We used to raise money "for the common good" through lotteries, direct fees for services used, and tariffs. All were ways that were completely voluntary to pay. We had occasional taxes that were temporary in times of what was deemed absolutely necessary but as I said they were TEMPORARY. We had roads, schools, fire departments, police, a navy, and despite it being unconstitutional we had a standing army. It wasn't until 1913 that we implemented an income tax. Oddly enough that was the same year we started electing U.S. Senators by way of popular vote and established the Federal Reserve. We also started sending troops overseas to "spread liberty" and more and more welfare programs (yes I include corporate in that) and public works projects (aka "stimulus programs" ) signed into law. Sorry, but Taxation IS theft. People should be able to opt in to "tangible benefits" and not be forced to by some politician trying to bribe his constituency for votes.

Government claims they are voluntary, until someone shows up with a gun for failure to pay. Religion uses guilt and threats of damnation if you don't. Both are expected and coerced with fear.

No religious institution controls a dime of my money -- and never will. I pay taxes voluntarily to pay my fair share of governmental services and to be a responsible citizen -- as everybody who is not a freeloader should!

Yes, there is quite a difference. If your house catches fire, who do you want to show up, the fire truck and the firefighters supported by your tax dollars or the priest supported by your tithes? With taxes, there is a tangible benefit from your monies, both for you individually and the community as a whole. If you feel taxation is theft, maybe you shouldn't drive on public roads, use public transportation, drink from the municipal water system, use the sewer system... the list goes on. In short, you benefit from tax funds on a daily basis in ways you never bother to consider. Taxation is not all about the politicians/con artists that grab the headlines. Most of the benefit is invisible to you and you should be glad it is.

I don't see any correlation between the two.
Adherence to a religion, and tithing, is completely voluntary. Refusing to do so is not criminal.
Refusing to pay one's taxes can result in imprisonment.

you don't go to jail for not tithing

If I were a Religious Person I would not voluntary donate 10% of my income nor pay a membership fee to join a Church or Temple. Believing in god should have nothing to do with money unless someone has the extra cash and wants to make a donation.

They are the same in a royal monarchy. In a constitutional republic, you are part of the government, so it is completely different. Do I disagree with where our tax money comes from and goes? Yeah. Is my voice alone almost meaningless in a voting booth? Yeah. Can we still all get together and change a constitutional republic? Yeah. Especially if we don't elect demagogues who pledge allegiance to the corporations....

Of course the obvious difference is that one supports government and the other church. Your comparison point is taken. At least with modern society, you won't be thrown in jail for not tithing. I know secretly some church leaders are saddened by their lack of leverage.