Lokki wrote:
The balance of science and religion is something I struggle with quite a bit. I attend Sunday school, Sunday morning service and Wednesday evening service at my church. I participate in a lot of the activities there and my kids attend the private school that is attached to the Church.
However, whenever they get on the big Creationism kicks, it makes my toes curl during the service. There are just too many facts that prove evolution and Charles Darwin. I keep my mouth shut during those discussions at church, but no matter how much "faith" I have, the scientific part of my brain takes over at those parts.
I am by no means a holy roller though. Religion is something that I have struggled with for a long time and the main reason that I am so involved with it now is because my wife got real involved with it a few years ago.
I have had arguments with my Sunday school teacher and my pastor over tithes. They can point out the 10% of gross incomes all that they want, but there is simply no way that they will ever get that from me. I make darn good money, but I still live on a very thin budget, due to my wife's low salary, her & my student loans, house note, car notes, paying for private school for 2 kids, etc. They tell me to put my faith in the Lord and he will provide. I'm sorry, I can't give them that much each month and have trust that my bills will still be paid. That's a whole different discussion though and I'll get off of my soap box now.
Your welcome to your own beliefs, but I would encourage you to trust the Lord on the tithe. I can't count the amount of times I have paid my tithe and not had enough money left to finish the month; somehow each an every time we would get an unexpected check in the mail, I would get some extra hours at work that week, or some other form of support would come in. Its not my money to begin with, it's God's. When you look at it that way, it would be stealing to not give Him what is His. He is always faithful to provide though.
As for the rest of your comments here, it sounds as if your going through the motions for your wife. Would I be correct in assuming that? It doesn't sound like you have much faith in the Word of God or His provision, rather you go through the motions because it is the right thing to do. Is that a correct assumption?
I would encourage you that if your going to sit through the sermons, attend the classes, and go to the functions; give God a chance to reveal Himself to you. Don't simply go through the motions, immerse yourself in the Word and pray for answers. Perhaps you've done this a bit, I don't know, but I thought I would encourage you anyways.