<p>recently I've been to a huge, city known church that has many events going on. I saw on their website though, almost everywhre I clicked, a $5 tag next to any "discussion" or "get-together" they have going on.</p>
<p>then it hit me: do most Churches just want your cash and therefore put on a happy face and greet you when you come in and try to welcome you in their program...or is money not even an issue to them? what do you know from experience?</p>
<p>it's sad that money has to be so many organizations' objective rather than a cohesive and relaxed, laid-back place to be with people.</p>
<p>i know thats all my old church wanted. One time, when they didnt get enough in the offering, they locked the doors and preached about how people werent giving enough to the lord and would not let us go home until they got a certain amount.</p>
<p>Any good church will let you pray with them without demanding monetary donations, but if you are with a church for a while over time, it would be very un-Christian like to not give them any money at all.</p>
<p>haha 13lueflame...i'm sorry about that. i know what those are like.</p>
<p>also, speaking of churches, has anyone here ever been to those megachurches, where those huge pastors (like joel osteen) speak? those seem so weird/amazing at the same time.</p>
<p>Maybe give like a one or two time donation, but after that, you shouldn't be obligated to give more money to join such "events" (like the discussion or whatever). If there was a big bbq going on then ok, maybe a small fee could apply, but when get-togethers come around, I don't think they should make you pay or anything. Money sucks, why does it always have to come in the picture?! Gosh!</p>
<p>Keeping a church running costs money. But I would be wary of churches that require the congregation to shell out; that is, if you don't give you are not welcome. As a Catholic, I have never encountered this. The Catholic Church understands that the faithful come from all walks of life, from the richest of the rich to the poorest of the poor. If you can afford to give, you should give (it is how the priests, deacons, parish staff, and the bills get paid); if you can't afford it, don't even feel guilty about it. It's not a problem.</p>
<p>A priest once told me that he would much rather have poor people who really believe filling up the pews and not give any money, than a bunch of rich people who attend mostly out of habit and give loads of cash. The former is a much greater reward to the parish than the latter.</p>
<p>^Yeah, but one benefit that I learned in my Catholic high school's religion class is that the Catholic Church could run with out any donations at all because of the interest they get from the money and valuables they have already accumulated over all these centurys.</p>
<p>The Catholic Church in Rome does have a lot of money, yes...but, most individual Catholic churches are not particularly wealthy. The church I go to around my house usually makes a SMALL profit, which then goes to improvement projects for the church/rectory, to the affiliated school, and to charity projects. The church I go to at my cabin is lucky to break even at the end of the year, as it is in a much poorer area, but the local residents usually devote extra time and effort into organizing events (such as pot lucks with free will offerings) and raising money. Any extra money goes to helping people less fortunate. Maybe some churches are just in it for the money, but, in my experience, none of the churches I have ever attended (Catholic and Lutheran) have required that donations be made. I wouldn't go to any churhc that did.</p>
<p>^Oh, I was talking about the Roman Catholic Church in its entirety and mainly the Vatican. They have mucho mucho trinkets and riches. (Did I just say trinkets?)</p>
