Thoughtful Thursday: Tithing

Hey kidlets. I've got a lot of things I need to talk about.

List for accountability's sake:
- How busy I've been and what my real opinion of "busy" is.
- A pulse check on my religion. That me in the corner...
- The red herring of the Republican party
- Closed-minded prejudice and the rumors it births
- A follow up from my performance review
- A Roo-update, as she's the real reason you're all here.

But today, somehow, I have the mustard to talk bout tithing.

Tithing: one-tenth part of something, paid as a contribution to a religious organization or compulsory tax to government.

I haven't called myself a part of the little-c church (a local, physical community) in years. I haven't called myself a part of the big-C Church (the world-wide community of the like-minded) in at least a year. I just don't think I've ever declared it to anyone. But that's another post about me in the corner, losing my religion. 

I wanted to talk about tithing (or offering, or putting pennies in the collection plate, or mission trips, or serving in Sunday school, or not taking vaccines, or praying the gay away, or trusting your pastor more than your financial/medical/psychological adviser... deep breath).

I barely tithed when I was in the church (somehow didn't see how my mega-church of traders, lawyers and blinged-up film makers needed my $20/week), but now I am so averse to giving to organizations that have a religious motive that I feel like I want to pull out of some long term commitments. 

For instance, I have a friend to whom I give for her annual salary. She is a "missionary" with Campus Crusade for Christ*. I feel that giving to her salary only promotes pushy evangelism. I am trying really hard to have no opinion of anyone's religion. But as a former insider I feel its is not only dishonest that I support Cru's mission but it is also hurtful because I'm starting to resent the recurring charges and call for prayer support. 

I wonder if taking this money away from her will cause her to lose her job. Or if the people she's disciplining are really getting help from her (emotional support, stable friendship, a meal, etc.).

And remember when I felt torn by giving to World Vision to support Syrian refugees? When all war is caused by religion. 

You heard right. Read it again. I thought it before. Bill Maher (however crass) has said it. And a sweet, Alabama-born veteran I met on the plane to Seattle last week, also named Bill, reaffirmed it. 

I have no problem with giving. In fact, I love to give. The Mr. and I set aside money each month and enjoy spending it on people who need it and causes that make the world better. 

I just wonder if I should take that money out of religious causes and give it to Kiva or UNICEF or Paws. 

What would you do? 

Who would/do you give to? 

Does an organization's religious affiliation affect your giving?

*Never mind that the organization is trying to "take back" the word "crusade" as if it wasn't a self-righteous Jesus-mask for stealing people's land, lives and rights.

UPDATE// No Way 'Round It

Everyone and their congressmen has an opinion on Syria. Even not having an opinion is an opinion.

I don't know what the right thing to do is. I don't believe "punishing" Assad is going to fix anything. I think punishment without behavior modification is no real solution. I don't think that America can do anything ace-in-the-whole-right here.

Bother.

It's all too heavy and I just want to take a Syrian family in and make them chicken salad sandwiches and help them rock their little refugee babies to sleep. They need all of it but how could one eat or sleep after seeing what they've seen.

Bother.

And I wanted to give to the Red Cross if they had a "Give to Syria" button because they are adept at giving aid in hard places and not affiliating with a church/religion. We need a lot less religion in this story. God, fine. Faith, sure. Love, definitely. But not big-R-Religion.

Alas World Vision had the only way I found (leave a comment if you know of another) to give directly to the refuges in Lebanon. Food, shelter, some joy for the kids. Ok, ok, World Vision. I'll give to you. Even if you are connected to the Church.

I guess that's what the Church was always supposed to be. The Red Cross of free sandwiches and joy for children and whatnot. Too bad it's not always/usually and too bad Religion is such a heartache.

Bother.

Here's your $100, WV.

UPDATE:
I found this organization too. They have an excellent Charity Navigator rating and appear to have clear goals for refugees.

One More Gift Guide

Gifts for the person who has everything. All with high charity ratings.

Kiva - Loans that change lives.

Polaris Project - A world without slavery.

Heifer International - If you give a village a cow...

Samaritan's Purse - The one with the Christmas shoe boxes.

PAWS - The unkennel shelter. Right now there is a dachshund puppy named Randy and a beagle named Greg... I think it's a sign I need another one!

The NY Times thinks it's cool to give.

Beverage pairing? Whatever washes down humble pie.

Gift Guide: Foodie Gifts

My site broke and that's why I haven't been blogging.

Psych. J/K. I'm just not that into you.

But, like picking off a scab, I can't help but indulge in some self-mutilation and continue on with this gift guide.

Onto the foodie portion!

Bing (curly fry cutter!)

Source: fab.com via J on Pinterest

Bang (namesake ice cream)

Source: jenis.com via J on Pinterest

Boom (coffee accouterments)

Source: fab.com via J on Pinterest

Done. (DIY cheese)

Source: etsy.com via J on Pinterest

Helpin' Elsa in El Salvador

Thanks, BLill, for joining Kiva. I used the credit Kiva gave me when you joined to lend to a shopkeeper in El Salvador!

What do you give the person who has everything? The gift that literally keeps on giving.

Kiva is a non-profit organization with a mission to connect people through lending to alleviate poverty. Leveraging the internet and a worldwide network of microfinance institutions, Kiva lets individuals lend as little as $25 to help create opportunity around the world. Learn more about how it works.

Want to help entrepreneurs around the world? Use this link to join Kiva!

Giving Advice: Microlending That Matters

Have an extra $25 in your pocket? Give it to a microlending charity like Kiva.

Unlike any other charity, you won't have to give a man a fish, or even teach him to fish - you're just loaning him money, interest free, to buy a boat and a net.

I first heard about this charity when I got married. Mr. S and I asked that our friends and family honor our marriage by giving to their favorite charity and telling us about it. We got an array of responses and a duo of friends gave us a starter loan in Kiva.

That loan money that they donated for us has been repaid and relent almost 2x now. It's very rewarding and truly the gift that keeps on giving.

And Kiva's getting some press!

via Kiva's website.

Leap For Loaves: Put Your Leap Day To Good Use

Use this app to fight hunger in the Midwest.

Leap For Loaves! uses a smart phone app to calculate how high you jump. It then takes the total jumps of all users and donates money to Second Harvest Heartland.


So go on and JUMP!