Bottom line, should not the church provide tithe and offering to faith based

I think it would be more preferred (by me anyway) if the Church were to totally fund social ministry and programs. On the other hand, I also think it is ok for the government to fund these things as well.

Joseph Botwinick

 

I do not approve of any federally funded faith based programs. The church should give NO money to the Government programs and should accept NO money from these programs. As the church we should be preaching the uncompromising Gospel, feeding the poor, sheltering the homeless, and helping others. That is our job and we dare not outsource that job to the Federal Government.

Btw we can't rightly feed and shelter people without preaching the Gospel to them (since preaching the Gospel is the main mission of the church). If all we do is feed, shelter, and fight social ills (w/out preaching the Gospel) then we are just making this earth a better place for people to go to hell from (as one preacher rightly said).

The tithe belongs to the local church and not the federal government.

Martin.

 

I agree. If it is a Church Ministry, then it should be funded wholly by the Church. I think I mis-stated my position above. Let me clarify: I have no problem with the government funding social issues in the nation and around the world, as long as they do not do it through the Church. If it is a ministry of the Church, it should be funded through the Church and be truly a faith based endeavor where we trust God, not the government, to provide the funding.

Joseph Botwinick

 

I agree too. I and I dont like fund raisers in the community to help send a church group on a mission trip. Thats the church's job, not society's.

 

If the church people aproximately (10% of the population) were to fund social missions where would the money come from for foreign missions? Most churches should start by funding their pastor's salary first.

 

Sounds great!

So how would you propose we pay our Baptist college, university and seminary profesors at least as much as the secular world pays their's?

I have never seen a Christian college or university ever advertise or even have a program in Industrial Technology. Have you?

 

Through the help of God. If it is God's will, God will provide the way through the Church. If a professor is not willing to teach for what the Church pays and is in it for the money, then I would highly question their calling.

Joseph Botwinick

 

gb93433:

==These schools are supported by funds from individual Christians, programs set up in local churches, and tuition.

Not really sure what this has to do with Faith Based Programs run/supported by the Federal Government.

Martin.

 

Yes. All charity should be a private and especially church domain. Gov't should not intrude into whatsoever since doing so is definitely making law concerning an establishment of religion- among other constitutional violations.

Our gov't's involvement in wealth redistribution is wholly illegitimate. It is the exclusive territory of the church and private individuals... and if we as individuals must be "forced" to relieve the poor... then we deserve to collapse as a society.

 

I agree with Joseph.

We are a government by the people, theoretically, and if the people decide that the poor shall be helped to basic necessities without regard to race, sex or creed, that's what makes us a greater and more decent nation than we would've been otherwise - although we're not much of a world contender among the rich, industrialized nations.

 

gb93433 asked:

Well, Bob Jones University has 123 undergraduate majors including: Accounting, Actuarial Science, Apparel, Textiles, and Design, Biology, Broadcast Engineering, Chemistry, Cinema and Video Production, Computer Science, Criminal Justice, Electrical Engineering, Electronics and Computer Technology, Global Technologies Management, Graphic Design, Human Resources, Information Systems Management, and a bunch of others.

They also offer 16 associate degree programs including: Aircraft Maintenance, Auto-Diesel Mechanics, Business Management, Cosmetology Management, Culinary Arts, Horticulture/Landscape Technology, Hospitality & Conference operations, and Residential Construction. (Yes I know BJ can be a polarizing school on Baptistboard but my wife is alum and I like them a lot). What exactly is it that you think you can’t study at a Christian College? I am not saying Bob Jones or any other Christian School is right for everyone, I went to Georgia Tech for my engineering degree because I thought (and still do) that they had a better engineering program, but the point is that Christian Colleges across our country do just a good if not better at education in almost every category. I will grant you that you may have to go to a state school for graduate or medical school.

Now as far as salary at Christian vs. State schools, you would have to look at that school by school. A lot of Christian College professors look at their jobs as more of a ministry and are willing to work for less in order to avoid the secular college atmosphere. What is the difference between a private Christian College and any other private college? How do you think Duke and Emory pay their professors? It is not with government funds.

Back to the subject matter of faith based groups accepting government money remember this; GOVERNMENT MONEY IS NEVER FREE. If you accept government money you will have to accept government interference into the way you operate. If you are doing God’s work don’t look to Caesar to pay for it. You will loose your freedom.

 

I believe individuals, and the private organizations to which they choose to contribute, should handle charitable work in America. I don't believe the government should be involved. When mandatory taxes are used to collect funding then control of spending is lost and the benefits become entitlements passed out in exchange for votes. People can scream and demand that the government give them their due regardless the cost. Other issues besides needs and merits become supreme. When voluntary funds are used to collect funding then they can be withdrawn if not used to the satisfaction of the donor and there is no entitlement to such funds. The person receiving the help needs to understand from whom it comes and that it is not mandated by government. The closer to home it's handled the better.