Philosophy of Religious Finances - Mormonism

Xris, why do you make the assertion that charity is not an aspect of my faith? I have donated my money to charities on a regular basis. Therefore, you are wrong. I think that you owe me an apology. Also when did I assert that Christians are more moral than non-Christians? Can you be specific i.e. quote the actual post? Please Xris, try to get your facts straight before making random, ad hominem assertions about me.

The Mormon church takes care of you as long as you are an active member. They have a Bishop's Storehouse where you can get tons of food. The Mormon church will pay your bills if you have a sudden setback financially. I am not familiar with other churches but I grew up Mormon and they take really good care of you.

Also, I live in a rural/city section of Utah and as long as you fill out paperwork then you can go on Medicaid and the government will pay for all of your medical needs.

It seems to me that the people who are poor and don't have food or medical treatment may have mental problems that hold them back from going to the right places to ask for help.

Hi JustTalking,

That is extremely good to hear.

Well the stories and documentaries that we see in the UK do not exactly paint a rosy picture of the poor in the US.One shows a british medical charity in the US inundated with demand from the chronic sick. The sick who can not obtain health care. Families being forced to live in squalid motel rooms. The richest country in the world has the some of the poorest and can not even guarantee medical treatment for all its citizens. This is systematic of the attitude that the church represents in America. As long as I am doing fine boy. Glory glory alleluia.

It sounds like sensationalist television. I don't live in the inner city. I live in a rural city in Utah but we are pretty well taken care of. I grew up Mormon and the Mormon Church does a good job of taking care of their members. There is a Bishop's Storehouse where you can get food. The Mormon Church will pay your bills if you have a temporary financial setback.

If you don't have enough money for medical care then you can apply for Medicaid and it will pay for all of your medical expenses. I don't understand how anyone in the United States is underfed or not taken care of medically. The only thing I can think of is that they don't have the mental capacity or knowledge about where to go for help. Also, there is a gap where you make too much money to qualify for Medicaid and too little money to get good health care coverage.

The Mormon church takes care of you as long as you are an active member. They have a Bishop's Storehouse where you can get tons of food. The Mormon church will pay your bills if you have a sudden setback financially. I am not familiar with other churches but I grew up Mormon and they take really good care of you.

Also, I live in a rural/city section of Utah and as long as you fill out paperwork then you can go on Medicaid and the government will pay for all of your medical needs.

It seems to me that the people who are poor and don't have food or medical treatment may have mental problems that hold them back from going to the right places to ask for help.

Am I supposed to be impressed? How much are you expected to pay for this insurance? I like your attitude brother any one who is poor or needs medical attention is mentally ill. I am so glad I am not christian. It is a bit sad I have no god to thank him. Charity begins at home does it?

-- Updated Thu Apr 05, 2012 1:19 pm to add the following --

Xris, why do you make the assertion that charity is not an aspect of my faith? I have donated my money to charities on a regular basis. Therefore, you are wrong. I think that you owe me an apology. Also when did I assert that Christians are more moral than non-Christians? Can you be specific i.e. quote the actual post? Please Xris, try to get your facts straight before making random, ad hominem assertions about me.

So what is it Fanman.Is it part of the christian faith to be charitable or not? You tell me, please.

I am going out to get drunk Fanman . I feel I need to tonight. But the morow I will search out your posts and I will gladly show you them.

Since, Fanman, I attempt to imitate an ancient Greek philosopher, I am a technological nightmare. I do not know how to paste a bible referance, so I'll give you the passage where to find, please read it in its entirety, and then tell me if the church is not responisible for the poor. Government? Be serious, after you get done with the paperwork alone, you still have to wait. And don't tell me they can get a job, with unemployment at an all time high in the USA.

The passage is the Gospel of Matthew chapter 25, verses 31 to 46, iclusive. I realize you will probably see it differntly, but take the bible for what it says, you do the President of the church don't you?

Diogenes of Utah.

Xris,

you wrote:

Is it part of the christian faith to be charitable or not? You tell me, please.

What kind of ignorant question is that? Especially from an ex-Christian...

