Lucinda wrote:This may be a dumb question, but--do they really need our tithing? Don't they make enough money from all of their land, business deals and corporations?
Well, it depends. Of course the Old testament suggestion of 10% is not on condition just how rich a church is. But it does depend on just how one wants to live a commandment. Without tithing money, the church could not become self-reliant as the lds church now is. Every tithe paying member during the last hundred and so years is responsible for the success the lds church has in financial stability.
You will need to take up the issue with god and his suggestion of 10%.
I intend to lay a foundation that will revolutionize the whole world. Joseph Smith We are “to feed the hungry, to clothe the naked, to provide for the widow, to dry up the tear of the orphan, to comfort the afflicted, whether in this church, or in any other, or in no church at all…” Joseph Smith
I have freely admitted on this board that I am a terrestial guy. And I would have no problem admitting it to any Mormon. And those on MAD who have been around for years, know this too.
I intend to lay a foundation that will revolutionize the whole world. Joseph Smith We are “to feed the hungry, to clothe the naked, to provide for the widow, to dry up the tear of the orphan, to comfort the afflicted, whether in this church, or in any other, or in no church at all…” Joseph Smith
why me wrote:Well, it depends. Of course the Old testament suggestion of 10% is not on condition just how rich a church is. But it does depend on just how one wants to live a commandment. Without tithing money, the church could not become self-reliant as the lds church now is. Every tithe paying member during the last hundred and so years is responsible for the success the lds church has in financial stability.
You will need to take up the issue with god and his suggestion of 10%.
Hades wrote: Some of you, Lucinda being one, have said that you don't want to pass the illusion onto your children. I feel the same way. I want my kids to be able to seek truth without indoctrination. I don't want them to struggle with shame and guilt. I don't want them to feel a need to judge others according to dogma.
What is an illusion? One could claim that religion is just an illusion and god is the great illusion. And pass that on to their kids. But that would also be indoctrination.
And what does it mean to seek truth? What is truth is the question Pilate posed. And when humans struggle with shame or guilt, it just shows that they are not sociopaths or pychopaths.
Humans are judgemental people. Maybe your kids will be judging people by the brand of their clothes. Or by whether someone is fat or thin. Or whether someone is beautiful or average looking.
Your post is full of holes and postmodern dreaming.
I intend to lay a foundation that will revolutionize the whole world. Joseph Smith We are “to feed the hungry, to clothe the naked, to provide for the widow, to dry up the tear of the orphan, to comfort the afflicted, whether in this church, or in any other, or in no church at all…” Joseph Smith
No. But then again, I am a terrestial guy. I am questioning the questions Lucinda and other critics pose.
I intend to lay a foundation that will revolutionize the whole world. Joseph Smith We are “to feed the hungry, to clothe the naked, to provide for the widow, to dry up the tear of the orphan, to comfort the afflicted, whether in this church, or in any other, or in no church at all…” Joseph Smith
Ray A wrote: So you're pretty much expecting Lucinda to be "Celestial", while you're very comfortable preaching to her from the "Terrestrial"?
No. I am questioning her premises and understandings.
I intend to lay a foundation that will revolutionize the whole world. Joseph Smith We are “to feed the hungry, to clothe the naked, to provide for the widow, to dry up the tear of the orphan, to comfort the afflicted, whether in this church, or in any other, or in no church at all…” Joseph Smith
why me wrote: No. I am questioning her premises and understandings.
If you want to talk about Mother Theresa and Catholic stuff, and "universal love" and all that kind of thing, I doubt most here would have a problem with that. It's the unctuous lecturing about living Mormonism, while you don't, that gets in craws. Maybe you need a William Schryver to wake you up like he woke me up. Since that day I spat Mormonism out of my mouth.
I guess we just have to make some hard choices in life, why me, and really examine why we won't live it when we claim (or deceive ourselves) that we "believe it". If you can't or won't live it - then you don't believe it. And there must be reasons for that. Look into your soul, and do some serious analysis.