The "giving" party? Okay, maybe not so much

[john doe]

Seems the Bidens gave less than 1.5% of their income to charity last year. The Obamas were slightly more giving with almost 5.5%. Seems to me that these people want to envcourage charity, but don't want to participate themselves. Why is that?

Story here: Bidens below average in charitable giving - Washington Times

[MarginOfError]

Seems the Bidens gave less than 1.5% of their income to charity last year. The Obamas were slightly more giving with almost 5.5%. Seems to me that these people want to envcourage charity, but don't want to participate themselves. Why is that?

Story here: Bidens below average in charitable giving - Washington Times

The story states that the Obamas gave 5.9% to charity, and that the national average ranges from 3-5%. So if you want to accuse someone of not participating in charity, then you should exclude the Obamas and focus on the Bidens.

[Wingnut]

Excluding tithing, how much do you give each year to charity?

[talisyn]

Tithing really shouldn't count as 'charity', since it is basically a requirement for temple attendance.

[hordak]

Tithing really shouldn't count as 'charity', since it is basically a requirement for temple attendance.

Tithing isn't charity

Tithing funds are always used for the Lord's purposes—to build and maintain temples and meetinghouses, to sustain missionary work, to educate Church members, and to carry on the work of the Lord throughout the world.

http://www.lds.net/forums/learn-about-mormon-church/30705-paying-tithing-equivalent-donating-charities.html

[FunkyTown]

Seems the Bidens gave less than 1.5% of their income to charity last year. The Obamas were slightly more giving with almost 5.5%. Seems to me that these people want to envcourage charity, but don't want to participate themselves. Why is that?

Story here: Bidens below average in charitable giving - Washington Times

Obama gives $1.4 million Nobel prize to 10 charities | Reuters

And this year, just based on the money he gave up from the Nobel prize alone, he's given up $1, 700, 000 to charities. And last year, since he earned $2, 700, 000 and his wife earned $66, 000, you're saying that he donated over $150, 000 to charity?

That's pretty amazing. Thanks for pointing out that in the past 365 days, he's given nearly $2, 000, 000 to charity. I'm glad you respect his charitable donations so much. Kudos, JD!

[john doe]

I absolutely count tithing as a charitable tax deduction on my taxes. The government says I can. Are you saying the Bidens and Obamas are not deducting tithes to their churches?

[talisyn]

They donate more than me, percentage-wise. *sigh*

[Wingnut]

Tithing really shouldn't count as 'charity', since it is basically a requirement for temple attendance.

Tithing isn't charity

That's kind-of my point. If we exclude tithing (which I daresay many view more as semi-compulsory or a general requirement of our religion as opposed to a generic good-hearted charitable contribution), do most of us donate more that 5.5 (or whatever) percent? If not, then how can we justifiably criticize others who don't?

[Just_A_Guy]

Tithing isn't charity

But neither, one might argue, is the National Congress of Black Women or the 19th Street Baptist Church.

Tithing to the LDS Church is only a quid-pro-quo for temple attendance, if the giver looks at it thus. Personally, I don't; but I understand those who argue the other way.

[john doe]

Obama gives $1.4 million Nobel prize to 10 charities | Reuters

And this year, just based on the money he gave up from the Nobel prize alone, he's given up $1, 700, 000 to charities. And last year, since he earned $2, 700, 000 and his wife earned $66, 000, you're saying that he donated over $150, 000 to charity?

That's pretty amazing. Thanks for pointing out that in the past 365 days, he's given nearly $2, 000, 000 to charity. I'm glad you respect his charitable donations so much. Kudos, JD!

Hey, I'm nothing if not even-handed.

[hordak]

But neither, one might argue, is the National Congress of Black Women or the 19th Street Baptist Church.

Tithing to the LDS Church is only a quid-pro-quo for temple attendance, if the giver looks at it thus. Personally, I don't; but I understand those who argue the other way.

Yea my point wasn't to discuss tithing but in another thread, the one i linked it was established tithing isn't charity (in the fact it pays for building upkeep etc and not direct help for the needy, we know it is legally) and Jon Doe himself said

Fast offerings DO go to provide relief to those in need. You could donate to the fast offering fund safe in the knowledge that it is indeed helping others locally and internationally who stand in need of it. I believe you can also donate directly to the Church's humanitarian funds.

So i'm with wingnut on this

That's kind-of my point. If we exclude tithing (which I daresay many view more as semi-compulsory or a general requirement of our religion as opposed to a generic good-hearted charitable contribution), do most of us donate more that 5.5 (or whatever) percent? If not, then how can we justifiably criticize others who don't?

If you subtract church tithe money $200 for President Obama and 10% tithe for your average member i would be willing to bet he beats most members charitable contributions.

So unless we are donating 5.9% of our income to fast offering, and the humanitarian fund we shouldn't criticize

[bytor2112]

Good for Barry..he knows..as do we all...that he didn't deserve the prize and more than Al Goooorr did. That being said, as the President he knew/knows that charitable contributions would make the news...unlike the afore mentioned Al Goooorr. or am I mistakenly attributing stinginess to Al Goooor when it was really John F Kerry?

[FunkyTown]

I'm sensing some bitterness, Bytor.

Just so I can confirm, are you saying that if someone handed you $1.4 million dollars, that you would say 'Well, to heck with this! I'm giving all this money to the poor!'

Because, if you're saying you would, I call shenanigans.

Good for Barry..he knows..as do we all...that he didn't deserve the prize and more than Al Goooorr did. That being said, as the President he knew/knows that charitable contributions would make the news...unlike the afore mentioned Al Goooorr. or am I mistakenly attributing stinginess to Al Goooor when it was really John F Kerry?