Had tithing settlement today - my kids were threatened with being burned
jonesb Dec. 2104
First off I realize that I'm dumb for still paying. That's not the point here. I'm working on it but it's complicated with a believing wife.
The bishop told my kids that if they don't pay tithing they would burn at the second coming.
Then he said some crap about how the earth was baptized in the flood and would be burned at the second coming. Tithing is "fire insurance." I had to pipe up that it could be metaphorical. I didn't want to get in an argument about the historical accuracy of a literal flood. But I didn't want my kids thinking they need to pay tithing for fear of being burned.
What an idiot.
gentlestrength
Re: Had tithing settlement today - my kids were threatened with being burned
I remember being taught that. Wish I would have had a "non-believing" dad that would have put an end to that.
At least mine was a TBM for whatever reason.
byuboner
Re: Had tithing settlement today - my kids were threatened with being burned
The bishop is a shi*head who doesn't even know Christian doctrine. St. Paul says to set aside some money and give with a grateful heart. Legalisms are done away with.
My two cents, the benevolent Boner.
Brethren,adieu
Re: Had tithing settlement today - my kids were threatened with being burned
"So Bishop, who's going to come and burn my house down if I don't pay, you or the stake president?"
mannaz
Re: Had tithing settlement today - my kids were threatened with being burned
Damn them heretics ... I mean those church leaders "who mingle the teachings of man with scripture" (pre 1990 endowment, now my favorite part of the ceremony and they took it out ... oh no, do I need to disembowel myself? Or is it slit my throat?)
(btw, pls excuse if slight wording error in quote above)
summer
Re: Had tithing settlement today - my kids were threatened with being burned
I would have replied, "I don't believe that."
Cheryl
Yikes! What an awful thing to say to children!
"What?? Sir, that's a nasty threat for children. I'd hate to have to go home and contradict you to my kids, but they need to learn that some grownups don't understand the difference metaphorical references and fanciful scare tactics."
jerry64
Re: Had tithing settlement today - my kids were threatened with being burned
that is just awful, for you and for your kids
want2bx
Re: Had tithing settlement today - my kids were threatened with being burned
Yes, what an idiot. Instilling fear is the best way to guarantee obedience. There's nothing like tithing settlement to take all the fun and excitement out of Christmastime.
Classical Musician
Re: Had tithing settlement today - my kids were threatened with being burned
I wish you had recorded the bishop's comments so they could be uploaded onto YouTube. I'm a big fan of recording these kinds of conversations.
saucie
Re: Had tithing settlement today - my kids were threatened with being burned
What a shame that you feel you have to subject your children to that kind of abuse from the bishop, while giving him your money.
rationalist01
Re: Had tithing settlement today - my kids were threatened with being burned
Its the old Christian gangster ploy. "Nice soul ya got there, buddy. It'd be too bad if something happened to it. WAnna buy some protection?"
thedesertrat1
Re: Had tithing settlement today - my kids were threatened with being burned
I think that I would have jumped right down the bishop's throat over that one. My response would probably something like:
"How dare you threaten by child with burning if he does not pay extortion to the Mormon Church!".
Quarentined Judas
Re: Had tithing settlement today - my kids were threatened with being burned
I'm so sorry this happened to your kids. As a kid, my dad did not pay tithing, but was otherwise an involved member of our ward. So my teachers didn't realize he wasn't paying. I got several lessons about how anyone not paying tithing would literally be burned to death at the second coming. I spent my entire childhood and youth feeling desperate fear of what my beloved father would have to endure.
Lethbridge Reprobate
Re: Had tithing settlement today - my kids were threatened with being burned
Anyone threatening my children like that would need an ambulance. So glad I never raised my kids in the cult.
RB
Canned Peaches
Re: Had tithing settlement today - my kids were threatened with being burned
I skipped tithing settlement today. TBM wife and daughter went but other kids stayed home with me. My bish, who is also my HT, came to visit and asked me in front of my wife, kids, and his wife if I Had paid a full tithe. It was liberating to say NO. This was kinda an unplanned coming out party to my kids. They don't seem to care though I wonder what they are thinking.
heberjgrunt
Re: Had tithing settlement today - my kids were threatened with being burned
Another thing I don't miss this time of year. Tithing settlement. Life is so much better outside of the asylum.
donbagley
Re: Had tithing settlement today - my kids were threatened with being burned
Why ever associate with a scalawag who threatens your children with immolation? If that man's nose isn't broken, it's not for lack of want.
cludgie
Re: Had tithing settlement today - my kids were threatened with being burned
You seem to have allowed it to happen.
Raging
Re: Had tithing settlement today - my kids were threatened with being burned
Wow Canned. I'm glad that it felt good to tell that bishop no, but I would have been beyond raging if he had asked me like that. I think you may have to have a little visit with him about not pulling this kind of stunt in the future. Why does the silly jackass think you did not come in the first place? I would have told him I was not talking to him about that and to get the hell outta my house. Then again, I think it's great that you just said no, because you have nothing to be ashamed of in not paying tithing.
Seriously, do TBMs lose their effing minds when in leadership positions? Most I know seem to take social cues and hints just fine unless it's about church. They act like they suddenly don't know what it means when someone never answers their calls, emails, or door. Come to think of it, they act like they don't know what to do when someone says, "Leave me the hell alone!"
jonesb
Re: Had tithing settlement today - my kids were threatened with being burned
Yes, I did allow it to happen. Good observation. There are more dynamics at play than simply busting his chops.
peculiargifts
Re: Had tithing settlement today - my kids were threatened with being burned
I know that sometimes you can find yourself in a situation where you don't feel free to speak or act freely. It is miserable to be there.
I hope that you can find a way to talk with your children about the issue in some better place. I suspect that you do know that the kids deserve to know that the whole concept is extortionist nonsense. And they need guidance to lose the fear that TSCC uses to control its members. Good luck! Is there any chance that you can use this awful experience as an example to your wife of why the kids need to be allowed to grow up free of Mormon nastiness?
This is why I hate the lovely, sweet, warm, happy public relations campaigns that TSCC pumps out. If the faith were really that nice, it'd be fine with me. But that fact that they are being total hypocrites is infuriating. They rule with dishonesty and fear. And then present themselves as such lovely folks.
"Recovery from Mormonism - www.exmormon.org"