How the Mormons Make Money

[Archie Moses]

I think calling into question the use of funds is fair game.

As a non-denominational Christian, I am often turned off by the building of these mega-churches that seat 5,000+ .. and the debt on the building puts a chokehold on the congregations finances. Instead of spending their energies reaching the lost, they're fretting over paying for a building.

I use that example because I'm not calling out the Mormon church, but Religions in general.

It's absolutely fair game. I don't mean to come off as a jerk (sorry Zombie) but come on, give me a break. If you read the article, it clearly says why the church built it. Plus, it's not like the church doesn't spend millions/billions in humanitarianism, etc. I mean, the church founded Salt Lake City, and them spending money to make the city a better place and giving the citizens more to do, is pretty cool. Was it a lot of money? Yes. Can some people think they're vain for building it? Absolutely. But with that said, you're lying to yourself if you deny that what I was saying about people trying to make he church look evil every chance they get doesn't have some validity to it. Or doesn't it?

 

[Archie Moses]

I hate the idea that we should all suffer so long as any of us suffer. It seems like a noble notion, but it's pure evil.

I'm not getting your point. With that said, I like you, and I think you're a great guy, but I put you in the same group of people that try and poke the beast every chance you get. Or am I reading you wrong?

 

[sirkickyass]

Why does a church need to make a mall...?

Trax development moved much of the existing downtown infrastructure a few miles away, which threatened to decay the area immediately surrounding the temple. Frankly that would have kind of sucked for the church.

It's a worthy project as far as SLC development goes and that's fine. The LDS church is really a local organization with satellite branches in many ways and this is an example of that.

 

[Dr. Jones]

It's absolutely fair game. I don't mean to come off as a jerk (sorry Zombie) but come on, give me a break. If you read the article, it clearly says why the church built it. Plus, it's not like the church doesn't spend millions/billions in humanitarianism, etc. I mean, the church founded Salt Lake City, and them spending money to make the city a better place and giving the citizens more to do, is pretty cool. Was it a lot of money? Yes. Can some people think they're vain for building it? Absolutely. But with that said, you're lying to yourself if you deny that what I was saying about people trying to make he church look evil every chance they get doesn't have some validity to it. Or doesn't it?

There's no doubt that some seize every opportunity to poke. It doesn't bother me, very often. I happen to believe all religions have an element of ego-centric control, vanity, power, etc. Those same religions to great things, have great folks doing awesome things with humility. Some will focus on the former. Most believers focus on the latter.

I tend to just call it like I see it, for better or worse, but always with a definite respect.

 

[Gameface]

I'm not getting your point. With that said, I like you, and I think you're a great guy, but I put you in the same group of people that try and poke the beast every chance you get. Or am I reading you wrong?

One, if I have a disparaging remark to make about the LDS church I'll go ahead and make it. I have strong opinions on the matter. Local culture is part of who I am.

As far as my statement, a few people criticized the church for spending so much to revitalize an already prosperous city because so many schools in Africa could be built. I think the idea that nothing nice should exist so long as anything bad exists is pure evil. To phrase it another way, it's like saying that nothing holy should exist as long as evil exists, essentially handing victory to Satan, right?

 

[Archie Moses]

There's no doubt that some seize every opportunity to poke. It doesn't bother me, very often. I happen to believe all religions have an element of ego-centric control, vanity, power, etc. Those same religions to great things, have great folks doing awesome things with humility. Some will focus on the former. Most believers focus on the latter.

I tend to just call it like I see it, for better or worse, but always with a definite respect.

I guess I need to realize that I shouldn't expect everyone to have the same beliefs as I do. I'm not talking about religious beliefs. I'm talking about believing it's pointless and dumb to point out other's beliefs as evil.

 

[7StraightIsGreat]

Is it just me or is there a trend of posters that follow LDS threads and ALWAYS try and make the church "evil" and "bad" and "wrong" as if they're trying to justify their reasoning and/or hate/intolerance for it?

Here's a message to those whiney school girls. Shut your pie hole and quit playing the "LDS people and church is so, so evil" card. We get it that you don't like it, we're just tired of hearing you yip.

It might be just you. It certainly seems like anytime somebody dares question your church, you turn into a crying, emo, vaj about it.

 

[Archie Moses]

One, if I have a disparaging remark to make about the LDS church I'll go ahead and make it. I have strong opinions on the matter. Local culture is part of who I am.

As far as my statement, a few people criticized the church for spending so much to revitalize an already prosperous city because so many schools in Africa could be built. I think the idea that nothing nice should exist so long as anything bad exists is pure evil. To phrase it another way, it's like saying that nothing holy should exist as long as evil exists, essentially handing victory to Satan, right?

Solid reasoning.

 

[Archie Moses]

It might be just you. It certainly seems like anytime somebody dares question your church, you turn into a crying, emo, vaj about it.

Solid point.

 

[Dr. Jones]

To further my post. I feel believers too often turn off unbelievers (that may be searching/open) because we lack the ability to own up to our own deficiencies, our own issues .. we too often come off as perfect (or nearly) and we, perhaps unintentionally, come off as 'better.'

If more of us own up to our imperfections, show some humility, stop coming off as feeling sorry for the unbeliever, we probably wouldn't be viewed as so dang obnoxious.

(This wasn't directed to you, at all, Archie .. just typing my thoughts)

 

[sirkickyass]

I've often said that I wouldn't mind going to church pretty much solely on a social club basis. Unfortunately, it doesn't usually work out like that.

 

[Archie Moses]

To further my post. I feel believers too often turn off unbelievers (that may be searching/open) because we lack the ability to own up to our own deficiencies, our own issues .. we too often come off as perfect (or nearly) and we, perhaps unintentionally, come off as 'better.'

If more of us own up to our imperfections, show some humility, stop coming off as feeling sorry for the unbeliever, we probably wouldn't be viewed as so dang obnoxious.

(This wasn't directed to you, at all, Archie .. just typing my thoughts)

I totally understand this and I agree. I'll be the first to admit defensiveness towards something that I believe. I think that's human nature. Going back to my original point though on the matter though, I'm talking about track records. I kinda trolled posting this thread to see how many of the same posters would turn up bashing. I wasn't surprised.