  In contrast, we don't see General Authorities living in lavish mansions, driving fancy cars, or otherwise living the jetset life.  So there is a comfort level there.

3. Most interaction with "church leaders" is at the local level.  Members interact with bishops (and other ward leaders) on a regular basis, with stake leaders on a sporadic basis, and with area authorities ever once in a while.  The vast majority of leaders in the Church are unpaid volunteers.  So when a bishop or a RS president or an area authority or whoever encourages members to pay tithing, there is no actual or even apparent self-interest in play.  The bishop's motive for encouraging others to pay tithes are pure because the bishop gets paid the same amount regardless of whether a member tithes or not.

Yep.  Low pressure.  Tithing is not an end unto itself.  It is just one of many obligations of discipleship.  

My father has studied the history of religion in Europe quite extensively, and he has frequently commented on the disparate character of religion as a matter of citizenship/nationality/culture as compared to a matter of choice and conscience (the "American model," in Mason's words).

I wonder if "American individualism" plays a part here.  According to Pew Research: "Nearly six-in-ten in the U.S. (58%) believe allowing everyone to pursue their life’s goals without interference from the state is more important. Majorities in all European nations polled in 2011 said guaranteeing that nobody is in need is more important."  I think many Americans prefer "The State" (the government) to keep out of our way, whereas folks in Europe have ceded much more responsibility to the state.  Many Americans, then, turn to religion as a source of moral guidance and responsibilities, and hence are willing to financially support religions.  Meanwhile, European countries and countries previously under European control/influence have all sorts of state religions, compulsory taxes to support religions, and so on.  

Overall an interesting read.

Thanks,

-Smac

If I do feel pressured, it would only be in the sense that I believe so fervently in the principle of tithe paying that I feel I cannot afford not to pay it. That is to say, I shudder at the risk of giving the Lord reason to withhold blessings that are promised for faithfulness to this commandment.

Furthermore, the payment of tithing gives me a sense of satisfaction in contributing to the war chest of the Church of Jesus Christ in the truth vs. error conflict.

Edited December 27, 2017 by Scott Lloyd

[Buckeye]

My two-cents: in some ways, there is considerably less pressure for tithing paying in the LDS church than other churches for many of the reasons you articulate. The primary one is that tithing and (mostly) all documents are a private affair. We don't pass the plate. Paying tithing is not public. So that's a big pressure relief in our services. On the other hand, tithing payment in the LDS church is tied to some pretty important things, such as temple attendance, and so not paying can have stressful repercussions that are not felt in other churches. We're pretty unique in requiring a 10% payment to see your daughter's wedding. But as others have mentioned, that reality is "baked into" our faith.

I'll point out one other thing. The times when it seems people in my ward are the most stressed/annoyed/etc about a donation are the few times when the donations are public - youth fundraisers, and in particular friends of scouting. By measure of actual dollars donated, the FoS is small potatoes compared to tithing, but the public and somewhat involuntary nature of the exercise results in more stress than tithing.

 

 

Edited December 27, 2017 by Buckeye

[mfbukowski]

Yes and no

It is like remembering to pay the bill for the best thing you have every done in your life and you don't want the power to get cut off. 

 

[JLHPROF]

25 minutes ago, mfbukowski said:

Yes and no

It is like remembering to pay the bill for the best thing you have every done in your life and you don't want the power to get cut off. 

 

Fire insurance bill?

 

[bluebell]

47 minutes ago, Buckeye said:

My two-cents: in some ways, there is considerably less pressure for tithing paying in the LDS church than other churches for many of the reasons you articulate. The primary one is that tithing and (mostly) all documents are a private affair. We don't pass the plate. Paying tithing is not public. So that's a big pressure relief in our services. On the other hand, tithing payment in the LDS church is tied to some pretty important things, such as temple attendance, and so not paying can have stressful repercussions that are not felt in other churches. We're pretty unique in requiring a 10% payment to see your daughter's wedding. But as others have mentioned, that reality is "baked into" our faith.

