Is LDS Mormonism a pyramid scheme?

The catch-all forum for general topics and debates. Minimal moderation. Rated PG to PG-13.
Post Reply
_I have a question
_Emeritus
Posts: 9749
Joined: Fri Feb 13, 2015 8:01 am

Is LDS Mormonism a pyramid scheme?

Post by _I have a question »

A pyramid scheme is a business model that recruits members via a promise of payments or services for enrolling others into the scheme, rather than supplying investments or sale of products or services. As recruiting multiplies, recruiting becomes quickly impossible, and most members are unable to profit; as such, pyramid schemes are unsustainable and often illegal.

Pyramid schemes have existed for at least a century in different guises. Some multi-level marketing plans have been classified as pyramid schemes.[1]

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pyramid_scheme

When you boil it down, all the Church wants from its members is for them to go out and get more members. Either by serving a mission, recruiting friends and neighbours or work associates, producing children or even recruiting the deceased. Everything about the Church comes down to recruitment.

Members pay a monthly subscription (tithing) for the privilege of being able to sell the product (Mormonism) with a promise of great rewards. When you buy the product, all it is is a requirement to go out and sell more product. And the only people benefitting financially are those at the top of the pyramid.

An argument can be made that the LDS Church is a pyramid scheme.
“When we are confronted with evidence that challenges our deeply held beliefs we are more likely to reframe the evidence than we are to alter our beliefs. We simply invent new reasons, new justifications, new explanations. Sometimes we ignore the evidence altogether.” (Mathew Syed 'Black Box Thinking')
_Nightlion
_Emeritus
Posts: 9899
Joined: Wed May 06, 2009 8:11 pm

Re: Is LDS Mormonism a pyramid scheme?

Post by _Nightlion »

I tell people that Brigham Young invented pyramid marketing. Back in the day when people campaigned to adopt others into their sealed family chain and with so many wanting to be sealed to the prophet, Brigham thought it appropriate that they pay a yearly tribute to him. This was not tithing but dues.

This was abandoned but the pyramid concept of paying it upward has thrived.

I have spent some time in GOOGLE trying to find a link. It is in the back roads of my memory.
The Apocalrock Manifesto and Wonders of Eternity: New Mormon Theology
https://www.docdroid.net/KDt8RNP/the-apocalrock-manifesto.pdf
https://www.docdroid.net/IEJ3KJh/wonders-of-eternity-2009.pdf
My YouTube videos:HERE
Post Reply