Religion and Money Part #2

There is a story told in the New Testament of the bible...


13 And the Jews’ passover was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem,
14 And found in the temple those that sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the changers of money sitting:
15 And when he had made a scourge of small cords, he drove them all out of the temple, and the sheep, and the oxen; and poured out the changers’ money, and overthrew the tables;
16 And said unto them that sold doves, Take these things hence; make not my Father’s house an house of merchandise.
St John 2:13-16

While I cannot speak authoritatively for other Christian Organizations, in the LDS Church, this story is used in 2 different ways...

1 - To teach reverence. The idea that a temple, or a religious building is a sacred place and should be treated with respect.

2 - To teach righteous anger. The Christian myth contains in it the notion that Christ was a perfect being. Being perfect, something like losing one's temper would not happen.

While the words don't specifically say this, the interpretation of the story contains the imagery of Christ angrily driving the money changes from the temple. I've heard this justified in 2 ways... Either he had the presence of mind to sit down and make a whip, so he wasn't losing his temper as much as doing what needed to be done to cleanse the temple of the merchandisers, or he executed righteous anger - anger for a righteous purpose.

Last time I heard the story, it was the righteous anger take, and the lesson then continued with a discussion on how men (it was a men's class) can show righteous anger to their wives and kids. Lesson learned... God is OK with me yelling at my wife and kids, and perhaps even beating them, as long as I do it righteously. Bear in mind, I'm getting the 'inspiration' for this from the same God who authorizes mass murder in his name.

There is an aspect of the story however, which I believe is missed, and one which likely more important than all the others...

Who did Christ drive from the temple? It was the money changers and the merchandisers. Basically, money changers were there, in order for people to change money, since only specific coinage was to be used in temple ceremony. Basically they were just foreign exchange tellers. The merchandisers were there to sell doves, lambs and other sacrificial animals.

Under the law of Moses, sacrificial animals were required to worship in the temple, and it would seem from the research I have done into this, that the sale of animals, as well as the exchange of currency was necessary for temple worship. The problem would seem to be that these men were turning this required service into a business opportunity, in order to turn a profit, and it would appear that was the reason Christ was upset with them...

In my previous post on this topic, I covered the obscenely good benefits to be had, from a rise to power within the LDS Church. I'll be honest, the more I read, the more I thought it could be a nice way to go - although it would require me to trade my integrity for it, and... well, power and money just aren't worth that.

As I've thought about this post, my thoughts went back to an episode of Extreme Home Makeover which I saw a year or 2 ago. The renovation was done for a small town pastor, and as a side project, they renovated his Church as well. He was picked for the show, because of his incredibly meager existence, and the great work he did with the poor. His family was struggling because of all the work they did, and so the goal was to create a sanctuary for them where they could revitalize themselves as a family, as well as assist them in continuing to provide the services to the community.

Now I am fully aware that directors and producers of shows, particularly reality shows will only take certain shots, in order to promote their view of how the world should view the story they're telling. Even with that in mind, what really struck me, was the look on the pastor's face as he was introduced to his new home. He did look grateful, but at the same time, I saw a distinct feeling of shame and embarrassment, as the amount of money which had been spent on his home. That look did change though, as they entered a building between the home and the Church. One project had been to build a large industrial kitchen, from which to serve meals to the homeless. Not only had the kitchen been built, but the huge pantry had been stocked with food for months to come. I don't cry, but I teared up at this, and specifically the look of gratitude on the pastors face.

I don't know what happened after the show, but I suspect, much of the excess in the man's home has been given away or sold to continue to provide for the homeless in his town. I wouldn't be surprised either, if his home has again become a refuge for those down on their luck, to be enfolded in love from both him and his family.

This pastor was a man who got it. He actually followed the example of Christ, and gave of everything to help his fellow men find a better way.

On the other side of the coin, however, we have the LDS Church, and while I am not familiar with other denominations, I suspect many of the function in a similar way.

From the old testament, we have the teaching of tithing. The donation of 10% of ones income to support the work of God - or his supposed work.

When the LDS Church was set up in the 1800's this principle was taught, and many members participated in it, but it was never a required practice.

If I may add at this point, that I am a HUGE believer in charitable giving. I believe it benefits both the giver and the recipient. For the giver, it helps them to realize that our existence is not all about the accumulation of wealth. So please don't assume that I am against charitable giving!

Lorenzo Snow was the 5th President of the LDS Church and was put in this position in 1898. The organization he inherited was in severe financial difficulty. In May of 1899, he began a strong campaign of encouraging the membership to pay tithing. Members began to pay, and the Church was able to emerge from financial trouble.

At some point between then and now, the payment of tithing became a requirement for members to pay, in order to attend LDS Temple services. Prior to that it had been highly recommended, but not required.

In addition, the original commandments refer to tithing as being a tenth of your increase or interest, and there is also a reference in early LDS history to the need to pay 10 percent of your surplus. In recent times though, this has been interpreted by the brethren as meaning income. So at this point in time, members are required to pay 10% of the annual income to the LDS Church, in order to receive the full benefits of membership, which includes being able to attend the LDS Temple.

But what is tithing used for? It's supposed to be for God's work...

Whithin the United States, the LDS Church has no legal obligation to share it's financial records, and it chooses not to, unless of course it can use it to promote the work of the Lord.

In 2006, the PR department of the released a statement that since 1984, the LDS Church had donated more than $750 million to charitable causes.

I don't want to diminish that donation by any means, but here's the thing...

Most, if not all of that money likely came from Fast Offerings, which is a completely separate donation which LDS members make.

While financial statements are not available, it is estimated that the LDS Church takes in approximately $6 billion dollars per year in donations. Conservative estimates put the worth of the Church in the range of $100 billion dollars. It is per capita the most wealthy religious organization in the world. Must be because it is God's one true Church!

You can find more information about this here including a rather interesting look at 'Tsunami' donations from the UK, where reporting is required, and where it would appear none of the Tsunami money raised ever left the United Kingdom.

I'll leave you with this final thought. In 2003, then President, Gordon B. Hinckly announced plans to spend Church funds investing in the area surrounding Temple Square in Salt Lake city. At the time the project was expected to cost approximately $500 million dollars. Since that time however, the cost of the project has risen to $2 billion dollars. The rational was to protect the environment around the temple. One of the benefits of the renovation of the malls around the Church campus, is the addition of luxury condo's. You can buy (although it may be too late) a condo with a view of the temple for the meager sum of $1 million dollars.

Going back to the biblical account of Christ casting the money changers and merchandisers out of the temple... What difference can you see between those who changed money and sold animals for sacrifices, and the charlatans who masquerade as God's representatives in downtown Salt Lake City today?

Well, for one thing, the profit margins are significantly better that they were back in the days of Christ, and for another... If any deity has the audacity to try and drive them from Temple Square with a whip, I'm pretty sure Church Security will have him taken down to the ground and arrested for trespassing.