Is taking from the charity box at church "stealing"?

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Philosophy Explorer
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Is taking from the charity box at church "stealing"?

Post by Philosophy Explorer »

While the money is lying inside the box, who does it belong to? Not the donor (anymore) because he freely gave the money to be put towards some purpose. Not the pastor of the church nor the church itself because that money is intended for some further purpose. And not the intended beneficiaries because the money wasn't applied.

So how can taking money from the box be considered stealing?

PhilX
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attofishpi
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Re: Is taking from the charity box at church "stealing"?

Post by attofishpi »

Philosophy Explorer wrote:While the money is lying inside the box, who does it belong to? Not the donor (anymore) because he freely gave the money to be put towards some purpose. Not the pastor of the church nor the church itself because that money is intended for some further purpose. And not the intended beneficiaries because the money wasn't applied.

So how can taking money from the box be considered stealing?

PhilX
Yes its stealing - once it is in the charity box it is the church's money to donate to whatever charity they see fit.

Love this scene:- Coming to America
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bOtjHJqTTNQ
Philosophy Explorer
Posts: 5621
Joined: Sun Aug 31, 2014 7:39 am

Re: Is taking from the charity box at church "stealing"?

Post by Philosophy Explorer »

attofishpi wrote:
Philosophy Explorer wrote:While the money is lying inside the box, who does it belong to? Not the donor (anymore) because he freely gave the money to be put towards some purpose. Not the pastor of the church nor the church itself because that money is intended for some further purpose. And not the intended beneficiaries because the money wasn't applied.

So how can taking money from the box be considered stealing?

PhilX
Yes its stealing - once it is in the charity box it is the church's money to donate to whatever charity they see fit.

Love this scene:- Coming to America
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bOtjHJqTTNQ
So if the church doesn't donate, then that money remains with the church which means the church is stealing.

PhilX
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attofishpi
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Location: Orion Spur
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Re: Is taking from the charity box at church "stealing"?

Post by attofishpi »

Philosophy Explorer wrote:
attofishpi wrote:
Philosophy Explorer wrote:While the money is lying inside the box, who does it belong to? Not the donor (anymore) because he freely gave the money to be put towards some purpose. Not the pastor of the church nor the church itself because that money is intended for some further purpose. And not the intended beneficiaries because the money wasn't applied.

So how can taking money from the box be considered stealing?

PhilX
Yes its stealing - once it is in the charity box it is the church's money to donate to whatever charity they see fit.

Love this scene:- Coming to America
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bOtjHJqTTNQ
So if the church doesn't donate, then that money remains with the church which means the church is stealing.

PhilX
The occasional times iv'e bothered to sit through the ritual of a Catholic Mass - there is two separate boxes - actually bags - one is for donations to the church - its upkeep and i guess payments to priests and the other is for the charities the church are assisting.

But yes, if the church kept the donations for charity box, then certainly they are stealing.
Philosophy Explorer
Posts: 5621
Joined: Sun Aug 31, 2014 7:39 am

Re: Is taking from the charity box at church "stealing"?

Post by Philosophy Explorer »

attofishpi wrote:
Philosophy Explorer wrote:
attofishpi wrote:
Yes its stealing - once it is in the charity box it is the church's money to donate to whatever charity they see fit.

Love this scene:- Coming to America
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bOtjHJqTTNQ
So if the church doesn't donate, then that money remains with the church which means the church is stealing.

PhilX
The occasional times iv'e bothered to sit through the ritual of a Catholic Mass - there is two separate boxes - actually bags - one is for donations to the church - its upkeep and i guess payments to priests and the other is for the charities the church are assisting.

But yes, if the church kept the donations for charity box, then certainly they are stealing.
Then time is a factor and the question becomes when does the church donate the money and to whom?

PhilX
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