The Nehor wrote:Yes, but the deal is with God, not the Church.
Fine. And when God wants his money he can come down and ask me for it;) I actually do agree with you that tithing isn't in the same category as these other financial scams. There is a whole other category of religious scams out there that I am not a fan of. Selling blessings for money. What a crock. But the church isn't the only one raking in tons and tons of money from their members. However, I do think the MLM scams in the church are a big issue and I'm glad the church is continually trying to do something about it. I can't put my finger on what it is within Mormon culture that makes them so susceptible to these scams. Is it Mormonism or is it Utah Mormonism? Is there something about the business culture and economy of Utah that fosters these things?
(You can change these around so nobody feels I am slamming any faith)
There was a Mormon, a Catholic, a Baptist and a Jew talking about how they gave money to God:
Mormon: I give 10% of my gross plus a generous fast offering. YOU SHOULD TOO!
Catholic: I draw a line on the ground. I toss my money in the air. What lands on the left I keep and what lands on the right I give to God.
Baptist: I draw a circle on the ground. I toss my money in the air. What lands in the circle I keep. What lands outside the circle I give to God.
Jew: I toss my money in the air. Whatever God catches he can keep.
The Nehor wrote:Last I checked the Church never promised to give that money back doubled or tripled, most scammers do.
I've seen LDS linking tithing to rewards on this site and MAD. Often.
This is why I should read the thread before I reply. :)
So, something NOT said on the thread... I do wonder if some members are a bit more gullible. I do recall seeing quite a few threads on MAD about conmen and investing in scams.
~~Actually that was already covered... dangit. Never mind. ~~
SatanWasSetUp wrote: ... and they also promise to withhold blessings from non-tithe payers.
Could you post your source for this? Because I don't recall hearing this before.
My source is attend any sunday school lesson, sacrament talk, priesthood lesson, seminary class, primary class, or fireside where the subject of the lesson is tithing. Maybe I'm crazy, but it seems that is the theme of every tithing talk. Pay tithing = blessings. Don't pay tithing = no blessings. Pay on gross = gross blessings. Pay on net = net blessings. Don't pay anything = zero blessings. Maybe I only attended the nazi Mormon wards. I remember one lesson where the guy actually said Mormons are richer than most americans because we pay tithing.
"We of this Church do not rely on any man-made statement concerning the nature of Deity. Our knowledge comes directly from the personal experience of Joseph Smith." - Gordon B. Hinckley
"It's wrong to criticize leaders of the Mormon Church even if the criticism is true." - Dallin H. Oaks
"reports of fraud schemes and unwise investments prompt us to again counsel members with respect to prudence in managing one's financial affairs."
"We are concerned that some church members ignore the oft-repeated direction to prepare and live within a budget, avoid consumer debt, and to save against a time of need,"
"Consideration should also be given to investing wisely with responsible and established financial institutions. We are also concerned that there are those who use relationships of trust to promote risky or even fraudulent investment and business schemes."
Doesn't seem like a mandate to me. Just another illustration of yellow journalism by those with an axe to grind.
"reports of fraud schemes and unwise investments prompt us to again counsel members with respect to prudence in managing one's financial affairs."
"We are concerned that some church members ignore the oft-repeated direction to prepare and live within a budget, avoid consumer debt, and to save against a time of need,"
"Consideration should also be given to investing wisely with responsible and established financial institutions. We are also concerned that there are those who use relationships of trust to promote risky or even fraudulent investment and business schemes."
Doesn't seem like a mandate to me. Just another illustration of yellow journalism by those with an axe to grind.
I don't think anybody has a problem with the advice. Whether it's a mandate or simply counsel, it is good practical advice not to get involved in scams.
"We of this Church do not rely on any man-made statement concerning the nature of Deity. Our knowledge comes directly from the personal experience of Joseph Smith." - Gordon B. Hinckley
"It's wrong to criticize leaders of the Mormon Church even if the criticism is true." - Dallin H. Oaks
Doesn't seem like a mandate to me. Just another illustration of yellow journalism by those with an axe to grind.
I don't think anybody has a problem with the advice. Whether it's a mandate or simply counsel, it is good practical advice not to get involved in scams.
Of course. But calling it a mandate in the title is more than simple bait and switch don't you think?