A tithe is money given to God.
If I attempt to beg the tax man to cut me a break on how much I owe (based on my income bracket) by asking for an allowance in the allowance in the amount I gave to God, the government is in effect paying the tithe.
I hate taxes. I want to pay less (Cruz’s 10% flat tax sounds about right) but God placed this government in authority over us, like it or not. As this government demands you pay tax of X percent, you need to pay X percent. Granted deductions are a great way to be able to pay less than X, however I will not use it to pay what is due God.
That’s for me to decide of course. I bring it up only to offer and alternative to the attempt to immune the character and religious convictions of Senator Cruz, not to cast blame or point fingers.
Tithe what you are led to tithe. Claim it on your taxes. But don’t blame Cruz for NOT doing so and use it as an indication on his spiritual character. Folks who do are not aware of the entire situation or all the facts which are possibly at play.
No, the government is not in effect paying the tithe.
It is forbearing from taxing you on the money YOU earned and paid the tithe with.
You talk the talk of “liberals.”
You do not have to BEG anything; as the government of the country you've chosen to stay in ALLOWS you to do this freely.