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Romney's tithing raises issue in other churches
Sacramento Bee ^ | January 26, 2012 | Jennifer Garza

Posted on 01/26/2012 9:34:45 PM PST by WilliamIII

Mitt Romney's tax returns reveal that the Republican presidential candidate does something fewer Americans do these days: He tithes.

Romney's 2009 and 2010 tax returns, released Tuesday, show that he and his wife, Ann, gave 10 percent of their income, about $4.1 million, to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The couple reported income of about $43 million for the two years.

LDS church members must tithe to participate in temple rituals. Nearly 80 percent of Mormons tithe, a poll released this month by the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life shows.

While tithing among Mormons is high, it is at an all-time low – less than 3 percent – among many faith groups, according to an October report by Empty Tomb, a Christian research organization. The theology behind tithing is also being questioned, with many saying the mandate to contribute 10 percent is not biblical.

Tithing has its roots in the Old Testament – "Bring all the tithes to the storehouse," from the book of Malachi – and means one-tenth of income.

"The New Testament says a Christian is saved under grace and it does not teach tithing," said Russell Kelly who argues against it on his website, www.shouldthechurchteachtithing. com. "A lot of people would rather stay home than go to church and hear about it. All it does is make them feel as if they're cursed for not giving 10 percent."

(Excerpt) Read more at sacbee.com ...


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Extended News
KEYWORDS: inman; lds; mormons; romney; tithing
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To: Corrector
The LDS Church previously told members not to consult the Internet. Since then, the LDS Church has retained professionals in internet placement and is one of the largest owners of domains in the world. If you Google "LDS Humanitarian Aid," the first three pages, and for pages and pages after that, you'll find LDS-owned domains with different names that have been optimized to come up.

However, in 2006, the LDS Church issued a statement printed by Deseret News Publishing Company, saying that "since 1984, the LDS Church has donated nearly $750 million in cash and goods to people in need in more than 150 countries.”

That's $37.5 million per year or less than $4 per Mormon. That's less than 1% of revenues based on very, very, very conservative estimates of revenue. For a Church with assets in the tens of billions of dollars, there are many corporations that aren't nonprofit entities, or religious entities that give well in excess of $37.5 million per year.

And $750 over 22 years pales when you consider the Church is spending approximately $4 billion on the City Creek Center Mall.

Unlike volunteers from many groups, the LDS always issues press releases whenever it provides any humanitarian aid, and outfits its members in special yellow t-shirts to be noticed.

I won't bring that up, except for your "Corrector" statement about the aid going far beyond the members. It simply doesn't and hasn't.

Other Christian religions also require tithing.I'm unaware of any Christian churches that keep track of tithing and require you to be current (and caught up from previous years) to enter their temple/sanctuary/cathedrals, to view the weddings/baptisms of their children or relatives (or to be married in their temples), to be exalted, to earn the church doctrine's promise of families forever, or to become a god over his own universe (with multiple goddesses who have been sealed to him).

Now - as for the theology? That's theology. I respect your right to believe in eternal progression, and exaltation. But other churches don't tie heavenly rewards to being current on their tithes on earth.

How familiar are you with the history of the two revelations Joseph Smith says he received on tithing? The events that took place before he received them? The text of the revelations?

141 posted on 01/27/2012 6:02:50 PM PST by Scoutmaster (You knew the job was dangerous when you took it)
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To: Corrector
Mormons pay tithing to their bishop privately

And why do you think that is?

I can make a payment to my God through my church anonymously, through placing a sealed envelope in the collection plate or by slipping it in a special box in the church office (which is empty during much of Sunday morning).

Nobody knows how much I gave except God and me.

But you pay your tithe to your bishop - because your bishop needs to keep track, and you have to be certain your bishop keeps track. You need credit for that tithe, not with God, but with the LDS Church. It's your ticket to the Temple. It's your ticket to watching your daughter or son get married in the temple, or watching your grandchildren get baptized. If you're widowed, it's your ticket to spending eternity with your deceased husband (provided he calls the name given you in the Temple Marriage and brings you through the curtain, if I understand the theology).

