Pearls Before Swine by Stephan Pastis for June 09, 2014

The only unbelievable thing in this strip is Rat feeling guilty.

Wasn’t aware that Rat ever attended church. Casinos, yes, but never church…

This seems a common joke. Seen it several times in sitcoms. Wonder how often it really happens.

I know he’s condescending and controversial, but I like the late Pastor Arnold Murray’s philosophy on tithing. He said, “God doesn’t send out beggars.” They do not “pass the plate” in his congregation. And in his TV ministry, the only mention of donations is at the end of the program, when either he or the announcer quickly rattles off something like, “We are brought to you by your tithes and offerings. If we’ve helped you, won’t you help us keep coming to you?”

As a christian, I’m going to try to give this a positive spin: On one hand, Rat not going to church, and its discovered that he was stealing from church. On the other hand, he was stealing from church, made a point to remove himself from that temptation, and when pressed, honestly admitted to his crime.When you factor in what Rat is like normally… well, I’m putting this down as a win for the god team.

Rat’s reasoning is impeccable. Pastor-guy (Pastor Bob?) can’t refute Rat’s eloquent interpretation….

You really don’t pass up any opportunity to evangelize for YOUR team, do you?

well Rat’s on his way down below. like we didn’t see that coming

This seems true.

It takes a church…

Now I know who kept taking my checks out of the basket.

“God” – so omnipotent, “He” needs YOUR money to stop YOU from doing what “He” doesn’t want you to do.

churches are the biggest casinos ever. want to solve world hunger and poverty, tax religion.

Or you can just quickly stick your hand in and rattle the money around some to make it sound right. Same as with blind beggars.

Ubersnerk!

Reminds me of a 1940’s cartoon on the back page of the ol’ Liberty magazine; “Hardtack”, an early version of Dennis the Menace.. As they passed the plate to him, he asks; “How much should I take?”

Yes. Rat isn’t deceiving weak minds to subsidize the evangelists living out of fear or belief in a fiction, and so might inspire him to get an honest job.

In casinos, the house sets the odds.

With that remark, this strip is on The Lyons Foundation’s chopping block

agreed, @vanpelt, agreed.

Never taken money, but I’ve made change.

Rat’s going to hell.

But I guess everybody knew that.

xxx

@Number Three—When Rat dies he’s gonna be reincarnated as the fifth child in The Family Circus…that’s worse than hell!

The method is the bone-of-contention here. Tithing should not be make into a public display.

Since Israel was essentially a church state, tithing was a de facto tax. The temple was supposed to see to the welfare of the needy, taking care of such as widows and orphans. This country has its own system for that, which you are required to pay into. I’m not saying one should not contribute to a church, but it is not really an obligation anymore. But if you can afford it, and want to, by all means, do.

And to all retired folks, consider this:The money you are drawing on now has already been taxed, and if you have been tithing all these years, you need not do it again.

It’s these preachers and pastors swindlers that coerce these people, who are living on their retirement, into going hungry in order to pay their “debt” to their church that really pi$$ me off, and give God a bad name. (Uh,oh, Now I’m angry.)

Spot on and why feel guilty it was a gift from god.

Interesting….

Churches need money to operate, like just about everything else – it’s a fact of life. Tithes are giving to God out of recognition that everything comes from Him anyway, even your ability to work and ALL of the pay you earn. He doesn’t specify that everyone give the same AMOUNT, only the same PERCENTAGE. Tithes are meant specifically for the continuance of ministry through the church. Offerings, on the other hand, are over and above the tithe, out of thankfulness for God’s goodness. Offerings can be given in many ways – to the church or other good organization or directly to someone in need. Both tithes and offerings are to be given cheerfully, not begrudgingly. It is absolutely true that giving should not be made into a show of SELF-righteousness but giving openly can be inspiration or at least a model for others. Jesus Himself pointed out the woman with two coins, so obviously she humbly gave openly. Churches need money for helping others, feeding the poor, counseling those who cannot afford to pay for counseling, keeping clothes on hand for those in need, crisis closets, etc. Most churches I’ve been involved with through the years have done all of these good works and NONE of the pastors of those churches made what they deserved to make for all the hours they spend visiting the sick, bereaved, and imprisoned, building relationships with families of the congregation, counseling people, holding weddings and funerals, spending time with church class functions and other church groups, taking calls at all hours, etc. If someone supports, through their attendance and money, someone who preaches and focuses on attendance and money, whose fault is that? Christ taught that we should GIVE money, not BEG for it.

I love PBS and I enjoy the humor in today’s strip. Some comments, though, show a lack of understanding of the ministry of giving. We give generously because God gives generously to us every single day.

Gee, I thought that was a tip for coming and listening to a boring speech and badly sung music…

Churches and casinos are not the same dang thing one is a apple the other is an orange.Tithing is something done for God while gambling is playing with fire.Casino is in the category of entertainment, the other is a place to gather with other that share you’re beliefs.

By that logic swimming at a water peak and jet skiing on a ocean, river, etc is the same thing if you use the logic I see one similarity so there for they are the same thing when really they aren’t.

30th comment

How about calling it direct charity