Roughly translated: We don't want no poor people here.

[LiberalAndProud]

http://www.rawstory.com/2015/07/florida-church-sends-1000-collection-notice-to-single-mother-because-she-didnt-tithe/

Florida church sends $1,000 collection notice to single mother because she didn’t tithe

A Florida church sent a delinquency notice to a new member reminding her that worshipers were expected to pay $1,000 in required fees or face possible removal.

Candace Petterson said she started attending the Greater Mount Moriah Primitive Baptist Church about six months ago after moving to a new home in the Tampa area, but she received a troubling letter last week from the church, reported WFTS-TV.

The single mother said she received what amounted to a delinquency notice from her new church asking her to contribute $50 a month, along with other assorted fees, to remain a member in good standing and vote on church matters.

[Angry Dragon]

1. god must have many expenses

[atreides1]

2. Sure he does.

The way the pastor divides the money is interesting. He stands in the middle of a large circle and throws all the money in the air...whatever God wants God takes!

So far, God hasn't taken any yet!

[LiberalAndProud]

5. Well you know ...

In the year 2000, under the leadership of Rev. Robertson and the Trustee Board, the church purchased a 6.3-acre parcel of land, blue prints and the building project was underway. In October 2007, Greater Mount Moriah held the Ground-Breaking Ceremony for the new edifice.

http://www.greatermountmoriah.net/site/dbpage.asp?page_id=140001945&sec_id=140001694

Because praise, worship and service require lots of room, I guess. 6 acres, in this case.

[Lordquinton]

3. This borders on parody

Should this membership fee disqualify them from tax-exempt?

[Igel]

4. Her final quote just says she should move on.

'It’s like you say to me, if you want to be a member of this church, you need to pay this,” she said. “If you want to find God, it don’t say anything like that in the Bible.”

If you want to find God, true. At the same time, "commandment" is a fairly common word in the Bible, OT and NT. This sounds like a fairly rule-oriented church; I'm surprised she felt comfortable with the doctrines; perhaps she just went for socializing, though.

The OT had a system of tithes, and Israel was regularly yelled at by whomever for not tithing. The Levites were given no inheritance except tithes and offerings. They're vaguely seen as analogical to ministers and the people who actually run a church in a lot of Xian exegesis.

Paul pointed out that in the OT you weren't to muzzle oxen as they threshed grain. Similarly, evangelists and other ministers were due some compensation for their service--they're worth at least as much as animals.

And Christ in Luke 14:11 even says that the Pharisees tithed mint and rue, etc., and forsook the more important things like justice and mercy--and they should have done both. He didn't say "Do one, and if you don't get around to the other, meh."

At the same time there's no penalty, now, for not doing either. Forced obedience is not heartfelt obedience. You can't compel virtue. I think this church is wrong; I think the woman is petty. Both can change.

[AtheistCrusader]

6. Render unto Caesar, amirite?

Fucking thieves.

[bluestateguy]

7. Obviously this is a heavy handed and disturbing approach

Yet, churches do have utility bills, custodial bills and matainence bills to pay. And the staff needs to get paid (I'm not just talking about the pastor, but the secretaries, etc.).

Perhaps the church could take up a collection among their members with means to cover this woman's share.

[LiberalAndProud]

8. And a mortgage on 6 acres.

Pay up or leave seems rather unChristian to this not impartial observer.

If there is a poor man among your brothers in any of the towns of the land that the LORD your God is giving you, do not be hardhearted or tightfisted toward your poor brother. Rather be openhanded and freely lend him whatever he needs.

[cbayer]

9. I would think this violates their tax status.

I hope she finds a church that takes a different approach.

[LWolf]

10. Can we make them pay taxes yet?

[cbayer]

11. Make who pay taxes?

[LWolf]

12. Churches

fucking charging people to attend.

[cbayer]

13. I agree. I don't think they meet the criteria for a non-profit at this point.