LDS Cult Tithing Horror Stories

[_Jason Bourne]

My parents, well into their retirement, in their seventies, still have many years of a house mortgage ahead of them. They kept borrowing on the house. But they always paid their tithing.

Would the tithing differential have prevented them borrowing on their house. I don't think so. Most the time it is not tithing but overspending. If one is going to get out of debt and stay out of debt they have to change their habits, their habits and live by a budget. IT is pretty clear that most in the USA do not tithe yet many have money problems. Too bad they cannot blame it on tithing.

[_Who Knows]

My parents, well into their retirement, in their seventies, still have many years of a house mortgage ahead of them. They kept borrowing on the house. But they always paid their tithing.

Would the tithing differential have prevented them borrowing on their house. I don't think so. Most the time it is not tithing but overspending. If one is going to get out of debt and stay out of debt they have to change their habits, their habits and live by a budget. IT is pretty clear that most in the USA do not tithe yet many have money problems. Too bad they cannot blame it on tithing.

That's a pretty silly thing to say, Jason. A dollar is a dollar. Spending 10% of your income on tithing, means you have 10% less to spend elsewhere. Would her parents have less debt had they not paid tithing? The only logical answer to assume, is YES! Might they have squandered it elsewhere? Maybe, maybe not.

But the bottom line is they had 10% less income than they otherwise would have had. That's a pretty hefty chunk of change.

[_Jason Bourne]

That's a pretty silly thing to say, Jason.

No it is not.

A dollar is a dollar.

I understand that. really

Spending 10% of your income on tithing, means you have 10% less to spend elsewhere. Would her parents have less debt had they not paid tithing? The only logical answer to assume, is YES! Might they have squandered it elsewhere? Maybe, maybe not.

I asked if 10% would have made up the differential. They may have had less if they said "Let us now take this 10% and use it to pay down debt, or save iun an emergency fund or so on. But my point, which you missed, is that tithing is typically not the root of peoples money problems.

[_Some Schmo]

But my point, which you missed, is that tithing is typically not the root of peoples money problems.

Actually, I agree with this (basic economics tells us that the more money people have, the more they spend), but you have to admit that in some cases, it can make a person's financial situation much harder than it needs to be.

The fact is that taking personal financial responsibility should include avoiding paying money to fraudulent scams like [insert any religious institution here].

[_Who Knows]

I asked if 10% would have made up the differential.

No you didn't. You said you didn't think it would. And I said that was a pretty dumb thing to assume.

They may have had less if they said "Let us now take this 10% and use it to pay down debt, or save iun an emergency fund or so on. But my point, which you missed, is that tithing is typically not the root of peoples money problems.

Of course. When you spend more than you earn, you get into trouble. Without the tithing, they would have been spending 10% less than they were spending - which would make a big impact. Guessing as to whether they would have squandered that additional 10% is just that - a guess. You assumed it would be the case for them, and I was simply pointing out that that was a dumb thing to assume.

But I'm guessing you and I would both agree - that if you're paying tithing, you need to work off the assumption that you have 10% less income than you actually have. And if you buy a house that you can't afford based on that assumption, that is bad money management.

[_Jason Bourne]

I asked if 10% would have made up the differential.

No you didn't. You said you didn't think it would. And I said that was a pretty dumb thing to assume.


I said:

Would the tithing differential have prevented them borrowing on their house

And I stand by it. I do no think it would have. Based on how much debt most people have, and most do not pay tithing, they most likely would have still borrowed on their house. Tithing in typically not the problem. Lack of budgeting and planning is. I think it is pretty dumb to assume that all of the sudden having 10% more solves someone's financial problems.

They may have had less if they said "Let us now take this 10% and use it to pay down debt, or save iun an emergency fund or so on. But my point, which you missed, is that tithing is typically not the root of peoples money problems.

Yes and that is my point. Any active LDS ought budget for the 10%. If they are going to pay it and live it they should plan on it going out the door just like any other monthly bill. Most, if they do this, will not have a problem with paying it and meeting other costs of living. And keep in mind that if they deduct this on their taxes it is more like about 6.5% to 8% depending on their tax bracket.

Of course. When you spend more than you earn, you get into trouble. Without the tithing, they would have been spending 10% less than they were spending - which would make a big impact. Guessing as to whether they would have squandered that additional 10% is just that - a guess. You assumed it would be the case for them, and I was simply pointing out that that was a dumb thing to assume.

And it is just as dumb for you to assume that they would not have squandered it. Further, I did not say they would have squandered it. Even if they took it and applied it all to debt it may well not have solved their problems.

But I'm guessing you and I would both agree - that if you're paying tithing, you need to work off the assumption that you have 10% less income than you actually have. And if you buy a house that you can't afford based on that assumption, that is bad money management.

[_krose]

I find it interesting when I listen to money and get out of debt counselors that they encourage tithing as partof the budgeting and money management principles. One such famous person strongly recommends it and he is not LDS though he is Christian.

Jason, do you have more details about this? I've never heard that, and it's difficult to imagine a debt counselor suggesting giving money away as part of a plan to get out of debt.

[_charity]

charity, I'm going to put this as nicely and gently as I can, because I've made a New Year's resolution to try to be nicer in the forums...

You're a moron. I'm amazed you have the brain power to turn on a computer without sacrificing whatever neurons are necessary to keeping your vital organs working. Unbelievable. If you really want people to believe in the church, I highly recommend you shut the f*** up.

That's all there really is to say about your comments in this thread.

I see something I said hit close to home.

[_Some Schmo]

charity, I'm going to put this as nicely and gently as I can, because I've made a New Year's resolution to try to be nicer in the forums...

You're a moron. I'm amazed you have the brain power to turn on a computer without sacrificing whatever neurons are necessary to keeping your vital organs working. Unbelievable. If you really want people to believe in the church, I highly recommend you shut the f*** up.

That's all there really is to say about your comments in this thread.

I see something I said hit close to home.

And to think that some people here argue that you can't choose what you want to believe. HA! They clearly aren't thinking about you when they make that claim.

[_Jason Bourne]

I find it interesting when I listen to money and get out of debt counselors that they encourage tithing as partof the budgeting and money management principles. One such famous person strongly recommends it and he is not LDS though he is Christian.

Jason, do you have more details about this? I've never heard that, and it's difficult to imagine a debt counselor suggesting giving money away as part of a plan to get out of debt.

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