So of course you pay tithing to the bishop.

Again, I respect your right to your theology. But acknowledge the reason you pay your tithe to your bishop. Look at all the cash put in a collection plate in a Baptist or Methodist church. People give to give, and they give anonymously. How much money in anonymous tithes does the LDS Church take in?

142 posted on 01/27/2012 6:25:07 PM PST by Scoutmaster (You knew the job was dangerous when you took it)
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To: reaganaut
Video: Mitt Romney claims Jesus to rule from two places (Olivet and Missouri) Mormon Temple?
143 posted on 01/27/2012 6:33:06 PM PST by monkapotamus
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To: Corrector; Colofornian; greyfoxx39; Godzilla; colorcountry; SENTINEL; SZonian; reaganaut
I imagine that most of you have your minds made up and have never bothered to really speak to many members to understand us.

LOL! A large portion of the inmans here grew up in Mormon families. I suspect that maybe you are a recently brainwashed convert.

I am a fifth generation Mormon turned Christian and I can testify to you that Mormonism is a wholly different religion from Christianity.

The Mormon Jesus is Satan's brother. The Christian Jesus is the Creator of all things, including Satan.

We have had our eyes opened by God. You are walking in blindness, and yet you think you have the light. The bible says that if the light that is in you is darkness, then how great is that darkness.

Maybe you should study the Christian Gospel instead of being an apologist for a false gospel. Start with the first chapter of Galatians.

/rant

144 posted on 01/27/2012 6:36:24 PM PST by P-Marlowe (NEWT!!! The Anti-EstablishMITTarian Candidate)
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To: Corrector; Saundra Duffy; restornu; Colofornian; greyfoxx39; Godzilla; colorcountry; SENTINEL; ...
Corrector
Since Jan 27, 2012

Saundra, is that you?

We know you aren't resty.

145 posted on 01/27/2012 7:02:14 PM PST by P-Marlowe (NEWT!!! The Anti-EstablishMITTarian Candidate)
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To: P-Marlowe

I think it is PD as a retread. This is their only post. Let’s see if they show up again.


146 posted on 01/27/2012 7:03:14 PM PST by reaganaut (If Romney is a conservative then I'm the frickin Angel Moroni.)
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To: reaganaut; Corrector; Paragon Defender
I think it is PD as a retread.

So am I IAPDS?

147 posted on 01/27/2012 7:05:08 PM PST by P-Marlowe (NEWT!!! The Anti-EstablishMITTarian Candidate)
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To: Cincinna

I said sworn to SILENCE, meaning they won’t yack your donations to just anybody in the church even if pestered to do so.


148 posted on 01/27/2012 7:36:37 PM PST by HiTech RedNeck (Sometimes progressives find their scripture in the penumbra of sacred bathroom stall writings (Tzar))
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To: Cincinna

At least — not yack it associated with you. My church does totals by envelope number and the numbers are kept anonymous except to confidential treasurer’s records.


149 posted on 01/27/2012 7:38:14 PM PST by HiTech RedNeck (Sometimes progressives find their scripture in the penumbra of sacred bathroom stall writings (Tzar))
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To: P-Marlowe

The devil’s brother you say. Even before the devil sinned, that could not have been true. Jesus may have come to be a brother to MEN, but the bible (e.g. Hebrews) appears to disavow that anyone (let alone God) can be a brother to ANGELS.


150 posted on 01/27/2012 7:41:42 PM PST by HiTech RedNeck (Sometimes progressives find their scripture in the penumbra of sacred bathroom stall writings (Tzar))
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To: Elsie

We know, and Acts 15 appears to be an issue of policies of church conduct. There was an issue about how gentile and Jewish believers in Christ should get along. Paul solved the problem by asking the gentile believers to follow the old Noahide standards of gentile conduct — which was something respected by Jews — but by no means the full megilla of Jewish ritual (like abstaining from pork) would be required.

