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Haters gonna hate.
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I could probably use some sound financial advice. Also, if I could get the tax exemption, I'd be all for it.Originally posted by tooblue View Post
Context is important ...
In CBS’s ‘60 Minutes’ segment on church finances, it missed the sweeping rags-to-riches history of faith
https://www.deseret.com/faith/2023/5...what-it-missed
There was a lot of conjecture in the piece. Based on that conjecture, this statement is interesting ...
"If the church did have $150 billion, a figure the church did not confirm during the “60 Minutes” interview, then the $6 billion it is said to spend annually on its mission would represent 4% in annual charitable spending, above what a retired IRS executive told “60 Minutes” would be necessary for a non-church 501c3 to maintain its nonprofit status."
I thought Bishop Waddell handled himself well. I'll tell you what though Green, why don't you open your personal books to the many posters here and we will happily tell you what to do with your money—we'll happily direct your financial life for you
Because you're a smart guy, you understand how your analogy fails (miserably). The policy underlying tax-exempt charitable organizations is that they serve a public good. But really, this is probably a legislative problem. Maybe we should just require tax exempt charitable organizations to report their wealth and income. We can definitely trust the church to file proper filings required by law, right?Jesus wants me for a sunbeam.
"Cog dis is a bitch." -James PattersonComment
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We all know the context of the past financial problems, Des News. I mean we all watched or showed 'The Windows of Heaven' numerous times. Now that the church is so far away from those dire straits, the question is should it now change its investment strategies?"...you pointy-headed autopsy nerd. Do you think it's possible for you to post without using words like "hilarious," "absurd," "canard," and "truther"? Your bare assertions do not make it so. Maybe your reasoning is too stunted and your vocabulary is too limited to go without these epithets."
"You are an intemperate, unscientific poster who makes light of very serious matters.”
- SeattleUteComment
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I dunno know. I look at the other side of the coin. Is a $150B rainy day fund really enough? Let's bring back ward budget donations - that's another 2-3% (maybe more) - after all, the chapel needs electricity and heating. And those areas that need a building because they are meeting in a high-school band room on Sundays and member's homes for YMYW- let's return to the practice of needing to cough up a significant portion of building costs locally before SLC will kick in. Also, more money if SLC decides the area needs to support a stake welfare farm and buys land (expecting to be significantly reimbursed by local donations). And don't forget the primary kids - donate a penny for each year or inch to support LDS Children's Hospital.Originally posted by BigPiney View Post
In all seriousness, I do support your comment to hire janitors. I would also support large cutbacks to CES - all seminary staffing is volunteer/callings. Sell all seminary buildings next to high schools and hold seminary classes in chapels - early morning seminary for all! And those church-owned boys/girls camps - GONE - that's what state parks are for.“Not the victory but the action. Not the goal but the game. In the deed the glory.”
"All things are measured against Nebraska." falafelComment
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Slow your roll. haha.Originally posted by Paperback Writer View Post
I actually think we should have full-time, paid, and trained clergy. Maybe not one per ward, but a couple per stake who are licensed family counselors and fully dedicated to the church.Jesus wants me for a sunbeam.
"Cog dis is a bitch." -James PattersonComment
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People grinding the same old axes. Yawn..."There is no creature more arrogant than a self-righteous libertarian on the web, am I right? Those folks are just intolerable."
"It's no secret that the great American pastime is no longer baseball. Now it's sanctimony." -- Guy Periwinkle, The Nix.
