The Christian Church in Sweden

Column by Bishop John Shelby Spong on 5 October 2005 1 Comments
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Question

"As a recovering Roman Catholic, Jesuit educated, who still
reveres much of the theology and the theologians in that
church, I have been on a long journey of discovery. I did,
in fact, discover you as an important part of that journey,
in an issue of the Science of Mind Magazine. I still believe
in the concept of tithing; that you should contribute a
percentage of your income to the source(s) of your spiritual
enlightenment and well-being. Since you fulfill a
significant part of that role in my life, I would like to
send a portion of my tithes to you for the work that you do.
How and where would I do that? Advise."

Answer

Thank you for your unusual letter and offer. I honestly
do not know how to answer you. I do not believe it is proper
for money to be sent to an individual with no accountability
required. Tithes should go to tax exempt situations or to
things that the donor values. Therefore, let me make these
suggestions:

1. The organizations most in touch with the things I seek
to do are: The Center for Progressive Christianity in
Cambridge, Massachusetts and the Jesus Seminar in Santa Rosa,
California. Both are proper tax-exempt organizations and
both do very good work. The address of the Center for
Progressive Christianity is 99 Brattle Street, Cambridge,
Mass 02138 (att. The Rev. James Adams) and the Jesus Seminar
is Westar Institute, 2120 Bluebell Drive, Santa Rosa,
California, 94503.

2. Christine and I, who also believe in tithing, have set
up a charitable trust fund with Fidelity, called 'The
Christine and John Spong Charitable Trust' to which we
contribute annually and from which funds are donated each
year to things we recommend. The recipient of these gifts
can only be a tax-exempt entity as defined under the Federal
tax code. We use that fund to support many of the conference
centers and churches that we are privileged to visit each
year. These are the places that are thinking outside the box
of traditional religious systems. A check made out to the
'Christine and John Spong Charitable Trust at Fidelity
Investments' would be appropriate, for the money would then
be institutionally managed, it would never be in control of
an individual, and it would support those places that are
doing the things that this column supports.

3. The final alternative would be for you to contribute
directly to those things that appeal to you. I regard giving
as one of life's privileges. Thank you for forcing me to
think about this,

John Shelby Spong


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THE SINS OF SCRIPTURE
Exposing the Bible's Texts of Hate to Reveal the God of Love
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