Pearls Before Swine by Stephan Pastis for June 09, 2014
Transcript:
Priest: Hello, Rat. Sorry to bother you at home, but I haven't seen you in church in quite a while. Is there a reason for that? Rat: It's the basket you pass. It makes me feel guilty. Priest: Not putting money in the church basket is no reason to feel guilty. Rat: I take cash out of it. Priest: Please don't steal church money. Rat: I saw it as a gift from God.
Sherlock Watson over 10 years ago
The only unbelievable thing in this strip is Rat feeling guilty.
Kali39 over 10 years ago
Wasn’t aware that Rat ever attended church. Casinos, yes, but never church…
knight1192a over 10 years ago
This seems a common joke. Seen it several times in sitcoms. Wonder how often it really happens.
alviebird over 10 years ago
I know he’s condescending and controversial, but I like the late Pastor Arnold Murray’s philosophy on tithing. He said, “God doesn’t send out beggars.” They do not “pass the plate” in his congregation. And in his TV ministry, the only mention of donations is at the end of the program, when either he or the announcer quickly rattles off something like, “We are brought to you by your tithes and offerings. If we’ve helped you, won’t you help us keep coming to you?”
GreyAcumen over 10 years ago
As a christian, I’m going to try to give this a positive spin: On one hand, Rat not going to church, and its discovered that he was stealing from church. On the other hand, he was stealing from church, made a point to remove himself from that temptation, and when pressed, honestly admitted to his crime.When you factor in what Rat is like normally… well, I’m putting this down as a win for the god team.
Sisyphos over 10 years ago
Rat’s reasoning is impeccable. Pastor-guy (Pastor Bob?) can’t refute Rat’s eloquent interpretation….
Charlie Fogwhistle over 10 years ago
You really don’t pass up any opportunity to evangelize for YOUR team, do you?
Cameron1988 Premium Member over 10 years ago
well Rat’s on his way down below. like we didn’t see that coming
Oggi over 10 years ago
This seems true.
Darryl Heine over 10 years ago
It takes a church…
criztina over 10 years ago
Now I know who kept taking my checks out of the basket.
FlashfyreSP over 10 years ago
“God” – so omnipotent, “He” needs YOUR money to stop YOU from doing what “He” doesn’t want you to do.
vwdualnomand over 10 years ago
churches are the biggest casinos ever. want to solve world hunger and poverty, tax religion.
MeGoNow Premium Member over 10 years ago
Or you can just quickly stick your hand in and rattle the money around some to make it sound right. Same as with blind beggars.
finale over 10 years ago
Ubersnerk!
unca jim over 10 years ago
Reminds me of a 1940’s cartoon on the back page of the ol’ Liberty magazine; “Hardtack”, an early version of Dennis the Menace.. As they passed the plate to him, he asks; “How much should I take?”
codedaddy over 10 years ago
Yes. Rat isn’t deceiving weak minds to subsidize the evangelists living out of fear or belief in a fiction, and so might inspire him to get an honest job.
linda.trumbly over 10 years ago
In casinos, the house sets the odds.
Lyons Group, Inc. over 10 years ago
With that remark, this strip is on The Lyons Foundation’s chopping block
jungle68 over 10 years ago
agreed, @vanpelt, agreed.
TrainerSteve over 10 years ago
Never taken money, but I’ve made change.
Number Three over 10 years ago
Rat’s going to hell.
But I guess everybody knew that.
xxx
Carl Rennhack Premium Member over 10 years ago
@Number Three—When Rat dies he’s gonna be reincarnated as the fifth child in The Family Circus…that’s worse than hell!
alviebird over 10 years ago
The method is the bone-of-contention here. Tithing should not be make into a public display.
Since Israel was essentially a church state, tithing was a de facto tax. The temple was supposed to see to the welfare of the needy, taking care of such as widows and orphans. This country has its own system for that, which you are required to pay into. I’m not saying one should not contribute to a church, but it is not really an obligation anymore. But if you can afford it, and want to, by all means, do.
And to all retired folks, consider this:The money you are drawing on now has already been taxed, and if you have been tithing all these years, you need not do it again.
It’s these preachers and pastors swindlers that coerce these people, who are living on their retirement, into going hungry in order to pay their “debt” to their church that really pi$$ me off, and give God a bad name. (Uh,oh, Now I’m angry.)
einarbt over 10 years ago
Spot on and why feel guilty it was a gift from god.
claire de la lune. over 10 years ago
Interesting….
Snoopy_Fan over 10 years ago
Churches need money to operate, like just about everything else – it’s a fact of life. Tithes are giving to God out of recognition that everything comes from Him anyway, even your ability to work and ALL of the pay you earn. He doesn’t specify that everyone give the same AMOUNT, only the same PERCENTAGE. Tithes are meant specifically for the continuance of ministry through the church. Offerings, on the other hand, are over and above the tithe, out of thankfulness for God’s goodness. Offerings can be given in many ways – to the church or other good organization or directly to someone in need. Both tithes and offerings are to be given cheerfully, not begrudgingly. It is absolutely true that giving should not be made into a show of SELF-righteousness but giving openly can be inspiration or at least a model for others. Jesus Himself pointed out the woman with two coins, so obviously she humbly gave openly. Churches need money for helping others, feeding the poor, counseling those who cannot afford to pay for counseling, keeping clothes on hand for those in need, crisis closets, etc. Most churches I’ve been involved with through the years have done all of these good works and NONE of the pastors of those churches made what they deserved to make for all the hours they spend visiting the sick, bereaved, and imprisoned, building relationships with families of the congregation, counseling people, holding weddings and funerals, spending time with church class functions and other church groups, taking calls at all hours, etc. If someone supports, through their attendance and money, someone who preaches and focuses on attendance and money, whose fault is that? Christ taught that we should GIVE money, not BEG for it.
I love PBS and I enjoy the humor in today’s strip. Some comments, though, show a lack of understanding of the ministry of giving. We give generously because God gives generously to us every single day.
Barker62 over 10 years ago
Gee, I thought that was a tip for coming and listening to a boring speech and badly sung music…
Jason Case over 10 years ago
Churches and casinos are not the same dang thing one is a apple the other is an orange.Tithing is something done for God while gambling is playing with fire.Casino is in the category of entertainment, the other is a place to gather with other that share you’re beliefs.
By that logic swimming at a water peak and jet skiing on a ocean, river, etc is the same thing if you use the logic I see one similarity so there for they are the same thing when really they aren’t.
Themanofoor54 almost 4 years ago
30th comment
robertiris almost 3 years ago
How about calling it direct charity