Sweden becoming a cashless society

[Forgiven]

In Sweden, cash is king no more


cbsnews.com
March 17, 2012

STOCKHOLM — Sweden was the first European country to introduce bank notes in 1661. Now it's come farther than most on the path toward getting rid of them.

"I can't see why we should be printing bank notes at all anymore," says Bjoern Ulvaeus, former member of 1970's pop group ABBA, and a vocal proponent for a world without cash.

The contours of such a society are starting to take shape in this high-tech nation, frustrating those who prefer coins and bills over digital money.

In most Swedish cities, public buses don't accept cash; tickets are prepaid or purchased with a cell phone text message. A small but growing number of businesses only take cards, and some bank offices — which make money on electronic transactions — have stopped handling cash altogether.

"There are towns where it isn't at all possible anymore to enter a bank and use cash," complains Curt Persson, chairman of Sweden's National Pensioners' Organization.

He says that's a problem for elderly people in rural areas who don't have credit cards or don't know how to use them to withdraw cash.

The decline of cash is noticeable even in houses of worship, like the Carl Gustaf Church in Karlshamn, southern Sweden, where Vicar Johan Tyrberg recently installed a card reader to make it easier for worshippers to make offerings.

More: In Sweden, cash is king no more - CBS News

[mattfivefour]

One more baby step toward the cashless society in which it will be easy for a government to control its citizens.

[OliveOilMom]

How in the world is that even practical? Look at all the things cash has to be used for. When you hire a babysitter, it's usually a teenage girl and she doesn't take credit cards. You pay her in cash. You tip the pizza guy in cash. You tip the shampoo girl in cash. You tip the guy who loads your groceries into your car in cash. You pay the teenager who cuts your grass in cash. People who sell vegetables off the back of their trucks by the side of the road only take cash. Yard sales only take cash. In some places, I've seen girls whose birthday it is have a dollar pinned to their shirt and people give them another dollar to pin to it, etc. (Yeah, it's a country thing). You buy a newspaper with coins. You buy cold drinks with coins. You use pay phones with coins.

What about people with such bad credit that they can't get credit cards? What about people who have had bounced checks so they can't get bank accounts? What about unemployed people who have to do odd jobs here and there for cash because of no bank accounts? Is Sweden that rich that they don't need all that stuff?

That makes no sense at all. There should be an option to use that stuff for people who want to, if it makes things easier for them, but there should always be the option of cash for those who prefer to use it or need to use it. It's like the Kindles. It's great if you like it and prefer it, but many people want regular books.

No sense at all.

[micah719]

How about a nifty, handy little voice activated chip, then? Or thought activated...the computer people are working on that sort of thing.

Cash is anonymous and difficult to control. In the brave new world, anonymity, individuality and independence will be illegal. The ownership of private property is foundational to freedom in this arena we live in.

[Forgiven]

How in the world is that even practical? Look at all the things cash has to be used for. When you hire a babysitter, it's usually a teenage girl and she doesn't take credit cards. You pay her in cash. You tip the pizza guy in cash. You tip the shampoo girl in cash. You tip the guy who loads your groceries into your car in cash. You pay the teenager who cuts your grass in cash. People who sell vegetables off the back of their trucks by the side of the road only take cash. Yard sales only take cash. In some places, I've seen girls whose birthday it is have a dollar pinned to their shirt and people give them another dollar to pin to it, etc. (Yeah, it's a country thing). You buy a newspaper with coins. You buy cold drinks with coins. You use pay phones with coins.

What about people with such bad credit that they can't get credit cards? What about people who have had bounced checks so they can't get bank accounts? What about unemployed people who have to do odd jobs here and there for cash because of no bank accounts? Is Sweden that rich that they don't need all that stuff?

That makes no sense at all. There should be an option to use that stuff for people who want to, if it makes things easier for them, but there should always be the option of cash for those who prefer to use it or need to use it. It's like the Kindles. It's great if you like it and prefer it, but many people want regular books.

No sense at all.

Are you very familiar with the Bible and end times prophecy?

A cashless society (global) forcing people to accept the mark is what the Antichrist will demand.


And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads:
And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.

Revelation 13:16-17


The Ac can't control the world and require all to worship him if people can sneak under his radar by buying and selling (eating, existing) with untraceable cash.

[FaithInChrist]

Cash in hand will be a thing of the past. The government will use tactics that make society appear to be a better place if cash did not exist, such as, if we have a cashless society then we cannot buy illegal drugs nor can we buy illicit sex.

Really the concerns of the government are that every cash transaction could be a loss of tax revenue, because cash is so hard to track.

Once we have a cashless society every single purchase we make can be traced. Also every inflow of monies into our accounts can be traced. The government will have so much power. If you think about it the government will have the ability to balance each and every one of our bank accounts. Scary thing is they are almost to that point right now.

