charity wrote:I have heard of several people this year who are not giving gifts or even money to their family, but donating to humanitarian organizations in their name.
One lady of my acquataintance was interested to know that her daughter had donated money in her name to help toward building a well in Equador.
I think the spirit of Christmas is in love and service, not haunting the malls for just the right gift that will put you in debt well into 2008.
That's a good point charity. maybe there is a way to declare such gifts as charitable donations on your income tax? You get the self-righteous bonus points, save money on time and gas, and get a substantial tax discount all in one. I have a new respect for those doing this.
And the Sarcasm of the Year Award goes to ------drum roll----- Gadianton! Cheer, applause, whistling, hand clapping.
Let's put on one side of the scale clean drinking water for a whole village, and on the other, an iPod for some little spoiled brat who has never had a single thought for another human being in his/her affleunt little life. That's why we aren't living the United Order right now. Wait, that is another thread.
Thanks for the comments everyone. It did feel a bit like the rug was being yanked out from underneath the kids. I was confused at the "designate a charity" on the tithing slip form, as I didn't think the church really offered much of a choice in this dept.
I have no problem dedicating some time and money each year to humanitarian efforts. The problem is (in my opinion) that in this scenario, I don't think there is a lesson to be learned. If the individual on the receivingend, asks that a donation be made to a certain organization instead of being given money or flowers or gifts, then all is well. However, for children at Christmas, its more than a let down when a grandparent does this. Kids can understand this move about as much as they can appreciate the joys of fasting.
One thought that I expressed to my better half, was to take the kids and the money to a soup kitchen and do a little volunteer work to create a memory of service. But, as I should have known, she reminded me that the money had to be funneled through the true church as not to offend Grandma. I do want to just give the check back.
I don't expect to see same-sex marriage in Utah within my lifetime. - Scott Lloyd, Oct 23 2013
Your MIL gives money and tells y'all to donate it to a charity but you must give it to the bishop?
In other words, your MIL wants to donate to the church (or some fund associated with the church) rather than give gifts to your family and children?
If she wants to donate, she should just do so and tell you she decided to donate to a charity rather than give gifts.
And why does she want the money to be given to the Bishop if it is going to a non-LDS charity?
If you are going to give money to a charity, why not just send it to the organization?
Personally, I think it is nice to donate to a good cause in someone's name as an honor to them, but this is quite a bit different than giving someone money demanding the recipient give it to the Bishop... ya know? I completely do not get this mindset?
If someone gave me money demanding I donate it, I would just give it back and tell them to donate it as they wish.
Maybe I misunderstand?
:-)
~dancer~
"The search for reality is the most dangerous of all undertakings for it destroys the world in which you live." Nisargadatta Maharaj
charity wrote:Let's put on one side of the scale clean drinking water for a whole village, and on the other, an iPod for some little spoiled brat who has never had a single thought for another human being in his/her affleunt little life. That's why we aren't living the United Order right now. Wait, that is another thread.
Is that what your grandkids are like? I think you got the short end of the stick.
Forget the clean well water, lets build a two billion dollar mall in SLC this Christmas.
I don't expect to see same-sex marriage in Utah within my lifetime. - Scott Lloyd, Oct 23 2013
Your MIL gives money and tells y'all to donate it to a charity but you must give it to the bishop?
In other words, your MIL wants to donate to the church (or some fund associated with the church) rather than give gifts to your family and children?
If she wants to donate, she should just do so and tell you she decided to donate to a charity rather than give gifts.
And why does she want the money to be given to the Bishop if it is going to a non-LDS charity?
If you are going to give money to a charity, why not just send it to the organization?
Personally, I think it is nice to donate to a good cause in someone's name as an honor to them, but this is quite a bit different than giving someone money demanding the recipient give it to the Bishop... ya know? I completely do not get this mindset?
If someone gave me money demanding I donate it, I would just give it back and tell them to donate it as they wish.
Maybe I misunderstand?
:-) ~dancer~
I think I might have got a similar immpresion to you, but was being polite in not opening my mouth as much, although I did try a little hint.
It appears very fishy indeed. it is rather quite sick, especially if she has young grand children. A major head game might be going on there.
Maxrep wrote:I have a hard time capturing the whole feeling, but my best stab at is this - My MIL's LDS love is too big to waste on simple Christmas presents, and has taken this once a year opportunity to display an object lesson about giving.
In that case, you need to seize this opportunity to teach your kids an object lesson on how not to let an unexpected windfall go to waste.
I'll let you fill in the blanks on that one.
"Finally, for your rather strange idea that miracles are somehow linked to the amount of gay sexual gratification that is taking place would require that primitive Christianity was launched by gay sex, would it not?"
Your MIL gives money and tells y'all to donate it to a charity but you must give it to the bishop?
In other words, your MIL wants to donate to the church (or some fund associated with the church) rather than give gifts to your family and children?
If she wants to donate, she should just do so and tell you she decided to donate to a charity rather than give gifts.
And why does she want the money to be given to the Bishop if it is going to a non-LDS charity?
If you are going to give money to a charity, why not just send it to the organization?
Personally, I think it is nice to donate to a good cause in someone's name as an honor to them, but this is quite a bit different than giving someone money demanding the recipient give it to the Bishop... ya know? I completely do not get this mindset?
If someone gave me money demanding I donate it, I would just give it back and tell them to donate it as they wish.
Maybe I misunderstand?
:-) ~dancer~
Hi TD,
you understand it perfectly. The church is not a central hub for disseminating donations to charitable causes, so the whole idea of needing to run it through the LDS church via the bishop is annoying. Like you, I would feel better just giving the check back, but that would offend her. In the grand scheme of things, its not a big deal. It just reminds me of the Church's' solicitation to aging members to will their estate to LDS inc. rather than their own offspring. Some LDS folk find a way to make everything about the Church. Its not that there are many days of the week that go by without the church requiring your attention.
I don't expect to see same-sex marriage in Utah within my lifetime. - Scott Lloyd, Oct 23 2013
I would send it back also. It is really rubbish for someone to do that sorta thing. It reminds me of some family members I have, only they are not religious.