Nelson in Africa
Re: Nelson in Africa
I wonder if there are occurrences of female genital mutilation among the saints in Africa. I assume that there aren't any as RMN would probably want to put a halt to that post haste.
"It is not so much the pain and suffering of life which crushes the individual as it is its meaninglessness and hopelessness." C. A. Elwood
“It is not the function of religion to answer all the questions about God’s moral government of the universe, but to give one courage, through faith, to go on in the face of questions he never finds the answer to in his present status.” TPC: Harold B. Lee 223
"I struggle now with establishing my faith that God may always be there, but may not always need to intervene" Heber13
“It is not the function of religion to answer all the questions about God’s moral government of the universe, but to give one courage, through faith, to go on in the face of questions he never finds the answer to in his present status.” TPC: Harold B. Lee 223
"I struggle now with establishing my faith that God may always be there, but may not always need to intervene" Heber13
Re: Nelson in Africa
It tends to be non-Christians, notably Muslims who do that and since most LDS converts come from Christian backgrounds...
DASH1730 "An Area Authority...[was] asked...who...would go to the Telestial kingdom. His answer: "murderers, adulterers and a lot of surprised Mormons!"'
1ST PRES 1978 "[LDS] believe...there is truth in many religions and philosophies...good and great religious leaders... have raised the spiritual, moral, and ethical awareness of their people. When we speak of The [LDS] as the only true church...it is...authorized to administer the ordinances...by Jesus Christ... we do not mean... it is the only teacher of truth."
1ST PRES 1978 "[LDS] believe...there is truth in many religions and philosophies...good and great religious leaders... have raised the spiritual, moral, and ethical awareness of their people. When we speak of The [LDS] as the only true church...it is...authorized to administer the ordinances...by Jesus Christ... we do not mean... it is the only teacher of truth."
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Re: Nelson in Africa
Interesting thought. I would hope they'd address that, too.
It's more common amongst Muslims but Christians in some countries practice it. In 2013, Ethiopia had a 75% female genital mutilation rate with 63% of the country Christian. Eritrea was at 89% and is a majority Christian country.SamBee wrote:It tends to be non-Christians, notably Muslims who do that and since most LDS converts come from Christian backgrounds...
Re: Nelson in Africa
I've just looked up the stats for Eritrea and some sources put Islam at 40%, and there is a figure around 30% for Ethiopia.
Either way it's the parts of Africa nearest the Arabian peninsula who seem keenest on it (no pun intended).
Either way it's the parts of Africa nearest the Arabian peninsula who seem keenest on it (no pun intended).
DASH1730 "An Area Authority...[was] asked...who...would go to the Telestial kingdom. His answer: "murderers, adulterers and a lot of surprised Mormons!"'
1ST PRES 1978 "[LDS] believe...there is truth in many religions and philosophies...good and great religious leaders... have raised the spiritual, moral, and ethical awareness of their people. When we speak of The [LDS] as the only true church...it is...authorized to administer the ordinances...by Jesus Christ... we do not mean... it is the only teacher of truth."
1ST PRES 1978 "[LDS] believe...there is truth in many religions and philosophies...good and great religious leaders... have raised the spiritual, moral, and ethical awareness of their people. When we speak of The [LDS] as the only true church...it is...authorized to administer the ordinances...by Jesus Christ... we do not mean... it is the only teacher of truth."
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Re: Nelson in Africa
What I don't understand about this claim about the supposed relationship between tithing and breaking out of "cycles of poverty, generation after generation" is that it's not like Nelson is talking about something like the afterlife where they can easily get away with imagining whatever fantasy scenario they want to and then if their promises and threats are never delivered no one will know the difference for sure either way. He is basically making extremely bold (and reckless in my opinion) claims about real life here when people can easily look at the actual results of paying or not paying tithing after the fact. So what happens if Church members faithfully pay tithing and then can't afford to pay for their mortgage/rent or even food for their families in the worst cases?nibbler wrote: ↑17 Apr 2018, 06:59I can see how the principle of tithing can help people learn to do more with less and learn the differences between wants and needs but if you're already poor I'd imagine that life is constantly teaching you those lessons."We preach tithing to the poor people of the world because the poor people of the world have had cycles of poverty, generation after generation," he said. "That same poverty continues from one generation to another, until people pay their tithing."
It's almost like Nelson has never even considered this as a possibility in the first place. And of course, there's a good chance that top Church leaders will never hear about any real-life cases like this but instead mostly hear faith-promoting anecdotes that lead to confirmation bias. So it's easy for them to make claims like this when they are not the ones that will have to live with or even acknowledge the results in any cases where this type of prosperity gospel theory fails miserably just like they don't have to live with the results when young LDS adults rush into marriage ASAP and start having children right away as if it is their sacred duty only to end up divorced or at the very least suffering through a lot of pointless and unnecessary stress early in their marriages.
