Senior free labour provider dies whilst mowing a church lawn

[MG 2.0]

I said basically the same thing earlier. My guess is you’ll get a ‘kudos’. But that’s OK. I feel the same way about this as you do. Kudos for repeating it.

Regards,
MG

I dunno, MG. Either way, I will call it as I see it.

And I appreciate that. Even though we do not agree on many things I see you as an honest broker insofar as I can tell.

Regards,
MG

[Marcus]

...and I find nothing wrong with him providing service of his own free will in the way he wanted to...

I would characterize it as 'the way he was told to.' It was a completely avoidable incident. The LDS church engages in unsafe practices that would not be tolerated if it wasn't dishonestly hiding its corporate existence behind the facade of a religion. I see no benefit in celebrating these obscenities.

[I Have Questions]

...and I find nothing wrong with him providing service of his own free will in the way he wanted to...

I would characterize it as 'the way he was told to.' It was a completely avoidable incident. The LDS church engages in unsafe practices that would not be tolerated if it wasn't dishonestly hiding its corporate existence behind the facade of a religion. I see no benefit in celebrating these obscenities.

I suppose I would challenge Kishkumen’s sentiments (which aren’t unreasonable) is whether or not this person’s choice to leave his family and to spend his retirement funds and time on maintaining the grounds of an entity that is using the proceeds of that labour to build up a trillion dollar fund that isn’t being used for what it is claimed it is for. Plus is it free will if it comes as a result of manipulation or brainwashing? For instance, does Kishkumen feel the same about the people that made the free will choice to drink the Kool Aid and committed suicide? (an extreme example I know, but it demonstrates the point)

[Dr. Shades]

I sure hope you're right. Otherwise, senior missions would be a money-making enterprise for the church.

It is. They advertise for people retired from very specific jobs and then use them in that specific job on a volunteer basis. Not for missionary work, but for jobs at a significant salary level.

That's certainly true, although I'd characterize that as a money saving enterprise. I don't think that's as bad, but it's still exploitative.

I wonder: Do any retirees ever catch on to the fact that non-proselyting senior missions are scams to save the church from having to pay people what they're worth? Or does the word "mission" work like magic so none of them ever realize they're being used?

[Marcus]

It is. They advertise for people retired from very specific jobs and then use them in that specific job on a volunteer basis. Not for missionary work, but for jobs at a significant salary level.

That's certainly true, although I'd characterize that as a money saving enterprise. I don't think that's as bad, but it's still exploitative.

No, they are not 'saving' money with this strategy, they are reducing cost in a business enterprise. The end result of decreasing cost in this way is to increase profit, or the net of revenue over expenses, if they are pretending to be a church enterprise while exploiting tax law. Increasing profit or net holdings is 'making money,' not saving money. It is definitely as bad, and yes, exploitative.

[I Have Questions]

That's certainly true, although I'd characterize that as a money saving enterprise. I don't think that's as bad, but it's still exploitative.

No, they are not 'saving' money with this strategy, they are reducing cost in a business enterprise. The end result of decreasing cost in this way is to increase profit, or the net of revenue over expenses, if they are pretending to be a church enterprise while exploiting tax law. Increasing profit or net holdings is 'making money,' not saving money. It is definitely as bad, and yes, exploitative.

That’s a very interesting angle. The Church is using free labour to enhance and protect the value of a property asset. The area isn’t a historical site in the sense that it’s protected. The Church has just decided to take a piece of ordinary land and designate it as “historic” to them. Another is that by using free labour services to provide professional services on an official site is taking jobs from professionals. The Church is being anti-job creation and anti-competitive.

If the guy was serving a mission mowing the lawns of nursing homes to enhance the environment of people at the end of their life, then that would be a more Christlike service.

[I Have Questions]

It is. They advertise for people retired from very specific jobs and then use them in that specific job on a volunteer basis. Not for missionary work, but for jobs at a significant salary level.

That's certainly true, although I'd characterize that as a money saving enterprise. I don't think that's as bad, but it's still exploitative.

I seem to recall missionaries serving at their own expense within the Church’s for-profit enterprises, like the hunting ranches. That is exploitation and profiteering and, to a certain extent, an example of modern slavery (forced servitude by a lifetime of coercive control).

[Marcus]

It is. They advertise for people retired from very specific jobs and then use them in that specific job on a volunteer basis. Not for missionary work, but for jobs at a significant salary level.

That's certainly true, although I'd characterize that as a money saving enterprise. I don't think that's as bad, but it's still exploitative.

I wonder: Do any retirees ever catch on to the fact that non-proselyting senior missions are scams to save the church from having to pay people what they're worth? Or does the word "mission" work like magic so none of them ever realize they're being used?

Good question. After my father retired from working for the LDS church, they immediately called him on several missions, wherein he did exactly the same work, only 7 days a week instead of 5. His wife functioned as his full time office staff, so the church actually got two full-time employees for free. In my estimation, the church avoided yearly well over multiple hundred thousand dollars in salaries and benefits by this scheme. One of the callings involved staying in his own home, but it is my understanding he still had to pay a mission fee for the two of them. After several of these 'callings,' lasting multiple years, he quietly stopped. Being the apostate I am, I didn't get full details but it is my understanding from talking to my siblings that even though he is as devout a Mormon as you could possibly find, he still felt the LDS church was asking too much, and was taking unfair advantage of him. He won't say that out loud to just anyone, though, being a loyal TBM. It's sad to see.

[Hound of Heaven]

...The fact that this service missionary has passed away in an accident is sad. Accidents happen all too often all over the world and in many and varied situations. Wouldn't it be awesome if God stepped in every time an accident was about to happen? Or not...

This is a disgusting piece of justification from the mentalgymnast. This was not an "accident." It was an event that happened because of very bad practices on the part of the LDS church. It was entirely avoidable, and it is the fault of this cult masquerading as a religion.

This post is quite absurd! Certainly, the incident involving the elderly missionary was an accident; to imply anything different is sheer incompetence!

What is the source of all this animosity within you? What has happened to you that makes you seem like someone others would prefer to avoid?

This elderly man likely passed away while engaging in what he believed was working for the Lord! Surely, you recognize that accidents can occur even during missions, correct?

[Kishkumen]

I suppose I would challenge Kishkumen’s sentiments (which aren’t unreasonable) is whether or not this person’s choice to leave his family and to spend his retirement funds and time on maintaining the grounds of an entity that is using the proceeds of that labour to build up a trillion dollar fund that isn’t being used for what it is claimed it is for. Plus is it free will if it comes as a result of manipulation or brainwashing? For instance, does Kishkumen feel the same about the people that made the free will choice to drink the Kool Aid and committed suicide? (an extreme example I know, but it demonstrates the point)

I feel like we have entered that conversation in which we ask whether car makers are morally responsible for all fatal car accidents. I mean, they did build and sell the damn cars, and those things are dangerous.