"Juilliardk N I ibuprofen Hyu I U unhurt u" - creeksterComment
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Nathan Oman, a historian and professor of law at William & Mary Law School in Williamsburg, Virginia, quoted in the article agrees with you.Originally posted by Northwestcoug View Post
“The financial model the church has now was created to solve a bunch of problems in the 1960s,” Oman said. “It’s a very new chapter. I don’t think there’s any reason to suppose the financial model put into place in the 1960s is going to work effectively in the 2020s, 60 years later.”Comment
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doesn’t the church already report it’s wealth and income, just not publicly. The IRS is definitely aware. It’s not like this whistleblower filed his report and then the IRS was like “oh crap, yeah, maybe we should look at this rich church!”Originally posted by Green Monstah View Post
Context is important. The whistleblower likely spend thane the context for what the money is there for."Discipleship is not a spectator sport. We cannot expect to experience the blessing of faith by standing inactive on the sidelines any more than we can experience the benefits of health by sitting on a sofa watching sporting events on television and giving advice to the athletes. And yet for some, “spectator discipleship” is a preferred if not primary way of worshipping." -Pres. UchtdorfComment
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Yes, it fails on many levels but is also pertinent. You likely benefit from many tax exemptions depending on the circumstances, but lets focus on the 60 minutes story. Did you see the face of the reporter when asking the question and Bishop Waddell responded ...Originally posted by Green Monstah View Post
"Christopher Waddell: The difference is-—I guess it's a point of view… it's confidential in order to maintain the focus on what our purpose is and what the mission of the church is, rather than the church has X amount of money.
Sharyn Alfonsi: But don't you agree this would be a non-issue if there was more transparency?
Christopher Waddell: No, because then everyone would be telling us what they wanted us to do with the money."
It was as if the reporter hadn't even considered that aspect of this situation. That is the point I am making with my analogy. Thus, my analogy also hits the mark squarely on the head.
This is a story in search of a scandal. Problem is, there is no scandal except paper work wasn't filed.Last edited by tooblue; 05-15-2023, 10:24 AM.Comment
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The model seems to be working too well…Originally posted by Bo Diddley View Post"Discipleship is not a spectator sport. We cannot expect to experience the blessing of faith by standing inactive on the sidelines any more than we can experience the benefits of health by sitting on a sofa watching sporting events on television and giving advice to the athletes. And yet for some, “spectator discipleship” is a preferred if not primary way of worshipping." -Pres. UchtdorfComment
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There is LDS Social Services—paid, licensed and trained counsellors to which every Bishop can direct members for mental health support. In many instances they act as triage, and encourage individuals to seek counselling from other professionals that a person might access through their health plan or other government services.Originally posted by Green Monstah View PostComment
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Agreed. This is a big meh for me.Originally posted by Jeff Lebowski View Post
I don't care how much money the church has. I pay my tithing voluntarily and receive intangible religious benefits for it and consider my life the better because of it. I don't care how the church chooses to use its money or where they ask their members to serve vs. where they choose to have paid staff or any number of other things they could potentially spend, or not spend, their money on.Comment
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If people had been giving $ to GM with the expectation that he is a Charity and then I think it would be ok for us to question what he is doing with the money.Originally posted by tooblue View Post
Context is important ...
In CBS’s ‘60 Minutes’ segment on church finances, it missed the sweeping rags-to-riches history of faith
https://www.deseret.com/faith/2023/5...what-it-missed
There was a lot of conjecture in the piece. Based on that conjecture, this statement is interesting ...
"If the church did have $150 billion, a figure the church did not confirm during the “60 Minutes” interview, then the $6 billion it is said to spend annually on its mission would represent 4% in annual charitable spending, above what a retired IRS executive told “60 Minutes” would be necessary for a non-church 501c3 to maintain its nonprofit status."
I thought Bishop Waddell handled himself well. I'll tell you what though Green, why don't you open your personal books to the many posters here and we will happily tell you what to do with your money—we'll happily direct your financial life for you
"Be a philosopher. A man can compromise to gain a point. It has become apparent that a man can, within limits, follow his inclinations within the arms of the Church if he does so discreetly." - The Walking Drum
"And here’s what life comes down to—not how many years you live, but how many of those years are filled with bullshit that doesn’t amount to anything to satisfy the requirements of some dickhead you’ll never get the pleasure of punching in the face." – Adam CarollaComment
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Do you contribute to a charity, say Oxfam or UNICEF? Do you insist they tell you what exactly they are doing with your donation?Originally posted by Mormon Red Death View PostComment
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As a bishop, I had great experiences with LDS social services. I wish I had used them more.Originally posted by tooblue View Post"There is no creature more arrogant than a self-righteous libertarian on the web, am I right? Those folks are just intolerable."
"It's no secret that the great American pastime is no longer baseball. Now it's sanctimony." -- Guy Periwinkle, The Nix.
"Juilliardk N I ibuprofen Hyu I U unhurt u" - creeksterComment
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