Any parallel practice beyond that to Old Testament customs would be a purely voluntary thing. “It’s in the bible” really doesn’t answer all questions. You have to also know “in what context.”


151 posted on 01/27/2012 7:48:24 PM PST by HiTech RedNeck (Sometimes progressives find their scripture in the penumbra of sacred bathroom stall writings (Tzar))
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To: RC one

I just read that they convert and baptize dead people including victims of the holocaust I find it appalling to say the least

Go Newt!!


152 posted on 01/27/2012 9:25:16 PM PST by StPaulRevert
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To: StPaulRevert

They’re just like the rest of us, they put their magic underwear on one leg at a time.


153 posted on 01/27/2012 9:31:23 PM PST by RC one (the majority of republicans agree, anyone but Romney.)
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To: Godzilla

A few more comments, for clarification:

* The Mormon Church uses a variety of charities, as well as their own efforts, to provide humanitarian aid, not to mention the work of service missionaries sent specifically to help around the world.

* The church does not “demand” tithing. When I lost my job, I continued to pay tithing while I was receiving temporary support from the church. That’s how it works. It’s a principal of faith, as I explained before. How can I expect the blessings of a principal if I don’t live it? The fact that I had applied faith and was being supported locally by neighbors who cared about me was an important factor in my ability to find work again.

* The original reference to tithing predates the Law of Israel. Check out Abraham paying tithes to Melchizedek.

* I’m not sure how the mall in SLC reduces my argument. Also, they have a vested interest in improving the area surrounding the SL temple.


154 posted on 01/27/2012 9:31:59 PM PST by Corrector
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To: Corrector

So, are you a high priest in the order of Melchizadek, like Milt Rominy?


155 posted on 01/27/2012 9:39:02 PM PST by MHGinTN (Being deceived can be cured.)
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To: Corrector

Since it is very unlikely, n))b that you will answer honestly, I’ll also ask what do you make of the directives issued to Gentiles from that Church high council meeting in Acts Chapter fifteen? ... Too bad they didn’t have a peepstone sexual predator of married women like Joseph Smith to teach them the ‘finer points’ of a saving relationship with Jesus Christ, eh?


156 posted on 01/27/2012 9:50:00 PM PST by MHGinTN (Being deceived can be cured.)
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To: Corrector

You’re parsing. “demand”?

Payment of tithing is attached to all of the rewards promised to devout, temple attending mormons.

No tithing = no temple; no temple = no endowments; no endowments = no sealings; no sealings = no exaltation; no exaltation = no CELESTIAL kingdom.

IOW, the “demand” is presented to you in the form of coercion. Coercion to abide by certain man made precepts and pagan rituals in return for a “promise” that you and your posterity will attain exaltation (godhood).

The SLC mall references your comments about how “charitable” the lds are with their member’s money. So “charitable” in fact, that a $4B mall is building up the kingdom of zion. Really?

Does a mega million dollar Hawaii beach resort present a “vested interest” for the lds in improving the area surrounding its location?


157 posted on 01/27/2012 11:26:18 PM PST by SZonian (Throwing our allegiances to political party's in the long run gave away our liberty.)
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To: Colofornian
So, why do you assume we lack discernment?

Easy!

It's what we've been TAUGHT!!

--MormonDude(Now if we had only been taught the DIFFERENCE between actually PROVING what we claim instead of just ACCUSING folks; now THAT would have been helpful!)

158 posted on 01/28/2012 6:12:33 AM PST by Elsie (Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going)
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To: CommerceComet
If a person pays on the net, then it seems to follow that a person should pay a tithe on the tax refund.

WHAT 'refund'?

Only a person who has PREPAID their taxes TOO much would get a 'refund'.

Tithe on it TWICE?

159 posted on 01/28/2012 6:14:58 AM PST by Elsie (Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going)
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To: reaganaut

It’s more mouthy than PD - much closer to SD


160 posted on 01/28/2012 6:17:48 AM PST by Elsie (Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going)
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