NOM

So there you have it.
Had a joyous dinner with a friend who is a member of the Bishopric.
A carefully critical man who knows all about the history and cultural issues.
A NOM in other words.

So after dinner I asked him why I have been sidelined and He opened up:

We called you but Stakepresidency block it because you pay tithing that can not be traced.
I pay in unmarked envelopes to SLC.

So He continued: as long as you pay a traceable Tithe you can be called.
Screw the neighbor financially, no problem as long as you don't get ratted out and no one complains to the bishop/SP
Visit a bar and get smashingly drunk, when you cover your tracks no problem.
Fuck that cute little intern senseless every other day, no problem if she keeps quiet during and after the act.

But paying an untracable tithing is a problem.
What about going good unseen???

Yes he was and is indignant about this, and so am I.

Worthiness is only measured in purchased souls it seems.

While the implied disrespect is quite insulting, I can't ignore the observation that you dodged a bullet in all this. I suppose if you want to be called into stake leadership you could switch to normal tithing payments and take up surreptitious commandment breaking like coffee and alcohol use. I'm in your position in my ward and stake but I certainly don't want to get on the leadership track. But this should be embarrassing to leadership that tithing status and virtually nothing else makes you ineligible for further callings.

When I tell them I keep the WOW, they take me on my word
When I tell them I keep the Chastity-laws, they take me on my word
When they ask me if I refrain from porn, they take me on my word
When the ask me if I pay tithing, they don´t

What really matters then, morality, or money??

We all know that money is the most important. But it is frustrating when it gets confirmed over and over again.

For some of us who do not pay a penny of tithing anymore, it is easier to objective about it.

We see two distinct groups evolving in the church; those who were born into the faith and converted whilst very young and impressionable, by those who they trust, that the church is true, infallible, and so forth. This is fine until the child is able to reason. Some choose to stay, place blinders on, and they are okay to "pay at that window" because they know that if they don't- "No temple for you!" (sigh). No mission. No marraige. No eternal salvation. They hold the temple carrot as the way "in". Otherwise- you are "out". Outcome for the church= $$$$$$$. Return on investment?

The other group- the poor, uneducated, desparate to make a living, anything is better than the life I have- let me in please. Missionaries baptize them, now they are in- they think. Now, of the $200 you make each month, you must pay $20 to the "Lord". It is okay if you can't feed your family- the Lord will provide. They say they cannot pay. They stop paying tithing. Outcome for the church? No money, but another convert so the church can have a chance to break the 16 million mark, or whatever it is up to.

Too simplified you say? Perhaps. This is my opinion, and I may be off the mark, but I don't think I am. The rich get richer and the poor stay poor, and the wheels on the bus still keep going "Round and round."