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The Mormon Wealth Attribution
Wheat and Tares.org ^ | Oct. 27, 2010 | Troth Everyman

Posted on 12/06/2010 8:12:02 PM PST by Colofornian

Do we really believe that just because one is rich one is blessed by God? According to a study published in 2004 which researched the Mormon Wealth Attribution (MWA), we do. The MWA can be defined as the tendency of LDS individuals to perceive those who are wealthy as more righteous or pious than their less wealthy neighbors. The randomized empirical study reported that “Church members are more likely to attribute righteousness to a wealthy church member than to a poor one” and that (in general) wealthy members of the church are seen as being better people, both secularly and spiritually than poor people.

I have seen many LDS individuals (including priesthood leaders) apply negative attributions and stereotypes toward those who are poor or lacking resources. They implied that these poor individuals need to “pull themselves up by their bootstraps” and either work harder or be more righteous. To me, making these kinds of attributions based on wealth alone (or at all) seems to be dangerous and hurtful.

What about environmental influences? Take the example of someone who has worked diligently to obtain training in a tech position. Then abruptly all of those tech jobs are shifted out of country. Did that person sin? Is s/he somehow less righteous than the wealthy person whose job was not shipped overseas? What about the person who invested all their savings in the housing market?

Wealth does not equal righteousness. There are many wealthy people within the LDS church (more per capita than most religions). However, just because one is LDS and rich does not mean one is righteous. I have known many wealthy LDS members who ran pyramid schemes, sold faulty merchandise, and were certainly not kind to their fellow-man. And yet at Church they were given a level of respect and positive regard simply because they made more than six figures. It has always struck me as odd that individuals who ruin other peoples financial stability can be perceived as somehow more righteous simply because they figured out how to make money and keep it. Does the value of the almighty dollar outweigh other values?

Poverty does not equal unrighteousness. I have known many people who had difficulty making ends meet. To me, these people seemed to be righteous and pious people who had deep and abiding faith in God. And yet these people were slighted, marginalized, and given menial callings at church. I also once had a close relative (who had experienced several financial setbacks in a row) ask me “why is it that this keeps happening to us? We pray, we go to church, we pay our tithing, we budget, we work hard, we do everything we are supposed to, why can’t we seem to get ahead?” Should I tell her she simply isn’t righteous enough?

While I disagree with people within the church that apply the MWA, I can understand why they apply it. Many LDS members buy into the concept of individualism as an explanation of poverty, if someone is lazy (an ungodly trait) then they are simply earning their just rewards. If they would pray more, be more obedient and work hard they would earn money. Individualism as an explanation of poverty asserts that poverty is always within ones control (based on secular conduct or spiritual conduct).

Mormons are also encouraged to believe in the MWA because of scriptures in the Book of Mormon which state that blessings (including worldly ones) are predicated upon righteousness; the more righteous the more blessings. At least until an individual becomes prideful (an unrighteous state) which is followed by a fall (which could mean they lose their money). It’s not a big leap to see why many members view those who are wealthy as somehow more righteous (They have earned their blessings by piety!). Those who are poor may have been prideful, or were guilty of some other sin which caused their fall.

The full reference for the study is: Rector, J. M. (2004). The Symbolic Universe of Latter-day Saints: Do We Believe The Wealthy Are More Righteous? AMCAP Journal, 29, 102-112. And can be read here:

https://ojs.lib.byu.edu/spc/index.php/IssuesInReligionAndPsychotherapy/article/viewFile/494/469

Do you believe wealth and righteousness are relate? What do you think about the MWA? What are the implications of such beliefs?


TOPICS: Moral Issues; Other Christian; Religion & Culture; Theology
KEYWORDS: inman; lds; mormon; poor; wealth
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To: aMorePerfectUnion

In summary the article is envious and resentful of wealthy Mormons and their extra status within their church. When the emotion of envy turns into action, it becomes hate. The hateful action of writing the article is physical evidence of envy, as is the Mormon bashing on FR. I’m not a Mormon, not even religious, but I’m also not a leftist. I despise envy and admire success.


21 posted on 12/07/2010 11:43:25 AM PST by Reeses
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To: Reeses; aMorePerfectUnion
What "party" are you talking about? The original article -- written by a Mormon on a Mormon Web site -- or some supposed "envious" comments on the article?

