i posted a question "was he right" three questions ago.
basicly it stated that a bishop in a mormon curch asked me to leave while i was there with my wife for her to be blessed on an upcoming surgery. i was asked to leave because of a pendant of a pentegram i wear as it is part of my religion. i am a pagan my wife is mormon.
now check this out.
i went and got my mail today and in there was a letter from the church saying that they had missed the tiethings that my wife normally gives. now they know that she does not work and that all money comes from me. (it was hand written by the bishop himself) what in the world are they thinking? now after kicking me out of their church they expect me to send them money.(it was addressed to both of us) what gives them the right to embarass me and then ask for money?!?!
my wife is currenly looking for a new church by the way.
2006-09-21 13:08:22 · 27 answers · asked by bgdadyp 5 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
ewema:
you need to see my previous question
"was he right" to understand my anger.
so please don't judge me before you have all the facts!
2006-09-22 08:14:51 · update #1
They missed her tithe? What a coincidence being that you missed their compassion. I might consider just that in response, a handwritten to the bishope in question, with his exact wording turned back on him. The mormon church is infamous for presenting itself as a family organization, while crushing families behind closed doors. And, as one other answerer noted, they have huge financial holdings.
2006-09-21 13:20:19 · answer #1 · answered by n_of49p 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I am sorry that happened to you and your wife. I pray your wife's surgery goes well and that the Dr.s involved are blessed with the skill of the Master craftman's hands, the wisdom of King Solomon and the gentleness of the Physician Timothy in Jesus' days,
I also pray the the Holy Spirit guide you and your wife in her search for a new church fellowship. That she would find a body of believers that truly walk with Jesus Christ alone and are not so concerned about money.
May you both be given a peace which surpasses all understanding as you wrestle with the hurt and anger that has come from this mistreatment by others, those who claim to be doing the work of Jesus Christ, when He would have never, ever turned His back on you in your time of great need. ~Selah
PS My pastor never passes an offering plate. He never talks about money. He has a little wooden box in the back of our non-denominational church and he says, "The day there isn't enough money in that box to pay for our ministries and our church expenses, is the day God is telling him that he isn't doing his job."
He always says, "Where God guides, God provides, there is never a reason to ask for money if someone is truly waiting on the Lord's provision."
2006-09-21 13:22:09 · answer #2 · answered by NONAME 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
You really thought you'd walk into a Mormon church wearing a pentagram and they'd be cool with that? I've known a lot of pagans, most intellectuals, some who would even be that provocative intentionally, but none naive enough that they wouldn't know in advance they would cause a problem entering a conservative religious organization wearing what is widely viewed as a symbol of Satan. Even one of the creepy Crowleys would have more restraint.
I understand you were embarrassed, and insult was added to injury with the tithing letter, which was probably a typical bureaucratic botch, but if you expected a Mormon bishop to be cool with you walking into his church wearing a pentagram you are stunningly unaware. You might as well walk into a synagogue wearing a swastika. That bishop has no clue that you're a pagan and not a Satanist and probably has no clue there's even a difference. You're free to exercise your religion, but use your freedom with a milligram of common sense and sensitivity.
2006-09-21 13:25:21 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
That's really weird...I have been Mormon my whole life and lived in lots of different wards and no bishop has EVER sent us anything requesting tithing. It is a personal choice, no one can make you do it. I am a little skeptical that he really sent you something like a "bill". That just doesn't make any sense.
I love the church and know it is true with all my heart. The religion is perfect, the people trying to live it are not.
Sorry, I hope things work out for you.
2006-09-22 10:29:57 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Usually a blessing is based on faith. Perhaps the priesthood holder giving the blessing knew that you did not have faith in his priesthood powers, and in some way even presented a negative tone to the blessing. Did he just ask you to step outside, or did he actually 'kick you out?" I think you are a little sensitive regarding your 'religion'.
I hear about all these terrible things that happen to members of the Church, and it is unfortunate that some leaders are so mis-guided. But the thing to remember is that the Mormon church, as with any other church, is just people. People trying to do the best they can in this life. Doesn't mean they are perfect, or that they will ever achieve perfection in this lifetime, but they should be striving towards it.
As for the tithing letter, those are routine. For those ignorant about commandments, all people are commanded to tithe (pay one tenth of their increase) to the Lord. Not just members of the Mormon church. So you don't have to pay to go to the LDS church or be a member, but they are helping you stay on the right track by reminding you of the tithing. I don't work, yet I consider the tithing I pay, with funds my husband earns, as tithing from both of us.
I think it is smart that the Church invests its money. It needs to maintain a profit, so it can provide compassionate service and supplies to areas and countries in need, as well as church buildings and temples throughout the world. Yes, the Church has always been among the first to send necessary supplies to areas of tragedy, both in the States and other countries, such as Louisiana, Thailand, India, and many other countries that have suffered natural disasters. It also has an education fund to help underprivileged returned missionaries with college. Seems to me that making money isn't always a bad idea, if it is done with the right intent.
I hope for your wife's sake she can find a religion to suit you. I personally think the least you can do would be to support her in her choice of worship, even if it isn't the same as yours (thank the Lord).
2006-09-21 21:07:40 · answer #5 · answered by ewema 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Write the bishop a letter explaining how you were treated on your last visit and why you have no intention of giving his church your financial support.
And carbon copy his superior, the local newspaper, and a local television station.
It's not about revenge, but this might actually educate some people about your faith and showing common courtesy to visitors.
2006-09-21 13:20:26 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
I was born Catholic, but after my father died my mother refused to allow me to stay in the church, so to tick her off I became a Mormon, it was the biggest mistake of my life, I try my best to NEVER judge another religion, but Mormons are my one exception! The higher ups are self-serving, self-righteous and flat out liars! I was raped a few weeks before I turned 16 and went to my bishop for help when I discovered I was pregnant, his "advise" was for me to stay away from church until I had and gave my baby away, in order to hide MY shame from other innocent female members! MY SHAME?????? I was raped! I left them right there and then, went back to the Catholic faith and I kept my baby who is now 27 years old and a doctor in Chicago. Your wife getting out of that CULT is the best thing for you both! (My husband is 3/4 Cherokee and in the eyes of Mormons he too is damned!) Don't give them a cent, it only goes to the higher ups anyway!
2006-09-21 13:26:08 · answer #7 · answered by Daydream Believer 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
It's up to you wether or not you want to give to a church. That's pretty rude though. Churches shouldn't tell people to give. Good for her that she is no longer going there. I would leave too in that situation. I'm actually surpised she is allowed in the church considering she didn't marry a Mormon.
2006-09-21 13:12:55 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 0⤋
Wow, that's terrible. Maybe you and your wife can both find a decent church together...just a thought. Good luck on your wife's church search, just the same. I'm sorry you had to deal with that nonsense and greed.
2006-09-21 13:16:40 · answer #9 · answered by JohnC 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋
That is ridiculous.
Unfortunately yes, I can believe it. It's a shame more people can't recognise that all religions have some truth in them whether they be pagan or Christian. I'm part of a Christian church that is often condemned as heresy by those who simply do not understand the meaning of loving God or one's neighbor.
2006-09-21 13:13:59 · answer #10 · answered by Lavender 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