TAXES AND TITHES

During most of human history, people paid both taxes and tithes.

Taxes went to the government to do things like build roads, public buildings, pay armies, etc.

Tithes went to the religious order to which a person belonged to do things like build temples, hospitals and help the poor.

Government and religion were usually closely tied, in that the major religion in any area almost always held that the person in power was a ruler because God or the gods had anointed him/her with power.

To tithe means to give a tenth of your earnings. To tithe to the church means that you gave 10% of your earnings to the church.

Generally, you also gave 10% of your income in taxes. Historically, your taxes were NOT lower because you were paying a tithe to the church.

If you did not pay your taxes, you could be imprisoned. If you did not pay your tithe, you could be excommunicated, which meant that no church member could do business with you.

Now, most people do not give anywhere near 10% of their earnings to church and/or charity. Your taxes must now cover many of the things the churches used to do. (Please remember that charity is tax deductible.)

But you complain about taxes as if you were still paying tithes.

Did you think that roads, armies, care of the disabled, feeding the hungry, appeared by magic and not through government?