Hypothetical discussion.
You are a clergy member (or equivalent) in charge of a congregation or other organized group of people who share the same religious and/or philosophical beliefs.
Your current congregation is meeting in a building that is inadequate for your needs; it was good once upon a time, but is no longer a good long-term option.
Getting a new building to use will, of course, require a fair amount of money. Problem is, you don't have it on you right now, and (in part because of this) you're not considered a good enough credit risk for any local financial institution to loan you the money.
Word reaches you that there is a local businessman who often provides financial support for such "lost causes" as you happen to be right now. He's generous with his money and fair with his terms, but he's also quite firm and *will* make it known if he feels that you are taking advantage of his kindness.
Just as his name enters serious consideration, a new wrinkle emerges:
1. He's openly Mormon.
2. Four years ago, he was in a public debate involving relatively prominent members of your denomination or organization. One of these individuals behaved in a very boorish fashion (arrogant behavior, rude comments, smug remarks, et cetra), and in response the businessman outright destroyed him by going to length in order to rip his arguments apart; the person's career as a pundit and "expert" has never recovered.
On one hand, this guy might be your last chance of getting financing for your new facility without making your congregants sit in inadequate facilities. On the other hand, more than a few people now view him as an enemy to your denomination or philosophical system.
What would you do?
You are a clergy member (or equivalent) in charge of a congregation or other organized group of people who share the same religious and/or philosophical beliefs.
Your current congregation is meeting in a building that is inadequate for your needs; it was good once upon a time, but is no longer a good long-term option.
Getting a new building to use will, of course, require a fair amount of money. Problem is, you don't have it on you right now, and (in part because of this) you're not considered a good enough credit risk for any local financial institution to loan you the money.
Word reaches you that there is a local businessman who often provides financial support for such "lost causes" as you happen to be right now. He's generous with his money and fair with his terms, but he's also quite firm and *will* make it known if he feels that you are taking advantage of his kindness.
Just as his name enters serious consideration, a new wrinkle emerges:
1. He's openly Mormon.
2. Four years ago, he was in a public debate involving relatively prominent members of your denomination or organization. One of these individuals behaved in a very boorish fashion (arrogant behavior, rude comments, smug remarks, et cetra), and in response the businessman outright destroyed him by going to length in order to rip his arguments apart; the person's career as a pundit and "expert" has never recovered.
On one hand, this guy might be your last chance of getting financing for your new facility without making your congregants sit in inadequate facilities. On the other hand, more than a few people now view him as an enemy to your denomination or philosophical system.
What would you do?