[nillapoet]

Even in the US cash is used far far less than it used be. When I was a cashier at a grocery store a few years ago, I would maybe get 1 out of 20 people using cash.

It'll happen and I think it'll happen sooner than most realize.

[Chris]

I think it is Grant Jeffrey that said that we are already about 97% cashless now as a society. That most of our "money" in the world simply exists as "blips" on a computer screen. The governments are going to want to put a pinch on the remaining 3%. The Antichrist will more than gladly help to eliminate the rest. I think once the rapture happens, the economic climate in the world will collapse and with lawlessness able to run free, schemes like the mark of the beast will not be so far fetched to implement as people will be looking to the governments to support and maintain any resemblance of life. JMHO.

When the end times chips really start to fall, the world is going to change like we could almost never imagine. I think that is why the Bible talks about the one who is restraining evil now will be taken out of the way, and lawlessness will abound. JMHO.

[mattfivefour]

I think you are correct, Chris.

[ShilohRose]

How in the world is that even practical? Look at all the things cash has to be used for. When you hire a babysitter, it's usually a teenage girl and she doesn't take credit cards. You pay her in cash. You tip the pizza guy in cash. You tip the shampoo girl in cash. You tip the guy who loads your groceries into your car in cash. You pay the teenager who cuts your grass in cash. People who sell vegetables off the back of their trucks by the side of the road only take cash. Yard sales only take cash. In some places, I've seen girls whose birthday it is have a dollar pinned to their shirt and people give them another dollar to pin to it, etc. (Yeah, it's a country thing). You buy a newspaper with coins. You buy cold drinks with coins. You use pay phones with coins.

What about people with such bad credit that they can't get credit cards? What about people who have had bounced checks so they can't get bank accounts? What about unemployed people who have to do odd jobs here and there for cash because of no bank accounts? Is Sweden that rich that they don't need all that stuff?

That makes no sense at all. There should be an option to use that stuff for people who want to, if it makes things easier for them, but there should always be the option of cash for those who prefer to use it or need to use it. It's like the Kindles. It's great if you like it and prefer it, but many people want regular books.

No sense at all.

In the city where I used to live, we bought Coca-Cola out of the machines with a debit or credit card. Candy and chips could be purchased the same way.

[SonSeeker]

I think it is Grant Jeffrey that said that we are already about 97% cashless now as a society. That most of our "money" in the world simply exists as "blips" on a computer screen. The governments are going to want to put a pinch on the remaining 3%. The Antichrist will more than gladly help to eliminate the rest. I think once the rapture happens, the economic climate in the world will collapse and with lawlessness able to run free, schemes like the mark of the beast will not be so far fetched to implement as people will be looking to the governments to support and maintain any resemblance of life. JMHO.

When the end times chips really start to fall, the world is going to change like we could almost never imagine. I think that is why the Bible talks about the one who is restraining evil now will be taken out of the way, and lawlessness will abound. JMHO.

It may be just your opinion Chris, but I think you're pretty right on. My wife and I own a small supply store, and the 97% cashless is pretty close to what we see. But what we just can't stand is those who want to buy something for just a few dollars and want to charge it. Our profit margin is small enough as it is, and we just can't afford to absorb all those bank charges.

But I'm sure after we're gone, those left behind will yearn for the "good ole' days".

[SonSeeker]

In the city where I used to live, we bought Coca-Cola out of the machines with a debit or credit card. Candy and chips could be purchased the same way.

The vending machine companies can afford to sell small items with a debit or charge card as they deal in huge volumes, but small mom & pop stores just can't do it, and will soon become a thing of the past.

[mattfivefour]

Bro, is it possible to add a small percentage to your prices to cover that cost? For example even one or two percent on ALL purchases should cover those who use their cards for minuscule purchases. I know that makes everybody pay for the few, but sometimes it cannot be avoided ... not if you want to stay in business.

[OliveOilMom]

Are you very familiar with the Bible and end times prophecy?

A cashless society (global) forcing people to accept the mark is what the Antichrist will demand.


And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads:
And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.

Revelation 13:16-17


The Ac can't control the world and require all to worship him if people can sneak under his radar by buying and selling (eating, existing) with untraceable cash.

Of course I'm familiar with it. That's one reason I'm floored that people are actually going in this direction. Wouldn't they #1 see that having things like that, which we already know about, is a really bad idea because it will bring more evil into the world, and #2 it just doesn't make sense from a convenience perspective.

I know that what the Bible says will come to pass, but I'm shocked that people have access to the prophesies and still do the bad things anyway. I know that it will happen and that it's supposed to happen, but the level of human stupidity to actually have access to a list of the things God said will bring the AC and then actually do those things, is foreign to me. I would do everything in my power to NOT bring the AC, simply because he's the AC and against God. Like the idea of worshipping the AC. It's hard to understand that people won't say "Oh, wait, this must be the Antichrist, so it's probably a bad idea to worship him or take that mark! Let's all not do it!" I know they WILL do it, but I can't imagine knowing about it and actually going ahead and doing it. It's like saying "Oh, I know all the books say cyanide is lethal, but I bet that's just hype, let's drink this anyway!"

