I point out in another comment that, charitably, congregations receive about 8% of donations back to fund local congregations, often several multiples less. Some congregations I saw send about $25k/week on average for ~200 congregants, and have an $8k budget (about twice that if you account for mainteance, about about $20k when taking charitable giving of food and bill payment into account). What was most disappointing was the training of how to get people with long term needs off of the congregation's dime.
I think the Mormon church would do well to adopt a less centralized form of governance, treasury, and cash management.
It's a shame they are expected to express belief in
racist, sexist, or other bigoted beliefs in order to be
fully acceptable to their in-group.
Racism
- https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2017/09/mormons...
- https://slate.com/human-interest/2018/05/fake-apology-for-mo...
- https://www.sltrib.com/news/2017/06/09/39-years-later-priest...
Sexism
- https://www.livescience.com/46867-mormon-church-gender-roles...
- https://www.sltrib.com/religion/2018/02/22/where-mormon-chur...
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mormonism_and_women
Other bigotry
-https://rewire.news/article/2019/04/25/lgbtq-mormons-are-sti...
and about:
families: http://lukecall.net/e-9223372036854587315.html
service to all others: http://lukecall.net/e-9223372036854587314.html
And generally: http://lukecall.net/e-9223372036854587122.html
I have genuine hope for Mormons, that they can repatriate for their historical blunders and be the great, solid people they aspire to be. They really do tend to be great people, just a little to at-the-ready to do what their hierarchical leadership deigns -- and to me that sacrifice of moral compass was my fundamental wedge issue. Self-introspection is a difficult principle to learn regardless of one's background.
Thinking about the US education specifically...imagine if we handled finances that way? Schools are largely paid for by local property taxes, so the rich areas get well funded schools, and the poor areas get poorly funded schools. If it was centralized and balanced, the rich schools might not get as many 3d printers, but perhaps the poor schools could get books. It might not be fair in the sense that those that pay more should get more, but it would be fair if your end goal is balance and charity.
The church has welfare programs to help members and non-members that are need. I've personally recommended such food and rent assistance from the church at a point in my life. I've even had the church cover expenses for mental health counseling.
I've also personally witnessed and helped to deliver food and provide service to those in need. Sometimes people in need receive in aid more than they tithe.
There's also a huge social network of people helping each other out not directly related to church funds.
There is also the Helping Hands program that provides labor and food and other support when there are natural disasters all over the world, including some big ones here in the US.
This is not a situation that's all take and no give. Not only does the church provide a lot of welfare support, but actively encourages members to be Christ-like and serve everyone in need.