Which "comment" is envious?

You talk about some "party" as "envy-laden" but you didn't address anybody other than me.

And my only comments in post #1 was:

Comment b Hmm...I wonder how many "poor" general authorities there are in the Lds church were picked as paycheck-worthy general authorities?

(You're not implying that I'm envious the Lds general authorities didn't pick me-- a non-Mormon-- to be a general authority, are you?)

Comment a: There. Proof that the "prosperity gospel" didn't start with a few TV preachers! It goes back at least 180 years to Joseph Smith and his Book of Mormon!

NO Mormon envy there...I'm an equal-opportunity critic of the "prosperity gospel" -- I don't think it belongs in any church no matter what sign is on the door.

Comment c: Well. How would movies like A Christmas Carol and the Utah-based movie, The Ghosts of Dickens Past go over in Mormonland based upon the MWA?

So what? A Christmas Carol is now a tale of "envy" per you? Really?

But actually, I don't think your accusation of "envy" was addressing my comments at all.

And if you were addressing a specific poster, why ping me or only me?

No, if you'd been provoked by something supposedly "envious" said by a poster, you would pinged them.

You didn't.

Which really means you're addressing the author of this article. And that tells me that before you even commented, you didn't bother to look to see who wrote it.

So again, It was written by a Mormon on a Mormon Web site. Yet you spun this into an "us" vs. "them" thing instead of portraying this as a "them" vs. "them" thing.

Your comments need definitive clarification.

22 posted on 12/07/2010 11:47:18 AM PST by Colofornian
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To: Reeses; Religion Moderator
the Mormon advantage is scientifically real.

We are quite often tasked by the Religion Moderator with providing source links when we make specific claims like this. Please do provide a link to proof that "the Mormon advantage is scientifically real". Thanks

23 posted on 12/07/2010 11:57:47 AM PST by greyfoxx39 ("People who bite the hand that feeds them usually lick the boot that kicks them." Eric Hoffer)
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To: Colofornian
Which "comment" is envious? you didn't address anybody other than me.

My comment was about the envious article, not specifically your comments. You posted it so you get the comments not directed at someone specifically.

You have a point about the evils of mixing prosperity and gospel but the Mormons in general do not seem evil to me. They seem to be maximizing their success, which invokes envy. Envy is the driving destructive force behind modern leftism.

24 posted on 12/07/2010 12:07:04 PM PST by Reeses
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To: Reeses
My comment was about the envious article, not specifically your comments

Thank you for the clarification.

So let's dissect your "comment" -- knowing it was geared for the article:

This reads like an envy pity party. Much of the hate towards Mormons and Jews comes from envy about their ambition, wealth, and success.

Wait a minute. This was a Mormon authored piece on Mormon Web site. (So Mormons are "hating" themselves??? What?)

Your comment cont'd: While the Mormon religious beliefs can't be proven, the Mormon advantage is scientifically real. Mormon churches can be ostentatious but they advertise not just religion but success. Maybe we should spend some time studying why many Mormons do succeed in life rather than trying to bring them down a notch or two.

But again, I didn't write the article or originally post that article on the wheat and tares Web site. Mormons did. So Mormons are "trying to bring" down other Mormons "a notch or two"???

I'm sorry. But you don't do well playing the Mormon victim-game here. Perhaps you aren't a Mormon. (They seem to be better at it than you are)

25 posted on 12/07/2010 12:45:34 PM PST by Colofornian
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To: greyfoxx39
Mormons have some admirable life success demographics, not just in income: A Portrait of Mormons in the U.S.


26 posted on 12/07/2010 12:56:49 PM PST by Reeses
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To: Reeses
While the Mormon religious beliefs can't be proven, the Mormon advantage is scientifically real.

Oh?

I just LOVE science!

Got any DATA to prove what you just claimed?

27 posted on 12/07/2010 1:07:54 PM PST by Elsie (Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going.)
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To: Reeses

It mattereth not how one succeeds in life; doncha know.

It is how one succeeds after DEATH that is all important.

28 posted on 12/07/2010 1:09:16 PM PST by Elsie (Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going.)
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To: Reeses
I despise envy and admire success.

One man's envy is another's admiration; I guess.

29 posted on 12/07/2010 1:10:57 PM PST by Elsie (Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going.)
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To: Colofornian
Your comments need definitive clarification.

