[JohnnyM]

There is a danger in forcing people to do things in the church (like tithing, fasting, etc) because it can lead to legalism and lose life. Lose revelation. Do it because you feel God is asking it of you. Do it because it will draw you closer to God.

JM

[IMRight]

There is a danger in forcing people to do things in the church (like tithing, fasting, etc) because it can lead to legalism and lose life. Lose revelation. Do it because you feel God is asking it of you. Do it because it will draw you closer to God.

I think most Catholics would agree with most of your post but disagree that they are being "forced" by the Church to make sacrifices. As an example, in addittion to fasting and meatless Fridays during Lent, Catholics also choose to make some other sacrifice(s) of there own choosing because it "draws us closer to God".

Of course, we also believe that if God is asking something of us, the Church usually can be found asking the same thing.