Do Mormons oppose government welfare because they know that they'll never need it?
I don't think it's a secret that most Mormons are conservative Republicans. Part of the reason is that members of the church are taught self-reliance and responsibility; therefore, we don't expect to have to rely on the government for assistance. This is an idea that is embraced by the Republican party (in theory), so it makes sense that Mormons would be Republicans.
Anyway, I was walking through Wal-mart and got to thinking - is the real reason that Mormons are so opposed to gov't welfare because we already have a built-in welfare system with the church and don't need the government to bail us out?
If you need food, money, clothing, etc - the church has got your back because of the Fast Offering program. With this program, members of a congregation skip two meals once a month and donate a "generous fast offering" (the cost of the two meals + whatever else you can afford to give) to the church. This money stays in the ward and is used to help the members in the local area. Extra money is sent to the church and then redistributed to wards as needed.
The fast offering money can be used for just about anything. When I was the Ward Clerk I wrote checks for doctor bills, utility bills, rent payments, etc. People can get vouchers for food and clothing. The family works with the local Bishop and Relief Society President to make sure that their needs are being met.
Here is what the church welfare program includes:
One principle of the LDS welfare program is that there are really no "free handouts." Those recieving the welfare volunteer at the canneries, on the farms, at the church, etc. This allows people to earn the assistance they are receiving in a way. I believe they are also expected to pay tithing to the church (10% of their income - if they have income).
I know that a system like this would never work through the federal government, so that's not what I'm suggesting. I'm just wondering if this system contributes to Mormons leaning to the right. It isn't that we are opposed to the socialistic principles that the government wants to impose; rather, we have no need for this because we are already doing it on our own. In some ways, we're paying double - once for the church welfare program and once for the government welfare program.
I don't think it's a secret that most Mormons are conservative Republicans. Part of the reason is that members of the church are taught self-reliance and responsibility; therefore, we don't expect to have to rely on the government for assistance. This is an idea that is embraced by the Republican party (in theory), so it makes sense that Mormons would be Republicans.
Anyway, I was walking through Wal-mart and got to thinking - is the real reason that Mormons are so opposed to gov't welfare because we already have a built-in welfare system with the church and don't need the government to bail us out?
If you need food, money, clothing, etc - the church has got your back because of the Fast Offering program. With this program, members of a congregation skip two meals once a month and donate a "generous fast offering" (the cost of the two meals + whatever else you can afford to give) to the church. This money stays in the ward and is used to help the members in the local area. Extra money is sent to the church and then redistributed to wards as needed.
The fast offering money can be used for just about anything. When I was the Ward Clerk I wrote checks for doctor bills, utility bills, rent payments, etc. People can get vouchers for food and clothing. The family works with the local Bishop and Relief Society President to make sure that their needs are being met.
Here is what the church welfare program includes:
- 80 church welfare farms, raches, and dairies (including the largest Beef Ranch in the world)
- 80 cannery facilities
- 137 bishop storehouses (where people can pick up free food and basic household item)
- 100 home storage centers
- 44 Deseret Industries Thrift Stores (kind of like a Goodwill)
- 285 Employment Centers
- 69 LDS Social Services offices
One principle of the LDS welfare program is that there are really no "free handouts." Those recieving the welfare volunteer at the canneries, on the farms, at the church, etc. This allows people to earn the assistance they are receiving in a way. I believe they are also expected to pay tithing to the church (10% of their income - if they have income).
I know that a system like this would never work through the federal government, so that's not what I'm suggesting. I'm just wondering if this system contributes to Mormons leaning to the right. It isn't that we are opposed to the socialistic principles that the government wants to impose; rather, we have no need for this because we are already doing it on our own. In some ways, we're paying double - once for the church welfare program and once for the government welfare program.