I'll point out one other thing. The times when it seems people in my ward are the most stressed/annoyed/etc about a donation are the few times when the donations are public - youth fundraisers, and in particular friends of scouting. By measure of actual dollars donated, the FoS is small potatoes compared to tithing, but the public and somewhat involuntary nature of the exercise results in more stress than tithing.

 

 

I’ve never considered FoS to be involuntary. We have two sons in scouts but we haven’t given anything to FoS for years.  Is it mandatory in your ward?

[rongo]

In my last PPI with the stake president, he was asking me details about not holding fundraisers (I refuse to have any fundraisers on principle. All ward activities, including camps, are funded out of the budget. This is well-known in our stake). He seems to want to eliminate them stake-wide (which I think would be more in keeping with Church policy, both the letter and the spirit).

This will upset some bishops and organizations (YM, YW, etc.), but I honestly don't know what other wards do with all their money if they raise thousands for camps. Seems really wasteful to me. The stake president was fascinated, and seemed to agree with this.

[Duncan]

1 minute ago, rongo said:

In my last PPI with the stake president, he was asking me details about not holding fundraisers (I refuse to have any fundraisers on principle. All ward activities, including camps, are funded out of the budget. This is well-known in our stake). He seems to want to eliminate them stake-wide (which I think would be more in keeping with Church policy, both the letter and the spirit).

This will upset some bishops and organizations (YM, YW, etc.), but I honestly don't know what other wards do with all their money if they raise thousands for camps. Seems really wasteful to me. The stake president was fascinated, and seemed to agree with this.

our stake eliminated a lot of events, dances are a thing of the past, except maybe in YSA but yeah where is all this money going?

[bluebell]

1 hour ago, rongo said:

In my last PPI with the stake president, he was asking me details about not holding fundraisers (I refuse to have any fundraisers on principle. All ward activities, including camps, are funded out of the budget. This is well-known in our stake). He seems to want to eliminate them stake-wide (which I think would be more in keeping with Church policy, both the letter and the spirit).

This will upset some bishops and organizations (YM, YW, etc.), but I honestly don't know what other wards do with all their money if they raise thousands for camps. Seems really wasteful to me. The stake president was fascinated, and seemed to agree with this.

Being in YWs, I don't like holding fundraisers, but I like what they teach the kids.  If they want to go to a more expensive camp or youth conference then they are expected to work together to be responsible for the cost.  But here, I don't think it would be possible to do everything without our one allowed fundraiser.  We have Daughters of Zion Camp, Youth conference, and girls camp that we have to fund for about 45 girls (for each camp) this year.  

[bluebell]

Does it annoy anyone else that it's called a "donation" on lds.org?  I know why it is, and I don't expect it to ever change, but it still annoys me because I don't consider tithing to be a donation.  I consider it an obligation (one I am happy to have).

[Garden Girl]

5 hours ago, Scott Lloyd said:

If I do feel pressured, it would only be in the sense that I believe so fervently in the principle of tithe paying that I feel I cannot afford not to pay it. That is to say, I shudder at the risk of giving the Lord reason to withhold blessings that are promised for faithfulness to this commandment.

Furthermore, the payment of tithing gives me a sense of satisfaction in contributing to the war chest of the Church of Jesus Christ in the truth vs. error conflict.

I know just what you mean, Scott.... I've been so blessed, I believe,  because of my attitude toward tithing, a principle I firmly believe, particularly in view of Mal 3:6-10... At the first of every month, I sit down to pay my bills/expenses.  Before I actually begin, I take a few minutes to pray with a grateful heart and give thanks for the many temporal and spiritual blessings I've received and continue to receive...  The "windows" have been wide open for me in so many ways.  I agree, I too feel that I can't afford not to pay my tithing...

from the beach, awaiting heavy wind, rain, and gale warnings tonight and tomorrow...

