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Actually, you certainly didn't sound grateful in your prior posts; you sounded like a hurt child. But anyway, good for you. I'm not surprised that they never got a dime from you, as only members of the Church are asked to pay tithing. Tithing is not even accepted from non-members.
<<SNIP>>
The Mormon Church will absolutely accept contributions from non-Mormons. If a non-Mormon wants to follow the commandment from God that they pay tithing, and they make a contribution to the Mormon church of 10% of their interest, the church WILL accept it. Given that they have followed the commandment, is that not tithing?
The Mormon Church will absolutely accept contributions from non-Mormons. If a non-Mormon wants to follow the commandment from God that they pay tithing, and they make a contribution to the Mormon church of 10% of their interest, the church WILL accept it. Given that they have followed the commandment, is that not tithing?
I didn't say the Church wouldn't accept contributions from non-members. As I understand it, though, any such donations are not considered to be tithing.
I didn't say the Church wouldn't accept contributions from non-members. As I understand it, though, any such donations are not considered to be tithing.
I’m not getting into this point to be snarky, but rather because I find it truly confusing.
How is a non-Mormon supposed to comply with God’s commandment to pay tithing?
Okay, so you don't know the difference. That much was already obvious. FYI: Gross income is pre-tax income. Net income is post-tax income. So, net income is actually a smaller amount than gross income. See, if the missionaries told you (inaccurately) that you had to pay on your net income, they were talking about an amount that was less than what you'd have been paying had you insisted on paying on your gross income.
All I know is if the Bishop were asking me about tithing on gross or net income...
I'd break out that verse where Jesus says to render unto Caesar what is Caesar's and render unto God what belongs to God. I'd say my gross income was the "Caesar" part of the situation.
I wouldn't want to have to tithe on the part that belongs to Caesar.
In terms of organized religions, I think the Mormons have a good system. For a 10% tithe and a volunteer mandate (2 years?), you get cradle to grave care and maintenance. They also don't discriminate ethnically. It's socialism done right.
They've also done genealogists a huge favor with their campaign to preserve records. Much better record overall than other organized religions IMO.
"Welfare Guidelines
“When Church members are doing all they can to provide for themselves but cannot meet their basic needs, generally they should first turn to their families for help. When this is not sufficient or feasible, the Church stands ready to help.”
Handbook 2: Administering the Church (2010), 6.1.1."
I’m not getting into this point to be snarky, but rather because I find it truly confusing.
How is a non-Mormon supposed to comply with God’s commandment to pay tithing?
A non-member may pay 10% of his income to the LDS Church and consider it as tithing, thereby satisfying the commandment. It is not counted as tithing in the Church's records.
All I know is if the Bishop were asking me about tithing on gross or net income...
I'd break out that verse where Jesus says to render unto Caesar what is Caesar's and render unto God what belongs to God. I'd say my gross income was the "Caesar" part of the situation.
I wouldn't want to have to tithe on the part that belongs to Caesar.
I totally understand and find your point entirely valid. That is why bishops don't ask people if they are paying on their gross or their net. If a member asks his bishop what constitutes a full tithing, bishops are instructed to tell him that that's a matter between him and the Lord. I mentioned that in my post #30. Some members of the Church are adamant about paying on their gross. Others pay on their net with a completely clear conscience. That is why the Church put out the directive.
In terms of organized religions, I think the Mormons have a good system. For a 10% tithe and a volunteer mandate (2 years?), you get cradle to grave care and maintenance. They also don't discriminate ethnically. It's socialism done right.
They've also done genealogists a huge favor with their campaign to preserve records. Much better record overall than other organized religions IMO.
"Welfare Guidelines
“When Church members are doing all they can to provide for themselves but cannot meet their basic needs, generally they should first turn to their families for help. When this is not sufficient or feasible, the Church stands ready to help.”
Handbook 2: Administering the Church (2010), 6.1.1."
A non-member may pay 10% of his income to the LDS Church and consider it as tithing, thereby satisfying the commandment. It is not counted as tithing in the Church's records.
This is a bit of a stretch, Katz. If the Church doesn’t consider it tithing, and won’t in fact accept tithing from a non-member, then it isn’t tithing. The determination of whether or not something is considered tithing is made by the Mormon Church, not by a donor.
Case in point - if you were to take your 10%, and instead of giving it to the Mormon Church, you decided to give it to the Methodist Church, or to a homeless shelter, that wouldn’t be tithing. You would not be able to claim to be a full tithe payer in Tithing Settlement, and you wouldn’t be able to get a temple recommend. Why? Because according to the church, you didn’t pay tithing. It doesn’t matter that you paid your 10%, and it wouldn’t matter if YOU considered it to be tithing. Because the church makes that determination, not you.
This is a bit of a stretch, Katz. If the Church doesn’t consider it tithing, and won’t in fact accept tithing from a non-member, then it isn’t tithing. The determination of whether or not something is considered tithing is made by the Mormon Church, not by a donor.
Case in point - if you were to take your 10%, and instead of giving it to the Mormon Church, you decided to give it to the Methodist Church, or to a homeless shelter, that wouldn’t be tithing. You would not be able to claim to be a full tithe payer in Tithing Settlement, and you wouldn’t be able to get a temple recommend. Why? Because according to the church, you didn’t pay tithing. It doesn’t matter that you paid your 10%, and it wouldn’t matter if YOU considered it to be tithing. Because the church makes that determination, not you.
The donor would have a clear conscience and the Lord would know his heart, which is all that really matters. In other words, a rose by any other name would smell as sweet. So what if the Church applies the money towards a different fund? The donor wouldn't be eligible for a temple recommend anyway, so that wouldn't even be a factor.
How many non-members do you believe we're even talking about anyway? I wouldn't think that all that many non-members would be willing to give 10% of their income to the LDS Church but not want to join it. I think most donations to the Church by non-members are probably one-time donations anyway, and wouldn't even approach 10% of the person's income.
I think you just like to argue with me. I'll tell you what. How about I let you have the last word and we can be done with this? I'm not interested in continuing this discussion with you.
Last edited by Katzpur; 08-03-2023 at 09:25 AM..
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