[OliveOilMom]

Cash in hand will be a thing of the past. The government will use tactics that make society appear to be a better place if cash did not exist, such as, if we have a cashless society then we cannot buy illegal drugs nor can we buy illicit sex.

Really the concerns of the government are that every cash transaction could be a loss of tax revenue, because cash is so hard to track.

Once we have a cashless society every single purchase we make can be traced. Also every inflow of monies into our accounts can be traced. The government will have so much power. If you think about it the government will have the ability to balance each and every one of our bank accounts. Scary thing is they are almost to that point right now.

Sure you can buy drugs and sex without cash. You simply buy merchendise and trade it for the drugs or sex. Or, you go to your doctor, get a prescription for a popular drug by faking the symptoms, then have the prescription filled and trade that for a drug that you want instead, or trade it to a prostitute. You could also buy booze and trade it for those things. The black market would be based on merchendise instead of cash then. Or possibly services.

[Chris]

Of course I'm familiar with it. That's one reason I'm floored that people are actually going in this direction. Wouldn't they #1 see that having things like that, which we already know about, is a really bad idea because it will bring more evil into the world, and #2 it just doesn't make sense from a convenience perspective.

I know that what the Bible says will come to pass, but I'm shocked that people have access to the prophesies and still do the bad things anyway. I know that it will happen and that it's supposed to happen, but the level of human stupidity to actually have access to a list of the things God said will bring the AC and then actually do those things, is foreign to me. I would do everything in my power to NOT bring the AC, simply because he's the AC and against God. Like the idea of worshipping the AC. It's hard to understand that people won't say "Oh, wait, this must be the Antichrist, so it's probably a bad idea to worship him or take that mark! Let's all not do it!" I know they WILL do it, but I can't imagine knowing about it and actually going ahead and doing it. It's like saying "Oh, I know all the books say cyanide is lethal, but I bet that's just hype, let's drink this anyway!"

I think the sad fact is that most people out there in the world are not familiar with the prophecies and as a result don't see it coming. There are those like us who warn them but they don't listen. That seems to be the sorry state of the world today.

Most churches out there these days don't even touch Bible prophecy so there are many people who are sitting in churches that don't even have a clue as to what the Bible says. That's why sites like Rapture Forums exists so that people can hear the truth of God's Word here in the last days. We need to pray for those out there in the dark and be a light for them.

[OliveOilMom]

We don't have a bank account so we will be so far up the creek without a paddle that it won't be funny. If that happens before the rapture that is.

[Chris]

Sure you can buy drugs and sex without cash. You simply buy merchendise and trade it for the drugs or sex. Or, you go to your doctor, get a prescription for a popular drug by faking the symptoms, then have the prescription filled and trade that for a drug that you want instead, or trade it to a prostitute. You could also buy booze and trade it for those things. The black market would be based on merchendise instead of cash then. Or possibly services.

There will probably be an "underground" when things get bad and people will do as you have pointed out. But I'm glad the Lord has promised to keep us from the trial that is coming upon the Earth.

[OliveOilMom]

There will probably be an "underground" when things get bad and people will do as you have pointed out. But I'm glad the Lord has promised to keep us from the trial that is coming upon the Earth.

After the rapture, drugs and sex laws would probably be out the window, so you could probably just buy them with whatever card or chip or tattoo or whatever they have.

[micah719]

We don't have a bank account so we will be so far up the creek without a paddle that it won't be funny. If that happens before the rapture that is.

If you go paddling with the banks, your canoe is made of barbed wire; and I won't depress you further by telling you the composition of the river. Then again, considering most folks are in the debt river up to their eyeballs, having nothing is actually a good thing. Having too much is often worse. Where is your account at?

1Ti 6:3 If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness;
1Ti 6:4 He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings,
1Ti 6:5 Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.
1Ti 6:6 But godliness with contentment is great gain.
1Ti 6:7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.
1Ti 6:8 And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.
1Ti 6:9 But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.
1Ti 6:10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
1Ti 6:11 But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.
1Ti 6:12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.
1Ti 6:13 I give thee charge in the sight of God, who quickeneth all things, and before Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession;
1Ti 6:14 That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukeable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ:
1Ti 6:15 Which in his times he shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords;
1Ti 6:16 Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen.
1Ti 6:17 Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;
1Ti 6:18 That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate;
1Ti 6:19 Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.
1Ti 6:20 O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called:
1Ti 6:21 Which some professing have erred concerning the faith. Grace be with thee. Amen. The first to Timothy was written from Laodicea, which is the chiefest city of Phrygia Pacatiana.


p.s. Oh look, written from Laodicea....what a curious cross-reference...now where else is Laodicea mentioned, and what does it mean?