hypothetical: debts and debtors

Ironhold

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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?
 

Chesterton

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Somehow this doesn't smell completely hypothetical...:)

I kinda think business is business. I'm sure I transact regularly with atheists and Muslims and all manner of people I disagree with. I guess ideally I'd prefer to do this kind of business with a like-minded person, but if it were really sort of a last resort I'd take financing from him.
 
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awitch

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A little hard to relate since I'm a congregation of one but when I was in a group we never had buildings since religious activities were done outside or in the privacy of someone's home.

But hypothetically, I think it's an all around bad idea to tie religion to business especially under such contentious circumstances. If the business man is seen as an enemy of the congregation and you accept the funding, you may find yourself in a shiny new building...with no congregants.
 
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JackRT

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I don't think you should do business with a Mormon when it can be avoided. I'd go to my local Christian Credit Union and get financing there.

Who else don't you do business with (when it can be avoided)?
 
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JackRT

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Mormons like to do business with Mormons, so why should they have a problem with a Lutheran who chooses to do business with fellow Christians.

You didn't address my question.
 
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LoAmmi

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I prefer to do business with Christians when at all possible. I'm boycotting Campbell's Soup because of their homosexual commercial. Does that answer your question?

I prefer to do business with those that have a good reputation and offer fair prices. Their religious affiliation usually has nothing to do with those two criteria.
 
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Robban

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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?

Lay it out on the table at a meeting of members,

Because there are things that have to be ironed out first.

There could be big trouble ahead otherwise.
 
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awitch

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I prefer to do business with Christians when at all possible. I'm boycotting Campbell's Soup because of their homosexual commercial. Does that answer your question?

OH NO! Gay people buy and eat soup!
 
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JackRT

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I prefer to do business with Christians when at all possible. I'm boycotting Campbell's Soup because of their homosexual commercial. Does that answer your question?

A homosexual commercial? Was it promoting homosexuality or soup? Would you boycott a soup commercial that portrayed a woman in a hijab or a priest wearing a roman collar or an Inuit wearing a parka?
 
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Robban

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I prefer to do business with Christians when at all possible. I'm boycotting Campbell's Soup because of their homosexual commercial. Does that answer your question?

You are free to buy or not buy, but,

the O post was more than about the loangivers person.

Wether he was Mormon, Catholic or the man in the moon.
 
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GracetotheHumble

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A homosexual commercial? Was it promoting homosexuality or soup? Would you boycott a soup commercial that portrayed a woman in a hijab or a priest wearing a roman collar or an Inuit wearing a parka?

I'm free to boycott everything that goes against my values...so yes.
 
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awitch

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I'm free to boycott everything that goes against my values...so yes.

But do you?
Microsoft, Apple, Google, Dell, HP, Amazon, major banks, credit card companies, and Internet/cell phone providers all support LGBTQ rights. I bet you use tons of products from lots of different companies that go against your values every day.
 
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Arthra

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Early in the twentieth century the Baha'is of North America at the time had a ground breaking ceremony in Wilmette Illinois ... The site of the current Baha'i House of Worship there... The Baha'is were very few in number. Donations for Baha'i projects can only be received from Baha'is themselves.. We do not solicit funds from non-Baha'i sources. A well known and wealthy businessman wanted to make a contribution to the building of the Temple..but his offer was politely refused.

When the temple was completed over some forty years the following words were cited in praise of its construction:

This House of Worship was built and is maintained by voluntary contributions from members of the Bahá’í Faith. It is a gift for all people to use for personal prayer and meditation.
 
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awitch

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I boycott Campbell’s soup because the label is red and red is the color of communism. Plus the soup is made in New Joysee.

Dem's fightin' woids

full
 
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