Based on Tithe Thread...

[mickeyfan2]

Ok on a more serious note the candle lighting is a Catholic thing. It's not the donation that bothers me. It's that they wouldn't be happy with me being a non-catholic taking part in a Catholic ritual. Or maybe it is more that I would feel weird about it. I have been shunned from participating in other Catholic traditions/rituals so maybe my vision is tainted?

Other than receiving Communion what have you been shunned from? Nobody takes membership cards to allow you to light a candle. I would have lite the candle and said a quiet prayer and then left.

 

[mickeyfan2]

I bet you are alot of fun to party with

 

[mrsltg]

Ok on a more serious note the candle lighting is a Catholic thing. It's not the donation that bothers me. It's that they wouldn't be happy with me being a non-catholic taking part in a Catholic ritual. Or maybe it is more that I would feel weird about it. I have been shunned from participating in other Catholic traditions/rituals so maybe my vision is tainted?

Well, Communion you can't receive and as a non-Catholic I don't know why you'd want to (general you). However, lighting a candle and thinking/praying good thoughts about someone/something is fine.

In reference to your OP, I would donate to another religion depending upon what the money is for. If the local temple were raising funds for their kids to go on a pilgrimage to Isreal I'd happily hand over the money. If another faith were raising money for their youth group/charity/etc, I'd do it then, too. Only if it were something I specifically disagreed with would I withold.

 

[jimmiej]

I would donate to a church I did not belong to if, they followed the same doctrine. I would NOT donate to a temple/church who worshipped another god.

Ditto!

 

[cardaway]

Since we are invited to different church functions each year, we do it it all the time.

 

[barkley]

kinda ot-but kinda not-

would anyone make a purchasing decision for goods or services if the bsns. was owned, funded by and benefited a religion other than their own.

i ask because we have lots of 'church owned' bsns. in a nearby community-not privatly owned by members of the church-totaly church owned and staffed (grocery stores, fast foods, hardwares....).

 

[disneymom3]

To answer your original question--I would have donated the money and not lit the candle if you felt you wanted to give more than you had. Well, no I personally would have lit the candle, but since it sounds like you were uncomfortable with the lighting deal than I think how you handled it was just right. I am not Catholic but did grow up as one. The lighting of a candle is usually in rememberance of someone as I recall. Would I light a candle for my dad if I were in a Catholic church? You betcha!

 

[pearlieq]

If I attend services at another church I do make a modest donation. I think of it as an "admission fee" to pay for the service/entertainment/education/life experience that I received while attending.

I probably wouldn't go for any bells & whistles like the candle, but I usually put something in the collection plate or donation box and a thank you for hosting and welcoming me.

Who they're worshipping doesn't really affect my willingness to donate. If I'm attending a church service it means I'm reasonably confident that they're not sacrificing puppies in the basement. I figure the money I'm donating would either be going to keep the lights on or to fund some kind of community project.

Does a hot meal or warm coat provided to the homeless help any differently if it's given in honor of Allah instead of God?

 

[Cool-Beans]

I've given money to Jewish-run programs, because I think they are doing worthwhile work. Doesn't mean I'm converting or anything. If you feel it goes against your personal beliefs, then you shouldn't do it. If you just don't care, then do it to make MIL happy. That's my opinion, anyway.

 

[goofygirl]

Yes I have donated to a Catholic Church (as a non- Catholic) . Some Catholic cathedrals are so beautiful and I love visiting them. I also love lighting candles. I feel happy to make a donation. It' s a way of saying "Thank you for letting me enjoy your peaceful, beautiful church!"

 

[cybrkitn]

Actually, we do. We partnered with a church in Virginia whose pastor is our nephew. Nephew's church is Assemblies of God and we are Lutheran. We didn't partner with his church because he is our nephew. We felt God telling us to after praying on it.

 

[MyGoofy26]

I don't mind donating, but I'd feel awkward about anything "ceremonial" like lighting a candle. We went to the Vatican while in Italy and since we're not Catholic, we simply walked past or respectfully stood to the side as people prayed to various statues and things around St. Peter's.

 

[3DisneyKids]

Yes, when visiting another church we put money in the collection plate. I have been to St. Pat's many times (not Catholic either) and I often light a candle.