You spelled DEVINE wrong.

30 posted on 12/07/2010 1:11:54 PM PST by Elsie (Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going.)
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To: Reeses
You have a point about the evils of mixing prosperity and gospel but the Mormons in general do not seem evil to me.

Dang... I wonder why???

I’m not a Mormon, not even religious, but I’m also not a leftist.

Hang around: you might get 'religion' yet!

31 posted on 12/07/2010 1:13:50 PM PST by Elsie (Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going.)
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To: Reeses
Taking your data and running some math gets these results.

The Mormons don't seem to do THAT much better...

Percent

Mormon

non

Cash Average

Mormon

Non-Mormon

26

31

<30K

$25,000.00

$650,000.00

$775,000.00

21

22

30-50K

$40,000.00

$840,000.00

$880,000.00

38

30

50-100K

$75,000.00

$2,850,000.00

$2,250,000.00

16

18

>100k

$200,000.00

$3,200,000.00

$3,600,000.00

$7,540,000.00

$7,505,000.00


32 posted on 12/07/2010 1:33:28 PM PST by Elsie (Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going.)
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To: Elsie
One man's envy is another's admiration; I guess.

The difference is one is healthy competition and good, the other is unhealthy and evil.

I'm not for Mitt Romney. For one thing he wants it too bad, but I wish I had 10% of his ambition. Where does he get it? Most likely vanity, a Cardinal sin. Sarah Palin is much more attractive in that respect and others.

If I could become religious I would. The many advantages are real. I've tried but I just don't have the basic gift of faith.

33 posted on 12/07/2010 1:52:31 PM PST by Reeses
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To: Elsie
The Mormons don't seem to do THAT much better...

They should control for location, Utah, and family size. Kids are expensive. The Jews outperform Mormons economically but that may be partly genetic. For thousands of years leftists have set out to kill the Jews in envy. The Einsteins tend to get away leading to a slight population IQ boost each iteration.

34 posted on 12/07/2010 2:05:03 PM PST by Reeses
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To: Reeses
Mormon advantage is scientifically real

And the source is?

35 posted on 12/07/2010 2:58:06 PM PST by svcw
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To: Reeses

He wants because he is working to godhood.


36 posted on 12/07/2010 3:02:35 PM PST by svcw
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To: Reeses
genetic? Good grief. For generations Jews were not permitted to own real property so they earned their livelihood in business. Did you even look at those charts you posted?
37 posted on 12/07/2010 3:04:22 PM PST by svcw
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To: Reeses; Elsie
...the Mormons in general do not seem evil to me

What? You have an "evilmeter?" Do you have patented it for the world to access?

Think of what the TSA could do with an evilmeter applied to lines of waiting fliers. (They could do away with their groping marathon & radiation-causing machines)

Just one question on your "evilmeter" machine? Does it measure the inside of people or is it only based upon outward detection?

(Ya know I was thinking of Jesus encounters with the legalistic Pharisees, whom he said outwardly, unless your righteousness exceeded theirs, you would in no wise inherit God's kingdom...Yet inwardly, he compared them to filthy dishes and whitewashed sepulcres...so it's a bit "vital" that you have something more than some mere outward detection...after all, if people are auditioning for godhood like temple Mormons, they, too, would be on their best outward behavior!)

38 posted on 12/07/2010 5:01:49 PM PST by Colofornian
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To: Reeses

“In summary the article is envious and resentful of wealthy Mormons and their extra status within their church. When the emotion of envy turns into action, it becomes hate. The hateful action of writing the article is physical evidence of envy, as is the Mormon bashing on FR. “

I disagree.

Not envious.
Not resentful.
I disagree that action that comes from envy MUST be hate.
Writing an article is not hate.
MormonISM bashing is not hate.

It appears you missed the point of the article.

It would appear that you must be wearing hate-glasses through which you are viewing the world.

I’ve seen people that see racism everywhere.
This hatist thing is a new one...


39 posted on 12/07/2010 5:08:16 PM PST by aMorePerfectUnion
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To: Reeses
ve tried but I just don't have the basic gift of faith.

Then there is something that is taking its place.

When you figure that out; you're hhalfway there.

40 posted on 12/07/2010 7:25:48 PM PST by Elsie (Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going.)
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