I hope you realize that followers of Jesus Christ actually believe in moral absolutes! I find it ironic that you stated that all people SHOULD strive for the the practices and character traits you have noted. Um, why is that? Why should we strive for those? Without real moral judgements this is just your opinion!
You mentioned peace…Do you realize the peace that is described in the Bible is achieved by trusting that the God of the Bible knows what it is like to be facing conditions common to all of us, that is, facing circumstances similar to being chin deep in crap upon a spinning orb of selfishness, and that this God is not surprised by your predicament, but provides encouragement to continue to trust Him and obey Him in spite of said predicament? I think you were alluding to some kind of “tolerance” where we all just get along. Not even close.
I know what you mean by organized religion but if you were to find other like minded people and got together every once in a while to discuss your views; well then …guess what? Pot…meet kettle!
I don’t think you realize it but your last statement is no truer than saying that vanilla ice cream is the best, just because.

It is clear that this has nothing to do with DR. You hate God, you hate Christians and Dave Ramsey is one and doesn’t hide it.

You carry a lot hate of christians and you are afraid of God.

Ever heard of ‘niche market’? Believe it or not, there are lots of people as ethical, logical and efficient as you and your boyfriend. Those people need Dave Ramsey. If everyone was as logical as you most people wouldn’t be in the financial messes that they are in. Dave Ramsey says that it’s not about Math, it’s about behaviour. Even Financial experts mess up their finances.

Go to his website listen to one of his 3 hour shows archives and take note of how many times he invokes religion and post it here. OK? He teaches common sense to everybody, whether Christian or not. Even if he taught the Christian message, you are not his target audience anyway, tune in to somebody else, buy someone else’s book.

I bet you’ve never heard of Crown Financial Ministries. Why are you not attacking them instead? Because they are the ones who teach Christian Personal Finance.

-Baker

Religion plays a large role in my personal finances, In Islam riba(interest/usury) is forbidden, the principle being that a person should earn money from their own effort by selling goods and service, money in Islam is not seen as a commodity but a means of transaction so I have to avoid it as much as possible in today world. Also it effects what types of stocks and mutual funds I choose to invest in, as a practicing Muslim I do not want to invest in companies that sell intoxicants, porn or other immoral things.

Also I find many of the things Dave says match up with the messages of the Prophets of god peace be upon them, askew interest, don’t try to make money off of leading to your brother, live moderate and simple, don’t place too much value in this worldly life, give charity.

so I will be reading my Quran and total money make over with out any inner conflict .. : ) .

I think your blog is an exceptional tool to help people out.I have been reading the different posts to the question of religion and fiannces, and the statement that you made “I never felt like I *had* to tithe in order to have a relationship with Jesus, etc…, etc…” is absolutely correct.

The question is not “Do you tihe because you are trying to have relationship with Jesus?” But “Do you tithe because you have a relationship with Jesus?”

Is the same fundamental question about “Do you not cheat because you are in love?” or “Do you not cheat because your are married?”

One arises out of obligation, another arises out of the relationship. Let’s put the issue of organized religion asking for money aside for a moment. Without any hesitation, I can recognize that things in this world take money to make them happen. It is probably because someone in the past donated money to a religious organization, or institution, or people, that allowed bibles to continued to be printed, or books to be written, or missionaries sent to remote areas so that the word of God could be preached. And because someone else gave, I was the recipient of that blessing, and now I have come to know Christ as my personal saviour.

Like Penn said, If I believe that I Jesus saved me, why would I not tell. If I belief that I received a blessing, why would I not give so that someone else in he future might receive the same blessing until Christ returns?

So you see, to me is not a question of giving to develop the relationship, but giving because I have a relationship, and I understand that giving does a miraculous work in me.

When you read those verses in Malachi, God talks about robbing, but then he also says “test me in this”. If we know him, then we give, because he asked us to do it, and he asked us to have faith and test Him.

So giving,then transfers from an obligation, to a test of faith, a test of love for God, and a test of love for our neighbor. In the new testament it talks about giving to the poor, and the poor is more than just material, there are spiritually poor people, who are living without hope for the future.

And knowing Jesus, might give them an opportunity to have a hope greater than this earth, and their earthly possessions. And my question friend is, why would I not want to be part of that?

I am sure you read the news of how many took their lives, because their hopes where placed in the upside-down home, or upside-down car, or upside-down furniture; and now they had nothing, and maybe some hope for the future, the spiritual, and the eternal, might have given them what they needed to have life.

Continue in your journey, values and principles are definitely good, and some people may not like what the call the religious aspect, but at the same time i would say, why knock down what you have not tried?

Blessings to you friend and continue in your journey!