"The European Union has an important role to play in helping the Vatican come into full compliance; the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), set up by the G-7 to combat money laundering and terrorist financing, has a responsibility as well. The Vatican Bank's role is to safeguard and administer property intended for works of religion or charity. The Vatican Museums contain roughly 70,000 works." Australia's Big 4 charitable banks also buy artworks and give charitable interest to needy account-holders . Robbing Peter to pay Paul is a matter of faith , hope and charity.

At least I feel as if
I am contributing something towards those
worse off who need help.
Foxy,
Well, as long as you feel good !

Ise Mise asked Paul for a reference, my thought behind this thread was daily news headlines about massive fraud
And yes frauds involving celebrities who run charities
But right down to the tin rattlers who walk our streets, learning how much is lost in over heads is depressing.
out right fraud, and theft, is harming our wish to help.

//10%, Paul? Don't tell me Issy, they've been adding the GST and now its 11%, the sly buggers. If you can't trust the Pope, who can you trust!//

Catholics don't tithe. It's only some of the weirder Protestants that are into that.

Individual,

It's not about my feeling good - that I give.

It's the way that I was raised - culture and
religion plays a big part in my life. Don't
they in yours?

Do you trust charities can be countered and compared to if you trust taxes. But with charities people are given the authority to give their money away. With both charities and taxes what happens to the money after you give it (or it's taken away) is no longer up to you.

Before giving to a charity look into it. If you think it's worth supporting, and the charity orginization is trustworthy, then go for it. It is good to have a generous heart.

Not everyone has enough to feel like they can give freely to a charity. Others aren't rich but will live cheaper to support a charity they see as worth while.

What anyone else does with their money usually isn't something that can be judged by you or me. Some people waste their money, while others save it. Some are generous with what they have, while others hold on to a good security and investments. Which is better? To have fun go on vcations, buy expensive things, or to save money and sacrifice living to the fullness for the sake of future plans. Is it better to give generously, or to live in your means but live give little or nothing.

What others do with their money isn't up to you or me. But I will support anyone who has a generous heart.