Sometimes a religious leader asking for money is scamming you, sometimes they’re someone just trying to make a living and get fair compensation for their time, work, and materials so that they can pay their bills and continue to provide religious and spiritual services to their community.
We live in a capitalist society. Be critical of where your money is going to, but religious and spiritual leaders have bills to pay and groceries to buy and all the same financial costs that other people and many of them have to cut down on their religious service or quit entirely because they can’t survive without getting a second or third job.
this also applies to religious nonprofits/houses of worship!
Yes, there are scammy and predatory religious institutions. Yes, you should consider what organizations you give to, how transparent they are with their finances, and how they fundraise or collect membership fees. Yes, it’s bad if you feel guilted or pressured to give, especially if the ask is beyond your means. But no, a church/synagogue/mosque/temple/gurdwara/whatever organization isn’t inherently problematic in asking for donations or financial support.
They also need to keep the lights on. It’s not like the electric company says damn, this synagogue is providing Jewish resources for five rural counties, gonna cut them some slack. The water company doesn’t care that a Mosque is facilitating community celebrations every night for a month straight each year. The craft store isn’t giving the church that does affordable preschool the painting supplies for free. The grocery store (or bulk supplier) the gurdwara isn’t giving them food for free even though they might be supplying literally hundreds of meals of week to local people in need. Religious institutions still need money for logistical stuff – food, rent, water, and supplies. And that’s not even getting into staffing – beyond the clergy, who is cooking, cleaning, and teaching?
“Be aware and think critically about where your money goes” doesn’t mean everyone asking is a scammer.
amhrancas 