Thanks for that link. CT is in the same boat as many Christian Ministers - they know about the abuses and the dodgy hermenutics, but they refuse to take an objective viewpoint.

Russell Kelly was refused an opportunity to write his perspectives recently - yet they will deal with other sensitive topics such as abortion, gay marraige, oneness pentecostalism … seems you can print what you want but make sure you don’t upset the funding …

One of the letters was a stand-out

“Tithing is a good idea, and so are sabbatical years and Jubilee Years. Do you know of any church that teaches tithing that also follows these two practices? I wouldn’t mind paying the tithe, as long as the church will pay for my year off with pay every 7th year,and pay off all my debts every 49th year. Yes, I know that tithes were actually more than ten percent, and offerings were separate in the Old Testament times; but they were supporting a whole theocratic system of government that we do not have today, many of those functions being taken over by Social Security and other taxes we pay. Another question on the tithe is: does it go to the church you attend or to other groups? I would think the local church should get most, since you are receiving a direct benefit and have your direct involvement there, whilst in the case of outside organizations, you have little control and less involvement in their work (and we all know of cases of abuse of the monies).

Yours,
Randy Koper Romans 4:8″

you might appreciate this link
http://www.christianitytoday.com/history/newsletter/2003/jun6.html