Most people associate tithing with Jewish and Christian faiths. But the practice of giving 10 percent of one?s income to the church or to religious causes predates the Jewish and Christian traditions.
Ancient societies including the Greeks collected tithes to pay for shrines for their gods. Governments grabbed a tenth (measly by today?s standards) to pay for operations. According to a 2003 article in Christian History, “Some scholars believe ancient cultures hit on the seemingly arbitrary figure of one-tenth because they often did calculations on their fingers.”
Regardless of origin, it?s hard to argue against giving a portion of one?s income to those in need. Studies show giving money and time increases happiness and health – aside from benefiting recipients. If that is the case, why should the religious reap all of the benefits of giving? Why shouldn?t the atheists and agnostics among us institute a secular tithe? Many do give generously.
But statistics show that the religious over-represent themselves in the practice. According to the 2006 book by Syracuse University Professor Arthur C. Brooks, “Who Really Cares: The Surprising Truth About Compassionate Conservatism,” the religious are much more generous than secularists. And relatedly, self-professed conservatives, who are more likely to go to church, give a lot more to all causes than self-professed liberals ? 30 percent more.
And the difference has nothing to do with income, as Brooks found the liberal families earned about 6 percent more than conservative families and “conservative families gave more than liberal families within every income class, from poor to middle class to rich.”
Those statistics should make Maryland, a progressive state by all accounts, including the most recent elections, blush. Supporting government programs to help the poor is not the same as donating money from one?s paycheck.
Jesus said to a rich young man, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have, and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” That would be impossible for most of us to imagine. But it is an excellent model.
At the very least, instead of arguing about whether to say Happy Holidays or Merry Christmas this year, why can?t we debate which charities ? of all stripes ? deserve our dollars. That would be the most inclusive way to celebrate the spirit of the season.
