Philosophy Now Forum

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

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

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

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.

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