reply to post by Yissachar1
I hear you on that one and I was raised Mormon (never really felt comfortable around "snobby religous people"). My Father was a Deacon in the
priesthood and back then loyalty to the church meant everything.
I still remember having to go into a small meeting room with my parents where they would have to discuss how much in tithes they would have to pay. It
seemed almost like a very important tax meeting with the IRS but in a more respectful God kind of way I guess.
My Father worked two jobs, one as a high school teacher and one as a bookstore salesman. My mother worked full time for the local bank and also for
the womens 'Relief Society" at the church. Three full time jobs to support a family of 5, while paying taxes and 10% tithes.
The only thing I remember after all those years of "Tithings" is how the Morman church threw my family to the curb when my parents divorced. In the
church there is certain shame on any family that breaks up. This was the late 70's, early 80's.
So after years of paying tithes, living in a strict religous home, and going to church three times a week - we ended up a lost family, with no
religion and almost no stability.
Oh, and I never even heard one word about Polygamy in the church until 10 or so years after we stopped attending. Funny how that subject is lost in a
church founded by Joseph Smith - a well known Polygamist. It is their dirty little secret. Trust me - it isn't the coversation in Sunday school
class.
How do you keep a church going based on the faith and teachings of a Polygamy founder - by cutting out those teachings that are based on that
lifestyle. For such an "above everyone else" self absorbed church - that has always bothered me - like they are tithed while living a lie.
But, thats just me. I can still have contact with my God, my God loves me, and my God lets me keep my 10% to provide what my family needs.
[edit on 1-3-2010 by arizonascott]