Religion
Related: About this forumMormon's using library computers for church BUSINESS.
The sign says, "All are welcome here." Nevertheless, I will point out that it is unconscionable for Mormon missionaries to use the limited resource, library internet computers, for church BUSINESS.
Do we see hordes of Exxon employees using library computers to access Google maps to look for oil? Do McDonald's employees use library computers to "clock-in" so they can go to work at the nearby McDs? No! These BUSINESSES, purchase their own computers because computers are part of the cost of doing business.
So if Mormon "missionaries" must use computers to recruit people to tithe 10% of their income to the church, why don't they realize that they should purchase their own computers as a part of doing BUSINESS. They WILL be making profits off of this recruitment effort. Mormons are the only organization that widely uses library internet computers in their profit-making business. It's not as if Mormons are poor. What do you do with your money, Mormons? Shouldn't you use it to support your missionary work? Buy your missionaries computers (or smart phones) if they are needed for church business. DO IT!
It's the Cain syndrome. Recall the Cain and Abel story in which Abel gives his best animal to God while Cain gives a sickly animal to God. The Mormon church never gives all they have in this missionary work. They have the resources to buy computers but they won't. In fact, Lawrence O'Donnell pointed out that they used their missionary "work" as a way to get out of military service to America (in Vietnam). While the Mormons only "work" for two years, for all other religions, a person MUST work their entire lives to be eligible for this exemption.
Additionally, the church does not pay taxes, and people who give to the church get to take this gift off on their income taxes. So while we pay our fair share, the Mormons pay less. Oh, and they, wink, wink, get deeply involved in elections. Amendment "hate" in California denies gay Americans the right to marry. So a gay person will not get the benefits of the mortgage deduction on their taxes because they can't easily become a married couple to afford a mortgage and thus reduce their tax burden. The Mormons get special rights while denying rights to others. How disgusting is this?! All religions deeply disappoint me and the Mormons doubly so. Be warned, Mormons, the sins of your "religion" have piled up all the way to heaven. God sees what you are doing.
muriel_volestrangler
(101,322 posts)Cain doesn't have any animals to offer to God - he grow crops. Nothing is said about the quality of his offerings, but God turns his nose up at them, and God tells him "just face it, I like your brother better - accept your place in life". At which Cain murders Abel.
From which we can deduce:
Israelite priests liked their meat;
They wanted the lower classes to know their place.
skepticscott
(13,029 posts)that Abel's offering was the choicer one... "firstlings of his flock and fatty portions"
kestrel91316
(51,666 posts)their missionaries. They are not EMPLOYEES of the church - all their expenses are paid for by their families, not the church. And they are severely restricted in what property they can have during their mission. It's very austere, and because of the many temptations of the internet, they don't have computers at home while on their mission (and there is no "workplace" . I have no problem with them using library computers.
Jayce Cox
(34 posts)When I was a missionary we did not have the internet, so door to door it was. Now when I go to my small town library, I see the missionaries using the public computers. I always give them a hard time, letting them know that they are welcome to come to my family's home to use our computer or the the Family History Center at our local Chapel and use those computers. I think that this makes us (members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints) look bad, tacky at the very least. Lawrence O'Donnell didn't get it quite right about avoiding the draft, each congregation was given one or two Missionary exemptions, but my father was not one of the lucky one's. Thousands of Mormons have served in the armed services, my father, unlce and brother being among them. You are certainly entitled to your opinions on the validity of my faith, and it's tax advantages or disadvantages. All donations to any church or 501C3 Charity are tax deductible.
So to be clear the missionaries would be better served to use computers that are church owned, and not the one's my kids like to use when I drag them to the library while I am looking for a good book.
PS
There are thousands of Mormons who support President Obama and are die hard FDR/Harry Reid Democrats. I come from a long line, that includes my Grandparents, Aunts, Uncles, Parents, Cousins, and Siblings. And in our little mormon family that adds up to about 200 votes.
Respectfully
Jayce Cox
Helena Montana
Op-Ed piece http://www.deseretnews.com/article/765592705/It-is-OK-to-disagree-not-dehumanize.html
RevStPatrick
(2,208 posts)Seriously. This sounds like crazy talk. Free-form anger for anger's sake.
I've seen young Mormon missionaries in my local library many times, using the computers.
They don't live here, I do, my taxes pay for that library, and I have absolutely no problem with these kids using the computers that I pay for. That's how society works, like it or not. I don't mind paying it forward.
I've talked to few of these young Elders over the years.
I make it clear at the beginning that they are never going to convert me, so don't even try.
And then each time, we went on to have a nice chat.
I find their religion to be utterly creepy, I don't like the politics that their church engages in, I think some of the social issues they focus on are nutty, and any 20 year-old kid who doesn't drink a beer once in a while and walks around in a white shirt and tie in the summertime is weird in my book.
But they tend to be nice, polite and clean cut. It's not my cup of tea, but I don't have a problem with them using "my" computers.
RandyAZ
(1 post)Mormon missionaries don't collect or even count tithing money. The local church building has computers for that, and all other church business. Most likely, the missionaries you saw were sending their weekly email home to their families.
cbayer
(146,218 posts)Wow.
whatevz
(1 post)When I was on my mission, the only thing I was allowed to use a computer for was to send email to my mom. Is it not okay to use a computer in the library to send an email to one's mother?