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shadowsworn

stuff like this is why I don't associate myself with any single organized religion. Too much close-mindedness, by their very nature. In my opinion the ritualization is the problem. It is the "organization" in organized religion, and it strips faith of the ability for true, individual expression.

I believe for instance that the only true Christianity is one based, like someone said already, on taking the bible not as absolute truth, but as guidelines, disregarding most of the unnecessary rules and rituals and history, and taking the core messages only. Then you disregard everything any church says, and pray on your own, or if you want to do it with a group, it should be in a spontaneous manner. None of this stand up sit down, kneel, eat, then go out and act like you did before nonsense.

Ritual by it's very nature encourages people to take part in faith not because they believe, but because of other factors ie. peer-pressure. Also it leads to brainwashing of a sort, because you're basically blindly accepting the views of some old men because they have some robes and good oratory skills.

In my opinion blind acceptance of things is not what true faith means. Every person is supposed to be different right? therefore it stands to reason that faith for every person should be different, based on individual thought and experience (not that you can't confer with others, that would be close-mindedness too, but you shouldn't allow any one person, group or source to shape your views entirely)

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livejamie

I am an ex-Mormon who got out of the church, I'm telling you - your account of what's going on seems to be distorted. If you have any questions, I'll be happy to answer them.

You're referring to Revelation 22:18-19:
“For I testify unto every man that hears the words of the prophecy of this book, if any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book. If any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the tree of life and out of the holy city and from the things written in this book.”

Although LDS people claim that the warning only applies to the book of Revelation itself, not to the entire Bible.

Which is confusing it itself because then it could be argued that nothing should have been written (or accepted) after Moses penned Deuteronomy since it contains the first of such admonitions.

This is only one of the many confusing, contradicting verses of the Bible.

It gets a little bit confusing there, because the modern LDS church abolished polygamy around the turn of the century.

Some of the oldskool dudes who liked having a bunch of wives fled to Canada, Mexico or really rural parts of the country and are refered to as "Mormon Fundamentalists" or some have even formed their own spin-offs of the LDS church, but none of them are recognized by the modern church and yes, they would be excommunicated.

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I don't understand why people have a need to label themselves in the first place, to the OP: just do whatever it is you like to do, and what makes you feel best, don't struggle with the label of it, don't think you have to be Buddhist, or Mormon, or Jewish, or whatever.

Just be yourself, and if that works for you like it worked for me - you'll be relieved.

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girtrute

on big problem with your statment lord clearly labels in the bible he is not a liar and to take his verses as you say to take them you would be calling him a liar.And it would erase the whole factor of religion and faith. to truely be a cristian you have to except the lord jesus christ as your savior couse no man comes to god but through him.

shadowsworn

I'm not a christian and not interested in being one ever again. I just used it as an example because I grew up a catholic so that's what I know.

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girtrute

catholic doesnt allow you to have your own personal relationship with the lord. Confession though its a good thing man doesnt forgive you its the lord you need to confess sins to the lord not a man unless u sined against that person.

livejamie

I don't think this topic is the appropriate place for your preaching.

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olaph

preaching to people who aren't interested is another thing wrong with religons.

If i wanted to hear about being smited for something i'd ask.

But unless i do i don't appreciate people telling me what to do and how to do it based on a book that contradicts pretty much every thing it says.

So unless you want to me essentially tear your beliefs and values in Christianity apart i suggest not preaching to people who are talking about the interesting views of Mormons and not why its apparently "blasphemy" in the eyes of Christians.

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girtrute

the guy sounded pretty interested in knowing so i was just putting my cents in there. since i have studied alot of different religions.

AtomSlap

Compare any of the mythological stories in religious documents from various religions, to logic/realism, they're all pretty weird.

TS: Mormonism isn't something I know enough to answer questions/participate in a debate, sorry.

Gaika

People like girtrute deserve a slap. Religion is/was not meant to be spread around and bargained with, or paraded with around. It sickens me. I drive down Toronto seeing these adds that say "Jesus will love you!" "Jesus is here for you, speak with him!" "God is your only entrance to a better place!" as if they were some sort of indirect ad to conform or convert to a form of Christianity.

When Jesus wrote what he wrote, he didn't write anything about doing such things, and making it look like something bad. That's just wrong.

It's wrong.