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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To be absolutely fuming about contributing to buying a car?

36 replies

VettiyaIruken · 09/03/2021 09:32

Fuming doesn't cover it!

Last night my husband was talking to one of his friends. A small group of people he was at school with are fundraising for the village church / reverend to get him a car so he can "better serve the community".

Fine, don't have a problem with that, always willing to contribute to things like that. It's just how things are. You pitch in.

Except.

This car will be 2,000,000 (around £13,000!!!)

I am livid. That is taking the absolute piss. Most of the people who still live in the area have sweet fa and they are giving the few coins they have to get the church a frigging thirteen grand car!

You can "serve the community" in a 2 or 3 grand car just as well. A 13,000 car is taking the piss.

I know that I don't have a choice, I get that. But this to me is just outrageous. My husband is all yes but what can you do? We have to contribute.

To be clear - not contributing is not an option, this is just how it is. I feel really angry and like this is yet another example of how churches take the absolute piss. He's going to be swanning around in his 2,000,000 car visiting people in the village who have next to nothing but helped him get that bloody obscenity.

I really object to participating in this. It's morally wrong imo.

This is not taking place in the UK, hence the currency conversion.

OP posts:
Atalune · 09/03/2021 09:34

What country??

Can you go higher up in the chain of the church and speak to the Bishop or whoever to query this? I think it’s a dreadful abuse of funds 😞

Foresttheout · 09/03/2021 09:41

Do you know what car they plan to buy OP? I ask because I wonder if this is the country I'm in (conversions add up) and here for £13000 you will get a newush but not brand new small city car a second hand 2014 and older small 4x4 or a 2008 and older larger 4x4. A few thousand pound will buy a heap of crap that will break ever 2 minutes. Obviously if you know the car and they're splashing out on a brand new fancy thing yanbu but if you don't it could just be that's how much cars cost there

Original poster
VettiyaIruken · 09/03/2021 09:42

It's Kenya. No, nothing to be done. Church is above criticism. 🙄

I'm just really angry. Nobody needs such an expensive car. That amount of money could do so much for the village. But instead it's going to enable a man to swan about in a posh car

OP posts:
yoyo1234 · 09/03/2021 09:43

A few times when I have gone abroad I have thought that the poorer the area the more ostentatious/extravagant the churches (and their wealth) appear to be. The car sounds inappropriate .

AllTheCakes · 09/03/2021 09:44

I’m glad you can see through this. The poorest people usually give the most.

Bouncebacker · 09/03/2021 09:48

You don’t have to contribute, surely? It’s not a legal requirement? What if you were not Christian and lived in the village?

Newfor2021 · 09/03/2021 09:48

Can you whistle blow to a journalist / media outlet who would cover the story?

araiwa · 09/03/2021 09:50

13k for a posh car?Confused

Can't even get a new Corsa for that

Original poster
VettiyaIruken · 09/03/2021 09:52

Yes, we do have to I'm afraid. It's hard to explain but it is absolutely expected and would be shameful to not.

Media no, for a start they would support the church! It's a different culture and a different mentality.

I suppose I'm just venting because I am so angry. The reality is the car will happen, the community will feel happy that they did something great for god and the rev will enjoy showing off in his lovely car. I hate it

OP posts:
Hoppinggreen · 09/03/2021 09:53

@VettiyaIruken

It's Kenya. No, nothing to be done. Church is above criticism. 🙄

I'm just really angry. Nobody needs such an expensive car. That amount of money could do so much for the village. But instead it's going to enable a man to swan about in a posh car

Completely corrupt However all the people on here who are advising you not to contribute or to do something about it dont live in your community and probably don’t understand how pressured everyone will be to do this
Hoppinggreen · 09/03/2021 09:53

@araiwa

13k for a posh car?Confused

Can't even get a new Corsa for that

Pretty sure you can in Kenya
Alexandernevermind · 09/03/2021 09:56

It stinks @VettiyaIruken. Our local priest in the UK has a second hand small car, probably cost £3,000 tops, which serves him very well. He covers 3 churches with that.

rookiemere · 09/03/2021 10:01

Will the amount contributed be noted? Could you get away with a small contribution? I'm guessing yes and no.

Original poster
VettiyaIruken · 09/03/2021 10:05

You guess correctly!

Thank you for the responses. Having a rant about it has very much helped me!

OP posts:
araiwa · 09/03/2021 10:05

Pretty sure you can't

A new Suzuki ciaz is 2.4m

Gerla · 09/03/2021 10:08

I suppose I'm just venting because I am so angry. The reality is the car will happen, the community will feel happy that they did something great for god and the rev will enjoy showing off in his lovely car. I hate it

I bet a lot of people think like you OP and just can't speak up. It's a difficult situation.

allmycats · 09/03/2021 10:12

That is so hard for you. Yes, you will have to contribute, and yes, they are taking the pass. Corruption is holding back so many countries.

northbacchus · 09/03/2021 10:15

Will the car at least be more reliable at that price? :(

Boulshired · 09/03/2021 10:19

There is no point in giving a car if the person can not afford the upkeep. I can understand the need to buy a more reliable (in theory) car.

Original poster
VettiyaIruken · 09/03/2021 10:33

Reliable? Lord knows.
We have a car kept there that was less than half that and it's still going strong and used by several family members.

Based on previous experience the 2000000 won't be the end of it either. We're forever getting oh there's this to pay too btw.

Urgh. It'll be fine. I'll get over it. I just have to tell myself that if the community feel good about it maybe that will just have to be enough.

OP posts:
BigFatLiar · 09/03/2021 10:47

Has your minister actually said he needs/wants a car? Or is this coming from a committee of people who want to show themselves helping?

Atalune · 09/03/2021 10:50

That’s infuriating!

Markies · 09/03/2021 10:53

Husband has a colleague from a very similar culture. The church funded his education at a prestigious UK university so it’s now expected that a chunk of his salary is paid to the church/village every month. He’s also contacted when XYZ needs repaired and is expected to contribute if not pay. Not saying it’s the same thing but sounds quite similar - church is the heart of everything.

BarbaraofSeville · 09/03/2021 10:55

Who's going to pay to run the car? It will need fuel, maintenance and whatever other legal requirements there are in place (insurance, MOT, road tax type requirements if applicable).

If it's just the local area of up to a few miles, can't he get around by bicycle or a moped, rather than an actual car. Or does he need to go beyond paved roads so will 'need' a 4X4?

Does the reverend get paid by the church? Why can't they buy him a car for him to serve his community? 'The Church' is generally a very wealthy organisation.

Original poster
VettiyaIruken · 09/03/2021 11:00

Who's going to pay to run the car? Take a wild guess.

Most churches everywhere are wealthy and they get and stay that way by getting money from attendees!

I really loathe organised religion.

OP posts: