LDS Cult Tithing Horror Stories

[_truth dancer]

Hi Blixa...

Exactly. :)

For me, non-belief is not so much about historical problems, Joseph Smith's less than decent behavior, changes in the Book of Mormon, or any of these sorts of things... it is about God and what it means to exist in this Universe.

The LDS teachings/doctrine/beliefs never quite felt holy or peaceful or filled with goodness... (not to say my ideas or beliefs are correct, I feel quite certain that my best guess is not even close, still), the God of Mormonism is not the type of deity with whom I would want to exist for eternity.

~dancer~

[_solomarineris]

Only one problem is someone else's horror stories. You only get one side. And you get the whiner's version.

Young men should work and save for their missions. I don't know any 18 year olds who don't get jobs. Even a McD job would allow a young man to save a lot. If he wasn't wasting his money. If they don't care for their parents' enough to save for their own mission, they can't complain at privations the family suffers because of it. These young men should be men enough to take the responsibility.

Yes, tithing comes first. It is a commandment. The justification that "if my father paid tithing and then the Church turns around and gives the money back as mission support" is a crock. Tithing funds are tithing funds. Mission funds are mission funds. And if the dad was paying $365 a month in tithing, that means an income of $3,650 a month. $43,800 a year. I never made that much any year I worked. Do the math before you buy into the story.

A bishop would never suggest something that wasn't tithing as tithing. Tithing isn't $200. Or $400. It is 10% of the increase! Again, do the math.

About showing a determination to pay tithing as a condition of worthiness. Sort of like a person who goes in for a temple recommend and says, "I haven't had a beer for 24 hours. Give me the recommend." Only wanting a temple recommend for a specific event does not demonstrate the desire to live worthy of one.

There may have been some hardships suffered by some members. Life is hard. But just swallowing whole whiner's complaints indicates gullibility.

To Truth Dancer

Aren't you glad you don't have live any kind of life you don't want to in the afterlife. You don't want to be a wife and mother, you don't have to be. I do. What a neat plan. We both get what we want.

Well,
Guess what? I am no whiner, because I figured much sooner what this business was about.
"Tithing" is the worst kind of investment a man/woman can make. It has absolutely zero,nada,zip RETURN as many of us
discovered sooner or later.
I'd rather blow that money in one night in Vegas playing poker or blackjack. I'd have much better chance inheriting the Kingdom of God.
I want my cake now and eat it too.

[_charity]

TD, please emphasize your comments in something besides yellow.
:(

Ohhh... I understand quite well. What you don't understand is that your limited mind (and the minds of all humans), is not capable of understanding all the mysteries of the universe. Your little blink of a human brain is not able to comprehend what is God, or full awareness of existence, no matter how much you claim to be the ultimate provider of truth and knowledge, no matter how much you think you know everything.

This is really funny, because I am sure that on another thread, I posted about how you can't say you would reject plural marraige because little limited minds of all humans can't comprehend the mysteries of the universe. And yet you came back with the idea that you undestood very well and rejected it. I am glad to see that you have finally come around!

Charity...

Quote:
Bishops can't have "compassion" and advise people to disobey the laws of God. Can you imagine a bishop telling a single woman that he had compassion on her because she hasn't been asked to marry any one, so for her it would be okay to meet men in bars and have one night stands?


With all due respect... have you ever even read the New Testament? You know, the spirit of the law rather than the letter of the law idea? The part about compassion, care, love.... ummm charity?

I am not going to tell you how many times I have read the New Testament through, but the number is considerable. You think that the New Testament condones sin? Just go to any computer searchable New Testament, and type "perfect" in the search bar. The part about "compassion, care, love. . . ummmm" does not include advising people to sin. You have a kid who is unhappy so you tell him "Just use a little heroin. It will make you feel better, and I have compassion on you, and care about you and love you.."

You seem to be so stuck in the whole Law of Moses thing... seriously, why not study the teachings of Jesus for a while?

It couldn't hurt.

Does it make you feel better to try to put others down? Better ask beastie what that means in terms of personality. She will no doubt give you a whole description of your personality.

[_Jersey Girl]

Not much ticks me off around here but the following response to accounts of spiritual extortion just did the trick:

charity

Only one problem is someone else's horror stories. You only get one side. And you get the whiner's version.

Sorry folks. Don't like it? Don't care.

Jersey Girl

[_Blixa]

Not much ticks me off around here but the following response to accounts of spiritual extortion just did the trick:

charity

Only one problem is someone else's horror stories. You only get one side. And you get the whiner's version.

Sorry folks. Don't like it? Don't care.

Jersey Girl

I know. Its always zero to zealot in 60 seconds around here. It only takes a few posts before we're at such levels of judgementalism and slavish devotion to authority that analogies between compassion and shooting someone with heroin "make sense."

[Guest]

Sheesh, I feel so outta the loop! I didn't know heroin was a sin?

*taking off rubber band and putting spoon up*

Dangit.

[_Jersey Girl]

charity

About showing a determination to pay tithing as a condition of worthiness. Sort of like a person who goes in for a temple recommend and says, "I haven't had a beer for 24 hours. Give me the recommend." Only wanting a temple recommend for a specific event does not demonstrate the desire to live worthy of one

And yet the person who comes up with the 4K or so in back tithing is given the TR by virtue of their desire to "pay up". Excuse me, if desire to live a life worthy of a TR were the deciding factor, the church wouldn't be so willing to collect the money and issue the TR.

[_Blixa]

Sheesh, I feel so outta the loop! I didn't know heroine was a sin?

*taking off rubber band and putting spoon up*

Dangit.

That's because you are one (heroine, that is!).

[_Moniker]

Sheesh, I feel so outta the loop! I didn't know heroine was a sin?

*taking off rubber band and putting spoon up*

Dangit.

That's because you are one (heroine, that is!).

Oh, poop! See what drugs and being a heroine will do to ya? You add e's to the end of everythinge!

[_truth dancer]

Charity... actually that was orange but if you do not like it I will accomodate your preference. Would brown work for you?

TD: Ohhh... I understand quite well. What you don't understand is that your limited mind (and the minds of all humans), is not capable of understanding all the mysteries of the universe. Your little blink of a human brain is not able to comprehend what is God, or full awareness of existence, no matter how much you claim to be the ultimate provider of truth and knowledge, no matter how much you think you know everything.

Charity: This is really funny, because I am sure that on another thread, I posted about how you can't say you would reject plural marraige because little limited minds of all humans can't comprehend the mysteries of the universe. And yet you came back with the idea that you undestood very well and rejected it. I am glad to see that you have finally come around!

You completely miss the point. WOW.

Let me try again. To sugges that something one views is horrible should be a motivator because in the next life you will see things differently is not a healthy way to live, nor is it a hopeful or inspiring idea.

All sorts of things are possible... but holding that something horrible will be wonderful in the next life doesn't feel peaceful or holy.

Does that help you to understand?

TD: With all due respect... have you ever even read the New Testament? You know, the spirit of the law rather than the letter of the law idea? The part about compassion, care, love.... ummm charity?

Charity: I am not going to tell you how many times I have read the New Testament through, but the number is considerable. You think that the New Testament condones sin? Just go to any computer searchable New Testament, and type "perfect" in the search bar. The part about "compassion, care, love. . . ummmm" does not include advising people to sin. You have a kid who is unhappy so you tell him "Just use a little heroin. It will make you feel better, and I have compassion on you, and care about you and love you.."

I said nothing about condoning sin. Where did you come up with this idea? You misread yet again. How could you possibly get the idea that my post said anything about a Bishop advising people to sin? How did you come up with this idea about equating compassion with giving heroin? Hmmm....


TD: You seem to be so stuck in the whole Law of Moses thing... seriously, why not study the teachings of Jesus for a while?
It couldn't hurt.

Charity: Does it make you feel better to try to put others down? Better ask beastie what that means in terms of personality. She will no doubt give you a whole description of your personality.

I'm not in any way trying to put you down. Not at all. I'm offering a suggestion that may be helpful to you. I'm suggesting that the letter of the law idea, the condemnation, judging, control stuff was replaced with a sense of charity and kindness.

To be honest, I think most folks I know in your church have let go of the Law of Moses approach long ago. I even sense GBH is not OK with this rigidness. I'm not a believer in your church but I rarely see members who have such a difficult time showing care for others.

Again, I'm not trying to put you down, just offering a suggestion that may help you understand why so many have a difficult time with your approach.

If you do not find it helpful to read the New Testament, then ignore my suggestion.

~dancer~