The day I left the church
For several years I have been planning to leave the church since I don’t believe in any religion, I’m not taking part of their activities and I never go to the church. However if you are a member of the church in this country, you have to pay ~$450 (that is like half my monthly rent) each year in taxes to them (if you have an income). Imagine how much cash that will be after 60 years. Even if you pay that much money, you still have to pay your own funeral (yes, when you are dead) which is really expensive.
To me, this is way too much. It would be another thing if I went to church and participated in their activities. Then I understand that this type of community can’t survive without money. But this is not the case for me. To me this church believes in a book filled with fiction. No offense, I truly respect everyone no matter what they believe, and I expect the same in return. But I don’t believe a damn word in that book.
So I sent in the paper on Monday last week and got the confirmation letter on Friday that I’ve seceded the Swedish Church.
This was apart of my 101 things in 1001 days list and it feels good that I’ve finally have done it. 100 things to go!
That’s not good having to pay so much to be part of a church!
I thought it was free - in UK you can just go, if you wish to donate then they’d be happy but there is no obligation as far as I know.
Posted on April 13th, 2008 at 2:22 pm
I think you were very brave - a lot of people don’t leave the church because they are afraid of what other people may think.
Posted on April 13th, 2008 at 4:21 pm
It is absolutely crazy that a church would make you pay a yearly “tax” to be apart of it. It is a good thing to resigned and a brave thing at that. Not a lot of people would have had the courage to do so.
Posted on April 13th, 2008 at 5:48 pm
Good for you! Regarding the above comment about fear of disapproval, I heard Sweden is a pretty athetistic state as it is, so hopefully you won’t get too much slack for leaving the church!
Posted on April 13th, 2008 at 6:16 pm
I can understand the 10% tithe of the past, but $450 regardless of how much one might earn in a year? Ridiculous!
Congratulations on having the bravery to step away. :)
Posted on April 13th, 2008 at 8:47 pm
Wait, you have to pay to go to church?! Well if that ain’t a load of horse shit. I hope they don’t do that stuff here. See this is why I don’t do church or stuff like that. Wow.
Posted on April 14th, 2008 at 12:26 pm
WOW… That’s a lot of money to make you believe something ..
I believe that the true happiness is from within your heart.
I am glad that you are out of that black hole.
Posted on April 14th, 2008 at 2:33 pm
I think it’s good that you left, if you don’t believe in anything they’re trying tell you.
Posted on April 15th, 2008 at 5:20 am
If I were with you, I would hug you :-D I hate the institution which the church represents. It seems so evil to me…
By the way, those payments settled the church?
Here we all have to pay those people to manipulate whit minds of innocent people. Nobody asks… The state gives money from our taxes to them. And everything what is happening with priests (weddings, funerals and so), you have to pay. And they can be corrupted. If you pay enough money, even a child, whose parents are not married, can be christened.
So it is better that you pay them if you believe.
Posted on April 15th, 2008 at 3:55 pm
That’s a lot of money to pay… especially if you weren’t going anyway!
Posted on April 15th, 2008 at 9:05 pm
Hold up, you have to pay to be a member of the church? That’s crazy. I don’t blame you for leaving, I don’t believe in anything in that novel, eh book, at all either.
Posted on April 18th, 2008 at 11:34 am
Looks like that the church is belting lot of money from the people who are connected to it. I feel when you dont believe in any religion then its better to save that money as its big amount.
Posted on April 18th, 2008 at 2:53 pm