The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is not the only faith that believes in tithing. Many other Christian churches do, too, though the LDS Church does have one of the strictest doctrines on the subject.
In the Roman Catholic Church, supporting the works of the church is one of its "Seven Precepts," and this includes giving financially. Although tithing itself is recommended but not obligatory, some parishes have traditionally encouraged parishioners to give 10 percent of their income to charity — perhaps 5 percent to the local parish and another 5 percent to a charity of their choice.
According to Joan Loffredo, director of the finance office for the Catholic Diocese of Salt Lake, collection plates are passed during every Mass. Sometimes a second collection plate is passed if extra funds are needed for buildings or special projects.
The Catholic Diocese of Baton Rouge is on the cutting edge of donation technology. It implemented an interactive stewardship and "e-tithing" system earlier this spring. A touch-screen kiosk accepts electronic donations through cash, check or credit card. This system is also accessible through the Internet.
Pastor Mike Gray of Salt Lake's Southeast Baptist Church said tithes and offerings are a "personal choice" and a "free-will offering" among members. He said it's part of a stewardship concept among Southern Baptists.
He notes that Jesus said giving tithes is something we should do (Matthew 23:23). Tithe does mean 10 percent, but it's a personal decision, and no church records on donations, outside records for income tax, are kept.
"No person knows who tithes and who doesn't," Gray said. The pastoral staff doesn't handle the donations; a separate staff does.
"God owns all we have," Gray said. Tithing and donations just involve giving some back.
He also cautioned that Baptists don't want to judge anyone by money and how much they do or don't donate.
"Justice, mercy and love are more important than tithing," he said.
Gray said the church has solid finances. A collection plate is passed during services, but some mail theirs in or put it in a collection at the rear of the chapel.
"We do believe in tithing," said Rev. Steve Goodier of Christ United Methodist Church in Salt Lake. "It's a biblical concept, one we strive toward."
He said Methodists rarely mention the word tithing, but see stewardship as the broad umbrella over that biblical concept.
"The giving of money is one part of stewardship," he said. "Time and talents are other portions."
Goodier said some Methodists do faithfully give 10 percent, and that's what church leaders advise them to do. He agrees that's what tithing is — 10 percent. The "gifts" the church speaks of are donations of less than 10 percent of one's income.
However, he admits it comes down to giving according to their ability. Some new members may be encouraged to give an extra one percent a year until they reach the 10 percent goal. For the poor, he says giving of time can be equally as important to God.
"We grow into it," he said. "It teaches us to become more dependent on God. . . . It's not an obligation. It's a joy. . . . Learn how to be a generous person."
Collection plates are passed in worship services. Some still send their tithes or gifts in the mail, and once a month is when most members donate.
"The goal is to want to give," Goodier said.
Presbyterians also believe in tithing.
"We realize that very few will give 10 percent," said Marv Groote, executive director of the Presbytery of Utah.
He said church members probably average 2 percent to 3 percent of their income in donations, and members are encouraged to pledge what their donation will be once a year.
"We encourage them to incrementally step up and give one-half percent a year or so," Groote said.
Their donations are a free-will offering, and very few in the church know how much anyone gives. A collection plate is passed once a week.
Pastor Steven Klemz of Salt Lake's Zion Lutheran Church (ELCA) said the biblical guideline is to pay tithing.
"Some do, some don't" he said. "The goal is sacrificial giving, a free-will offering."
He said the church teaches members to be generous.
However, Klemz said the main commandments are still to love God and your neighbor. "It's not just a percent," he said.
A collection plate is passed around at services.
Richard Wolf, an elder in the North Salt Lake congregation of the Jehovah's Witnesses, said his faith doesn't have tithing.
"It's a Mosaic law that ended when Jesus died," he said.
For Jehovah's Witnesses, no collection plates are passed, and they are under no obligation to give a specified amount. The faith is supported purely by voluntary donations.
"Seat free. No collections" was an early Jehovah's Witness slogan.
However, members believe that those who can and do give are repaid in spiritual favors.
Rabbi Joshua Aaronson of Temple Har Shalom in Park City said Jewish members do not tithe.
"We're not against it," he said. "But tithing is not the common practice."
Jews believe in tzedakah, which Aaronson said comes form the Hebrew word for righteousness.
"We do what we believe is the right thing to do," he said. No percentages or amounts are specified.
However, "Everyone should give something," he said, and that includes those who may also be receiving charity.
When the faith needs money, members are asked to give according to their means.
Among other religions, Buddhists emphasize the giving of alms to monks or nuns but do not stipulate amounts of giving; Greek Orthodox also emphasizes voluntary stewardship, instead of a specific tithing amount; and Muslims are required to pay zakat — one of the five pillars of Islam and about 2.5 percent of income. Muslims may also pay sadaqah — a voluntary charity contribution.
According to the Encyclopedia of Mormonism, tithing is 10 percent and is the basic contribution that funds activities of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It is considered a biblical doctrine and also one affirmed through modern revelation.
However, a 1970 First Presidency letter stated that "every member of the church is entitled to make his own decision as to what he thinks he owes the Lord and to make payment accordingly."
Only those faithful LDS members who pay a full tithing can receive a temple recommend.
E-mail: lynn@desnews.com