GG

[mfbukowski]

3 hours ago, rongo said:

In my last PPI with the stake president, he was asking me details about not holding fundraisers (I refuse to have any fundraisers on principle. All ward activities, including camps, are funded out of the budget. This is well-known in our stake). He seems to want to eliminate them stake-wide (which I think would be more in keeping with Church policy, both the letter and the spirit).

This will upset some bishops and organizations (YM, YW, etc.), but I honestly don't know what other wards do with all their money if they raise thousands for camps. Seems really wasteful to me. The stake president was fascinated, and seemed to agree with this.

My counselors always wanted to throw a party or do something special to spend money if we were actually under budget for the year and had money "left over".

We never did while I was in.  That attitude really really bothered me.  

[mfbukowski]

6 hours ago, JLHPROF said:

Fire insurance bill?

 

There were times in my life I was actually thinking of joining a Country Club for business reasons of course,  since I am in the Real Estate business

I figured I was already in the best possible "Country Club" anyway.  

[rongo]

4 hours ago, bluebell said:

Being in YWs, I don't like holding fundraisers, but I like what they teach the kids.  If they want to go to a more expensive camp or youth conference then they are expected to work together to be responsible for the cost.  But here, I don't think it would be possible to do everything without our one allowed fundraiser.  We have Daughters of Zion Camp, Youth conference, and girls camp that we have to fund for about 45 girls (for each camp) this year.  

All in the same year? Yeah, that's trying to compensate for families through activities ---- which the Brethren have regularly criticized, and also warned that stakes and wards would complain and fight against reduction and simplification. We don't save our youth through activities (especially expensive ones), and if the family isn't doing its job, all these activities aren't going to magically give them the wherewithall to remain active and committed. 

The handbook language actually says that fundraisers would be in extreme circumstances only, and then only one, and then only for camp. Most units treat the routine (camps, etc.) as extreme circumstances, and hold multiple fundraisers, and for things other than camp. In your stake, there are multiple camps!  

The Brethren have also counseled against fundraising to raise money because people want a super cool activity beyond what their budget normally provides. So, even if we're teaching kids to earn money for the super cool activity, that isn't teaching them moderation or wisdom. 

Our ward gets about $13,000 annually for activities. We find that this is more than enough for all of the camps and activities we need to do (65 youth, 100 primary kids, 492 members). 

We don't do FoS. We didn't even announce it this year, and the stake didn't hassle us over it. I think Scouting morale is at an all-time low, and leaders don't have the heart to kick chairs over a voluntary drive. 

[Duncan]

47 minutes ago, rongo said:

All in the same year? Yeah, that's trying to compensate for families through activities ---- which the Brethren have regularly criticized, and also warned that stakes and wards would complain and fight against reduction and simplification. We don't save our youth through activities (especially expensive ones), and if the family isn't doing its job, all these activities aren't going to magically give them the wherewithall to remain active and committed. 

The handbook language actually says that fundraisers would be in extreme circumstances only, and then only one, and then only for camp. Most units treat the routine (camps, etc.) as extreme circumstances, and hold multiple fundraisers, and for things other than camp. In your stake, there are multiple camps!  

The Brethren have also counseled against fundraising to raise money because people want a super cool activity beyond what their budget normally provides. So, even if we're teaching kids to earn money for the super cool activity, that isn't teaching them moderation or wisdom. 

Our ward gets about $13,000 annually for activities. We find that this is more than enough for all of the camps and activities we need to do (65 youth, 100 primary kids, 492 members). 

We don't do FoS. We didn't even announce it this year, and the stake didn't hassle us over it. I think Scouting morale is at an all-time low, and leaders don't have the heart to kick chairs over a voluntary drive. 

you get $13,000 for activities????????? our ward only gets $3200 for the entire ward, of which the EQ gets 100 big ones...........