It looks like many of these top Church leaders have lived rather privileged and sheltered lives. Nelson didn't even serve a mission. I doubt he has a very good idea what life is really like for average people in some of these countries in Latin America, Africa, the Philippines, etc. But even living in the United States, all you have to do is look at all the people both in and out of the Church that are doing just fine or actually very well financially that have not been paying tithing to clearly see that the "cycle of poverty" absolutely does not continue until people pay tithing in real life. It's almost like standing up and telling people 2+2=5 with a straight face and expecting them to believe it; but it wouldn't surprise me if Nelson actually does believe it himself because I'm not sure he has really thought this one through and carefully considered the implications of what he is saying in this case.
"Truth is what works." - William James
Re: Nelson in Africa
They'll probably give them support through fast offerings, which will both increase their loyalty to the Church and feel indebted to it.DevilsAdvocate wrote: ↑21 Apr 2018, 08:42 So what happens if Church members faithfully pay tithing and then can't afford to pay for their mortgage/rent or even food for their families in the worst cases?
"The whole world is a comedy to those that think, a tragedy to those that feel." - Horace Walpole
"Even though there are no ways of knowing for sure, there are ways of knowing for pretty sure."
-Lemony Snicket
"Even though there are no ways of knowing for sure, there are ways of knowing for pretty sure."
-Lemony Snicket
Re: Nelson in Africa
Or stop paying tithing and feel guilty, or stop paying tithing and quietly disbelieve, or go inactive. Almost every outcome allows for strengthened testimonies via confirmation bias. The only one that doesn't is they stop paying tithing, stay active, and loudly disbelieve. I don't think I've ever seen anything like this. The social costs are too high.dande48 wrote: ↑21 Apr 2018, 13:38They'll probably give them support through fast offerings, which will both increase their loyalty to the Church and feel indebted to it.DevilsAdvocate wrote: ↑21 Apr 2018, 08:42 So what happens if Church members faithfully pay tithing and then can't afford to pay for their mortgage/rent or even food for their families in the worst cases?
Imagine what would happen if everyone who bought essential oils wasn't allowed to say when they didn't work.
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Re: Nelson in Africa
Every time I read the thread title:
I kept a diary right after I was born. Day 1: Tired from the move. Day 2: Everyone thinks I'm an idiot.
— Steven Wright
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Re: Nelson in Africa
Maybe if they are lucky; it depends on the bishop (leadership roulette). There are plenty of horror stories online of Church members that were denied any assistance when they really needed it after they had been paying tithing for years leading up to that point. In any case, my impression is that the leaders typically view Church welfare as a temporary safety net for cases such as if someone is laid off until they can find a new job, not a permanent solution. But for many people, especially in some of these countries where the Church is growing the fastest poverty is a permanent condition even with their normal employment.dande48 wrote: ↑21 Apr 2018, 13:38They'll probably give them support through fast offerings, which will both increase their loyalty to the Church and feel indebted to it.DevilsAdvocate wrote: ↑21 Apr 2018, 08:42 So what happens if Church members faithfully pay tithing and then can't afford to pay for their mortgage/rent or even food for their families in the worst cases?
I don't think Church welfare is a very good answer for that. So what is the long-term answer from leaders like Nelson? Magic, as far as I can tell; basically they are counting on God blessing the poorest members so that they can afford to pay tithing consistently. But I think the more likely scenario is that members will either accumulate large debts, move in with their parents or other family members, etc. or else they will not remain faithful very long if 90% of their net or gross income is simply not enough to cover their basic living expenses .
"Truth is what works." - William James
Re: Nelson in Africa
As someone as privileged as myself, I feel somewhat uncomfortable discussing the situation of the poor in Africa.
Suffice it to say, that in my observation the poor tend to be more religious. My theory is that life is more difficult and precarious for the poor. Therefore they need religion more than their wealthier counterparts in order to inject meaning and stability into their lives.
P.S. Thank you Nibbler. I had a hard laugh upon seeing that picture. The monocle is perfect!
Suffice it to say, that in my observation the poor tend to be more religious. My theory is that life is more difficult and precarious for the poor. Therefore they need religion more than their wealthier counterparts in order to inject meaning and stability into their lives.
P.S. Thank you Nibbler. I had a hard laugh upon seeing that picture. The monocle is perfect!
"It is not so much the pain and suffering of life which crushes the individual as it is its meaninglessness and hopelessness." C. A. Elwood
“It is not the function of religion to answer all the questions about God’s moral government of the universe, but to give one courage, through faith, to go on in the face of questions he never finds the answer to in his present status.” TPC: Harold B. Lee 223
"I struggle now with establishing my faith that God may always be there, but may not always need to intervene" Heber13
“It is not the function of religion to answer all the questions about God’s moral government of the universe, but to give one courage, through faith, to go on in the face of questions he never finds the answer to in his present status.” TPC: Harold B. Lee 223
"I struggle now with establishing my faith that God may always be there, but may not always need to intervene" Heber13