Wednesday, August 27, 2008

The Lord needs some more cash....or anything else you might have.

The Lord needs your money! He'll take 10, 20, 50 or 100%. Just take a look here.

I found some interesting things on the FAQ:

Q.
If I don't have much cash, can I still participate?
A.
Yes. Many people in your circumstances make significant gifts with assets such as real estate, stocks, and bonds. You might consider some of these commonly used methods:
Outright Gifts of Securities and Real Estate. You might incur large tax liabilities by selling appreciated securities and real estate. However, you can reduce your tax liability and build the kingdom at the same time by giving the securities and real estate directly to a Church-sponsored institution or program.
Bargain Sale. A Church-sponsored institution will purchase the asset at a bargain price. The gift you give is the difference between the sale price and the fair market value of the property.
Remainder Interest Deed. This deed allows you to retain the use of your personal residence during your lifetime. At your death, the property is passed to the program you specify. This type of gift would provide you with an immediate income tax deduction.
Q.
What if I still need income to take care of my physical needs?
A.
Your situation is more common than you might suppose. There are many types of plans you can set up to meet your needs and still make contributions to Church-sponsored entities. A Charitable Gift Annuity allows you to transfer assets to the program or institution of your choice in exchange for a lifetime annuity. Annuity payments can begin now or in the future, at your request. A Pooled Income Fund allows several people of modest means to participate in a trust agreement by pooling their gifts. In this type of fund, each participant receives an income for his or her lifetime. When a contributor dies, his or her portion of the fund principal goes to a program specified by that individual. A Charitable Life Income Trust enables you to place an asset in trust, directing the income to yourself or a beneficiary for a specified term or for life. At the end of the trust term, any remaining assets and income go to the Church-sponsored program or institution of your choice.


I also noticed that they don't have any charts or graphs that point out where the money goes. Maybe to help people or maybe to help build their new billion dollar shopping mall. I don't know and neither does anyone else. Yet if you are going to hand over everything you have earned, shouldn't they tell you exactly where you money is going.

I've found this is a very touchy subject for Mormons because they can't even conceive that their leaders would not be totally honest with them about financial matters. What they don't understand (or want to understand)is that without a system of oversight humans will do naughty things with other people's money and it doesn't matter if they claim to piety and righteousness as their sole guide.

Every time I see stuff like this I'm reminded of the words of the late George Carlin:

Religion convinced the world that there's an invisible man in the sky who watches everything you do. And there's 10 things he doesn't want you to do or else you'll be sent to a burning place with a lake of fire until the end of eternity. But he loves you! ...And he needs money! He's all powerful, but he can't handle money!

Kolob mining stock anyone?