Mitt the Tither...

That, incredibly dull thud we heard nationally a few days ago, was the release of GOP presidential hopeful Mitt Romney's 2010 and 2011 tax returns.  The louder thud we heard, was, at least by many accounts, was his opportunity to become the GOP presidential nominee.


Mitt's returns indicate that he made over $42 million mostly from returns and dividends from investments he made several years ago (he hasn't released tax returns for those years.  I wonder why?  Really, I do), and paid just under 15 percent of his income in taxes.


While I pay a far higher tax rate than Mitt, I really can't knock his hustle.  There is something uniquely American about finding a legal way to pay less taxes, as he has found a legal way to give less of his money to the federal government, good for him.


Less American however, is the fact that Mitt is a steadfast tither to the Mormon church, giving over $4 million to it.  In the Mormon faith, tithing distinguishes the more faithful believer from the believer.  It is an integral part of their theology and their history.  In fact, Mormons are called on to fast one Sunday a month and donate the cost of what they would have spent on the meal they did not eat to a relief fund.


This is pretty radical stuff.  While over 80 percent of Christians donate money to a church, only about eight percent of Christians tithe and about 20 percent give money to charitable causes other than the church. 


Now, I am not convinced that tithing is for everyone, but this kind of set up--the one Mitt and the Mormon church has, could really help churches of other Christian faiths (Yes, Mitt, Mormons are Christians) do more benevolent work and community building.