(no subject)
Nov. 11th, 2003 01:28 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
sylvarDISCLAIMER: This is not a rant. I think Jodi is a good person. Why else would I be marrying her?
This Sunday, Jodi was shocked to hear that I put two dollars in the envelope for church offerings. She thought it was way low; I explained it was all I had, and sometimes I put in a five, but I was never sure exactly what most people do or what was expected.
Then again, I once horrified my aunt when I offered a two-dollar tip on a haircut. I usually went to a six-dollar barber and tipped one, but I knew I was at a classier place so I doubled the tip. My aunt looked at me like I'd just blown my nose with the boss's necktie, and took a few more dollars from my hand and gave them to the hairdresser.
Jodi says she thought it was supposed to be a 10% tithe. If I ever give that much, I want to write a check and get a receipt for tax purposes! She thinks this is pure-dee tacky. I think it's good sense.
I'm also trying to make sense of Deuteronomy 14:25-26, which seems to be saying that I should offer this tithe to God by having a fancy dinner in God's honor. Which I don't object to -- I can see spending two days preparing a feast as a deliberate way to celebrate our blessings. (But I don't think I could spend 10% of my yearly income on it!) Or does this mean I should spend 10% of my income on eating out? I probably *do*.
And then there's 2 Corinthians 8:10-15, which seems to be saying I shouldn't worry about how to carve out an extra 10% from my budget, but I should actually go and set up their spare computer as a web and e-mail server instead of just talking about it.
I dunno; what are y'all's thoughts on all this?
This Sunday, Jodi was shocked to hear that I put two dollars in the envelope for church offerings. She thought it was way low; I explained it was all I had, and sometimes I put in a five, but I was never sure exactly what most people do or what was expected.
Then again, I once horrified my aunt when I offered a two-dollar tip on a haircut. I usually went to a six-dollar barber and tipped one, but I knew I was at a classier place so I doubled the tip. My aunt looked at me like I'd just blown my nose with the boss's necktie, and took a few more dollars from my hand and gave them to the hairdresser.
Jodi says she thought it was supposed to be a 10% tithe. If I ever give that much, I want to write a check and get a receipt for tax purposes! She thinks this is pure-dee tacky. I think it's good sense.
I'm also trying to make sense of Deuteronomy 14:25-26, which seems to be saying that I should offer this tithe to God by having a fancy dinner in God's honor. Which I don't object to -- I can see spending two days preparing a feast as a deliberate way to celebrate our blessings. (But I don't think I could spend 10% of my yearly income on it!) Or does this mean I should spend 10% of my income on eating out? I probably *do*.
And then there's 2 Corinthians 8:10-15, which seems to be saying I shouldn't worry about how to carve out an extra 10% from my budget, but I should actually go and set up their spare computer as a web and e-mail server instead of just talking about it.
I dunno; what are y'all's thoughts on all this?
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My opinion
Date: 2003-11-13 06:02 pm (UTC)Your restless mouth full of lies gains popularity.
You care not for the old that suffer,
When empty pockets cry from hunger.
Penniless from their generosity,
Sharing their money to quench your greed.
Searching for the answer to their prayers
They cry their last wish of need.
"Save me!"
His spirit lives and breathes in me.
The almighty transformed to your screen.
The meanings lost in its translation,
No holy words, describe his deception.
You say you'll help us find the lord,
Tell me preacher how do you know?
A simple quest for a visible savior,
To lead us through our final prayer.
"Save me!"
Send your donations,
Contribute to the cause.
Luxuries,
Your righteous reward?
Praise the lord, praise God,
Is what you wish to sell.
There is no Heaven without a Hell.
In your mind's eye could you truly believe,
That by giving you can save your soul,
Could you be so naive!
You heal the sick, raise the dead,
You blind the congregation
With the things you say.
Religious blackmail a deceit of trust,
That death will come and all will be lost.
Can you hear the serpents call,
Look deep in those deceiving eyes.
Ignore the writing on the wall,
You should read between the lies.
When doubt subsides his honesty,
An inquiry, is it blasphemy?
Impure the soul, that's made to suffer,
No sermons left to hide or cover,
An empty promise, lie unfulfilled,
To steal a dream or get it killed.
They claim your trip to Heaven's nearby,
You may believe it but Satan wouldn't lie!
--Tom Araya