[why me]

If a person can be denied a temple recommend for not paying a full tithing, then a person may feel pressured to pay their tithing.

https://www.lds.org/manual/preparing-to-enter-the-holy-temple/preparing-to-enter-the-holy-temple?lang=eng

The interview for a temple recommend is conducted privately between the bishop and the Church member concerned. Here the member is asked searching questions about his or her personal conduct, worthiness, and loyalty to the Church and its officers. The person must certify that he or she is morally clean and is keeping the Word of Wisdom, paying a full tithing, living in harmony with the teachings of the Church, and not maintaining any affiliation or sympathy with apostate groups. The bishop is instructed that confidentiality in handling these matters with each interviewee is of the utmost importance.

 

I think that this is where the problem is and why some may feel pressured to pay tithing.

 

Edited December 28, 2017 by why me

[Darren10]

6 hours ago, bluebell said:

Does it annoy anyone else that it's called a "donation" on lds.org?  I know why it is, and I don't expect it to ever change, but it still annoys me because I don't consider tithing to be a donation.  I consider it an obligation (one I am happy to have).

That’s never bothered me since that whst it fundamentally is, obligation or not. There may be some legal reasons to call it a donation but I’m just speculating; but if so that may be a reason it is called a donation. 

[Meerkat]

13 hours ago, Scott Lloyd said:

If I do feel pressured, it would only be in the sense that I believe so fervently in the principle of tithe paying that I feel I cannot afford not to pay it. That is to say, I shudder at the risk of giving the Lord reason to withhold blessings that are promised for faithfulness to this commandment.

Furthermore, the payment of tithing gives me a sense of satisfaction in contributing to the war chest of the Church of Jesus Christ in the truth vs. error conflict.

Thanks Scott! I so agree with you. 

I LOVE the principle of tithes and offerings.  Obeying that commandment brings me peace of mind and increased faith in my loving Heavenly Father to be there for me when I need Him.

When I go to God in prayer, I go in faith that He will open the windows of Heaven and give me what I need, be it comfort, inspiration, material necessities or whatever it may be.  My needs have been met in all those areas, and more... and not necessarily what I thought I needed.  But God knew, and He has never let me down.  

I can say in all sincerity that I praise God for the principle of tithes and offerings.  Just as obedience to the other commandments contributes to my peace and joy, tithing is more blessing than duty or obligation.  See Isaiah 58 for a more thorough explanation of why the principle brings me joy.  There is nothing you could do or say that could influence me to withhold my tithing.  I see tithes and offerings as a gift-- to me!

Edited December 28, 2017 by Meerkat

[Eveline]

And where I come from it is tax deductable too!

[rongo]

5 hours ago, Duncan said:

you get $13,000 for activities????????? our ward only gets $3200 for the entire ward, of which the EQ gets 100 big ones...........

What is your sacrament meeting attendance (that's what it's based on)? I'll bet you get a lot more than $3200 for the whole ward for the whole year. 

[rodheadlee]

15 hours ago, JLHPROF said:

Fire insurance bill?

 

Life raft, EPIRB bill..

[Duncan]

1 hour ago, rongo said:

What is your sacrament meeting attendance (that's what it's based on)? I'll bet you get a lot more than $3200 for the whole ward for the whole year. 

um, maybe 80-100 we have about 450 people on the rolls but i'd say that many of those are MIA

[CA Steve]

I suppose if we wanted to find out how much pressure Mormons felt to pay their tithing,  one thing we could do is to remove the requirement to be a full tithe payer in order to obtain a temple recommend.

 

I suspect that tithing revenues would drop quite a bit.

[Robert F. Smith]

19 hours ago, Buckeye said:

.............................. in particular friends of scouting. By measure of actual dollars donated, the FoS is small potatoes compared to tithing, but the public and somewhat involuntary nature of the exercise results in more stress than tithing.

Some of us are highly annoyed that FoS is used to pay privileged BSA executives, while the Brethren tend not to live so high on the hog.  I pay it anyhow only because I love to see Scouting succeed.  However, I'd much rather see it as a fully LDS organization run by paid LDS executives, i.e., a new organization not beholden to BSA.