Sounds like pure communism to me. They promise that everyone will be able to afford a new building. However, when the time comes, they stint on the funding and no one gets one. Instead, congregations are strapped into donating for these things. They get stuck with big pledges, and the hounders get stuck with the bill when they come up short. In turn, they hound the congregation for more donations. Eventually, they start tracking down those who do not donate, and start "shepherding" them.
In time, you start seeing hounders (and the Filthful and Disgraceful Slavebugger) starting a situation where everyone must make an individual pledge. They keep that on file. Each month, that person's donations are matched with the pledges--or they are hounded to have it automatically debited from bank accounts or added to credit cards. If they come up short, they are hounded. They could lose "privileges(??)". They could be subject to a judicial hearing, possibly for welshing on a promise, or even "brazen conduct" after an earlier hounding. Or, if they can find a bad judge, they could even be sued for "breach of contract". Anything to inflict mass poverty on the flock.
And, if you think this is bad, wait until they start imposing pledges for the Worldwide Damnation Fund. If that card is played, virtually everything the whole congregation owns, including personal property, becomes communal (similar to Twelve Tribes Cult!). Beyond the congregations pledging, the individuals could be forced to pledge (under hounding, loss of "privileges(??)", disfellowshipping threats, or possibly even legal action). They could insist on seeing the same W2 forms that are used for income tax filings to determine what each "should" pledge, disregarding fluctuations in income. They then determine, usually stingily, how much you "need" and expect you to pledge the difference. They then can keep track of how much you donate--pay cash, they match it against your pledge. Checks are also matched. If you use a credit card or direct withdrawal, they also match that with how much you pledge. They also match your pledge with what they determine you should have pledged--if the pledge is low, they hound and threaten.
My advice: Simply leave the pledge form at home. If they shove another one in your face, you simply tell them that, since they are putting you on the spot, you are going to put zero or a negative amount (meaning they pay you monthly instead of you paying them) in the box. Do not raise your hand in agreement to any resolutions. Donate nothing. If they force you into a pledge or put a positive amount in your behalf, simply welsh on it and tell them they had no right to pledge in your behalf (and that they can and should get disfellowshipped by their own standard, as this is theft). Go and find Zero Dollar Bills and Void Checks and put those in the box in lieu of real cash. And, whatever you do, do NOT attempt to have automatic deductions from your bank account or charges on your credit card. They go behind your back and put you in for that, you simply report a disallowed transaction and they will get in big Trouble.
