JAHS Posted May 14, 2020 Posted May 14, 2020 As a response to the economic effects of the Covid 19 issue, I have heard church critics and those that just don't understand the concept, that the church should refund or suspend Tithing payments by members to help with their finances during the crisis. Such people might agree with the fake letter that was making the rounds a weeks or so ago. Anyone else see it?
Scott Lloyd Posted May 14, 2020 Posted May 14, 2020 3 minutes ago, JAHS said: As a response to the economic effects of the Covid 19 issue, I have heard church critics and those that just don't understand the concept, that the church should refund or suspend Tithing payments by members to help with their finances during the crisis. Such people might agree with the fake letter that was making the rounds a weeks or so ago. Anyone else see it? I didn’t see it, but it is ridiculous on its face, as anyone who truly understands the concept of tithing should know. Tithing, by definition, is 10 percent of one’s income, and if the income has been reduced for whatever reason, the amount of the tithe is commensurately reduced. 2
JAHS Posted May 14, 2020 Author Posted May 14, 2020 17 minutes ago, Scott Lloyd said: I didn’t see it, but it is ridiculous on its face, as anyone who truly understands the concept of tithing should know. Tithing, by definition, is 10 percent of one’s income, and if the income has been reduced for whatever reason, the amount of the tithe is commensurately reduced. Yes but this letter also refers to a refund of tithing already paid which is something not likely to happen. Instead of refunding, there's always the Fast Offering program that helps anyone when needed.
alter idem Posted May 14, 2020 Posted May 14, 2020 40 minutes ago, JAHS said: As a response to the economic effects of the Covid 19 issue, I have heard church critics and those that just don't understand the concept, that the church should refund or suspend Tithing payments by members to help with their finances during the crisis. Such people might agree with the fake letter that was making the rounds a weeks or so ago. Anyone else see it? Could this have been satire? Was someone trying to be funny, maybe?
JAHS Posted May 14, 2020 Author Posted May 14, 2020 7 minutes ago, alter idem said: Could this have been satire? Was someone trying to be funny, maybe? Probably trying to see how many gullible people would fall for it. Obviously it never made it to all bishops in the church. 1
Popular Post bluebell Posted May 14, 2020 Popular Post Posted May 14, 2020 It seems like most of the time, the people complaining about tithing don't actually pay it. 13
Rain Posted May 15, 2020 Posted May 15, 2020 The first thought that was in my head: what a nightmare if you itemize your taxes! 1
Calm Posted May 15, 2020 Posted May 15, 2020 1 hour ago, alter idem said: Could this have been satire? Was someone trying to be funny, maybe? Or similar to the fake letter or announcement apologizing for the priesthood ban, something they would like to see the Church do, but don’t expect. 1
Tacenda Posted May 15, 2020 Posted May 15, 2020 2 hours ago, bluebell said: It seems like most of the time, the people complaining about tithing don't actually pay it. You may be right, I never had trouble paying it before my faith crisis. I'd even want to pay over and above, but mainly in fast offerings.
Tacenda Posted May 15, 2020 Posted May 15, 2020 2 hours ago, alter idem said: Could this have been satire? Was someone trying to be funny, maybe? Well, I believe the culprit is our friend, @consiglieri.
The Nehor Posted May 15, 2020 Posted May 15, 2020 2 hours ago, Rain said: The first thought that was in my head: what a nightmare if you itemize your taxes! The legal conditions surrounding donations are interesting. The laws around it also show why the verbiage was added to donation slips that funds will generally be used for the designated purpose but there is no guarantee of it. Hint: It is not because the Apostles desperately wanted to use the Temple fund to run missions or to use tithing money for Fast Offering purposes or vice versa. 1
Popular Post Garden Girl Posted May 15, 2020 Popular Post Posted May 15, 2020 I have been retired since 1990... this is my 30th year of retirement (I went out at age 50 because my husband was already retired). I reactivated in Church in 1995 after being inactive for 35 years. I started paying tithing right away and have done so ever since. Every month I pay tithing on my pension/social sec with a joyful heart because the promise that the windows of heaven would be opened has been absolutely true in numerous ways. I always say that I can't afford not to pay my tithing. I do have to say that I know of some ward members who pay tithing faithfully but still struggle. I don't know why they struggle and I seem to be particularly blessed... I just know that at age 80 I'm grateful. GG 8
Scott Lloyd Posted May 15, 2020 Posted May 15, 2020 10 minutes ago, Garden Girl said: I have been retired since 1990... this is my 30th year of retirement (I went out at age 50 because my husband was already retired). I reactivated in Church in 1995 after being inactive for 35 years. I started paying tithing right away and have done so ever since. Every month I pay tithing on my pension/social sec with a joyful heart because the promise that the windows of heaven would be opened has been absolutely true in numerous ways. I always say that I can't afford not to pay my tithing. I do have to say that I know of some ward members who pay tithing faithfully but still struggle. I don't know why they struggle and I seem to be particularly blessed... I just know that at age 80 I'm grateful. GG Congratulations on your longevity. I just passed my two-year mark for retirement. I hope to be able to look back on 30-plus years of retirement. 3
cacheman Posted May 15, 2020 Posted May 15, 2020 9 hours ago, JAHS said: Probably trying to see how many gullible people would fall for it. Obviously it never made it to all bishops in the church. It appears to have been making the rounds in Africa. I googled "LDS tithing refund letter" and looked in the recent news. There were at least a dozen news stories in Ghana, Zambia, and Nigeria discussing this "viral" letter. I only saw one news story exposing it as a fake (I believe it was correcting an earlier story about the letter).
