Tithing Adds to Woes of U.S. Homeowners

Canada.com (09/22/08); Carey, Nick
Housing counselors say they often have to bring up the issue of tithing to borrowers who are struggling to keep up the payments on their homes. They say tithing is a sensitive topic, considered to be a mandatory item by many homeowners; but many of those who faithfully give 10 percent of their income to their church are in the lower income brackets. Some borrowers have been willing to give up their homes rather than stop tithing. "For those people, a contract with God is worth more than their home," says Roger Oldham, a member of the executive committee of the Southern Baptist Convention.