Diogenes of utah,

I read the bible verses that you asked me to. Like I said, I believe that the church is obliged to care for the poor. And I do feel that the church has a duty to care for the poor and those who are in need of charity, as is implied in tne scripture that you asked me to read. However, like I said, in my opinion, the actual responsibility of caring for the poor people of its country rests with the government. As JustTalking's testimony points out, the Mormon church does help those who are need of charity. The scripture that you asked me to read applies to everyone; not just the church or Christians.

As a non believer but a socialist I believe it is for all of us to care for each other. BUT in America where christian values are often expressed but no social government could exist, it becomes particular important that charities and most importantly christian charities fulfill their obligations. The question has been asked about Mormons and christian values. I will ask you again Fanman, what purpose is there in them attaining more and more wealth when their charity is so badly needed to help destitute Americans? If your a paid up member of the Mormons you will get assistance but is that christianity? There is a secular british charity in America that is desperate for money providing health care for the poor and unemployed. It has no great malls or vast amounts of money but it acts in way I believe the man Jesus intended us all to behave towards each other.

Where in the bible does it say Jesus and his earthly family of origin was poor?

Where in the bible does it say Jesus and his earthly family of origin was poor?

No idea,ask me another.

Xris, you are assuming that the Mormon church does not use it's wealth to help charities?

Recently, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Mormon church) opened up a $5 Billion shopping mall.

I'm trying to understand the philosophy behind this move by the church, considering I am an active Mormon. It seems to be a contradictory message claiming to be the church of Jesus Christ and building & owning a $5,000,000,000 shopping Mall, City Creek Center in Salt Lake City. http://www.shopcitycreekcenter.com/ This is a very elegant & high-end mall, but I can't imagine Jesus (and all he stands for) prioritizing something like this (& the many other corporations the Mormon church owns), when almost 1,000,000,000 men, women & children are starving. http://www.worldhunger.org/articles/Lea ... 202002.htm

When the church was first established, celestial weddings were performed anywhere, sometimes in temples, sometimes outside of temples. When they were performed in temples, all were invited, whether they were Mormon or not. Now, in order to be considered worthy to go to heaven (celestial kingdom) and to enter the temple, one must pay 10% tithing to the church leaders. Church leaders regularly check if members are full tithe payers by conducting temple interviews and tithing settlements. Yet, they will not allow members to know how they spend church funds. I see this as contradictory.

When I bring this up to other Mormons, they say that they trust in God's servants, the prophets (church leaders). I wonder how others see this.

Your dilemma is self evident in your questions ---- While this church takes care of it's own (?) it is selling the right to go to heaven. What is wrong with this picture? Any 'religion' that sells heaven is wrong and the truth is not there. I did not take care of my children by stealing from them. It is perfectly fine to be rich but it is how one obtains those riches and how they use their riches that make it right or wrong. The rich young ruler that Jesus spoke with and told him he lacked one thing and should sell his belongings and give to the poor was actually about his character and how he treated the poor. It was NOT about poverty being godly.

not about one needs to be poor.

Xris, you are assuming that the Mormon church does not use it's wealth to help charities?

Why am I assuming that Fanman? It is accepted, in the Mormon church, that if you contribute you will receive. There is no record of them contributing to charities external to the church. The fact remains many Americans in close proximity to these churches and Malls are suffering through lack of employment and an inability to pay for health treatment. We see a christian ( not me) asking a question about the value of the christian message and the excessive wealth the church is constantly acquiring. At what point do they look at their wealth, compare it to the suffering they observe around them and abide by the teaching of Jesus. It is not about the church loosing everything or not maintaining the ability to spreading the word of god. Christian or not we have responsibility to each other. It should be the one thing that unites us.

Xris, so because you cannot find any records of the Mormon church giving it's money to charities, it means that it does not give it's money to charities? Where did you look? Furthermore, which particular teaching of Jesus are you referring to, that the Mormon church is not abiding by, and what is your proof that they are not abiding by it?

Xris, so because you cannot find any records of the Mormon church giving it's money to charities, it means that it does not give it's money to charities? Where did you look? Furthermore, which particular teaching of Jesus are you referring to, that the Mormon church is not abiding by, and what is your proof that they are not abiding by it?

I hate posting references Fanman but you need to read this. Remember you did ask?

http://www.salamandersociety.com/foyer/budget/