cacheman Posted May 15, 2020 Posted May 15, 2020 26 minutes ago, Calm said: That is unfortunate. You have to wonder if this was a targeted operation. I only saw a few articles in US news sites and none from European, Asian, or oceanic news organizations. Most of the African articles appear to pre-date those in the US. 2
Meadowchik Posted May 15, 2020 Posted May 15, 2020 I've seen it in a group for UK exmormons. It was generally dismissed as fake.
alter idem Posted May 15, 2020 Posted May 15, 2020 5 hours ago, cacheman said: It appears to have been making the rounds in Africa. I googled "LDS tithing refund letter" and looked in the recent news. There were at least a dozen news stories in Ghana, Zambia, and Nigeria discussing this "viral" letter. I only saw one news story exposing it as a fake (I believe it was correcting an earlier story about the It's hard for me to understand people who spend their time and energy on things like this What were they trying to achieve? Are they in some sort of organization? I think they have to be to make something so inane go viral over countries. Childish....High school age hi jinks, imo.🤐 4
Tacenda Posted May 15, 2020 Posted May 15, 2020 This one went viral, and like I mentioned in another thread, my TBM friends shared it on FB. It's not real, because a letter was posted from a stake president to a member that it isn't real.
bluebell Posted May 15, 2020 Posted May 15, 2020 6 hours ago, cacheman said: It appears to have been making the rounds in Africa. I googled "LDS tithing refund letter" and looked in the recent news. There were at least a dozen news stories in Ghana, Zambia, and Nigeria discussing this "viral" letter. I only saw one news story exposing it as a fake (I believe it was correcting an earlier story about the letter). Whoever made the fake tithing letter didn't learn anything from the guy who made the fake apology for the priesthood ban.
Calm Posted May 15, 2020 Posted May 15, 2020 3 hours ago, bluebell said: Whoever made the fake tithing letter didn't learn anything from the guy who made the fake apology for the priesthood ban. Depends on their goal
Tacenda Posted May 15, 2020 Posted May 15, 2020 4 hours ago, bluebell said: Whoever made the fake tithing letter didn't learn anything from the guy who made the fake apology for the priesthood ban. I believe I know who it is, listened to a recent podcast with RFM, he mentioned he put it out, I swear he said it, usually I'm half awake. He could have done the PH ban one as well. https://mormondiscussionpodcast.org/2020/05/radio-free-mormon-167-tithing-refund/ He also talks about the PEF, Perpetual Education Fund. And I had no idea it was run like this. Maybe it's no big deal, but he mentions that the church doesn't touch the "principal" amount only the "interest" made off of the "principal", that is given out for school loans. And mentions that the loans need to be paid back with a small amount of interest, why interest?? Oh, well. So that makes me scratch my head on it being right to do that. But what do I know about these funds.
alter idem Posted May 15, 2020 Posted May 15, 2020 2 minutes ago, Tacenda said: I believe I know who it is, listened to a recent podcast with RFM, he mentioned he put it out, I swear he said it, usually I'm half awake. He could have done the PH ban one as well. https://mormondiscussionpodcast.org/2020/05/radio-free-mormon-167-tithing-refund/ He also talks about the PEF, Perpetual Education Fund. And I had no idea it was run like this. Maybe it's no big deal, but he mentions that the church doesn't touch the "principal" amount only the "interest" made off of the "principal", that is given out for school loans. And mentions that the loans need to be paid back with a small amount of interest, why interest?? Oh, well. So that makes me scratch my head on it being right to do that. But what do I know about these funds. Well yea, if you want it to be 'perpetual', you don't touch the principle amount, duh. Was he complaining about that? Does he have a clue how these things work? It was inspired by the Perpetual Emigration fund, which was designed to be self sustaining and the point is for those who use it to 'give back' to those in the future who will use it also, it's a loan, so it has some interest, but the assumption is it helps the beneficiary to get a good job so it's not a hardship to pay back. And then, those in the future will have money available for their loans as well. The more money in it as it grows, the more available for loans. Am I wrong in feeling that some people, like RFM are constantly running down the church and looking to accuse and criticize on everything it does? This one really takes the cake, I just can't come up with why he'd complain about it. Maybe he could do a little research first, before assuming the church is somehow being miserly, stingy and greedy--at the same time they are making low interest rate loans widely available! imo. 3
Calm Posted May 15, 2020 Posted May 15, 2020 (edited) A little interest ensures those who get it are serious about improving their lives, imo, so it is less likely to be a loss and prevent someone else from getting a loan. It also encourages them to pay it back in a timely manner, which is good for them as well as the Church as it is hard to have debt hanging in you. Edited May 15, 2020 by Calm 3
bluebell Posted May 15, 2020 Posted May 15, 2020 3 hours ago, Calm said: Depends on their goal That’s true. If their goal was to cause hurt and confusion, they probably feel accomplished.
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