question for a mormon

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You don't think that the whole thing about becoming a god of your own planet (for men only) is a little weirder than most religions? You also don't think the thing about translating a book made out of gold wearing magic glasses made from rocks touched by the hand of god is a little weirder than most religions?

Or that there is some all-powerful being who lives in the sky who created everything, but who also listens to everything that everyone everywhere is saying. Oh, and that God sent His Son to Earth to save everybody by being killed, but the Son is also God, too, and the Holy Spirit. All three of them are the same thing--except they're all different too. Like water. And angels, too.

It's all fucking lunacy--the only reason anyone believes it is because they trusted their parents, who told them it was true when they were young. This is the reason organized religion is desperately keen to get their hands on children. They know the ju-ju only works if you get it into peoples' heads when they're too young to know any better.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You don't think that the whole thing about becoming a god of your own planet (for men only) is a little weirder than most religions? You also don't think the thing about translating a book made out of gold wearing magic glasses made from rocks touched by the hand of god is a little weirder than most religions?

Or that there is some all-powerful being who lives in the sky who created everything, but who also listens to everything that everyone everywhere is saying. Oh, and that God sent His Son to Earth to save everybody by being killed, but the Son is also God, too, and the Holy Spirit. All three of them are the same thing--except they're all different too. Like water. And angels, too.

It's all fucking lunacy--the only reason anyone believes it is because they trusted their parents, who told them it was true when they were young. This is the reason organized religion is desperately keen to get their hands on children. They know the ju-ju only works if you get it into peoples' heads when they're too young to know any better.

See "Jesus Camp" It's down right frightening!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The Mormon religion doesn't seem any more bizarre to me than any other religion. I'm a direct descendent of Brigham Young so I come from Mormons but my parents were atheist. My mom had been raised strictly Mormon but she rejected the whole thing. The only thing I think is a bit weirder about Mormons is that they can convert family members after they are dead. My grandmother did this to my grandfather who was an atheist. Not really fair.

Scary, we could be related. I too hail from Young stock and even grew up in Utah. Likewise my parents were atheists; they grew up being "jack Mormon" (from Mormon families but not practicing) but I never thought of myself as jack, I really never self-identified as Mormons at all.

As to the OP's question, you have to realize that Mormons who live outside of Zion (Utah or Idaho) are already MUCH more open minded and relaxed than Utah (or god forbid Idaho) Mormons. I know Mos do missions all over the US and world, blah blah blah, but when you live in a majority society, things are much more judgmental (and I think that goes for any majority religion). My parents were definitely judged by coworkers (told to their faces) in UT over things like coffee. Once when my Dad was drinking a beer on our back deck after mowing the lawn one hot Sunday afternoon our neighbor (who had to have been wearing binocs to see that!) came over to ask that he not "do that" outside where it could be seen. When I encounter Mos out here, I find them much less openly judgmental because there's no pack mentality and they're the minority. I know plenty of Mos from UT who could never live outside of that world (beyond their 2 year mission). If you meet somewhere here, chances are they're mostly immune to our sins. Though I'm sure they'd love to save you if you indicated interest.

[Anonymous]

I've actually dated 2 Mormons. (clearly they weren't super-devout or they probably wouldn't have dated an Episcopalian.) Believe me, one of the first questions I asked was about the magic underwear. Neither of them wore it, but they both owned it. Neither one of them judged me at all for drinking alcohol; one was a non-drinker for other reasons and the other one drank alcohol.

My brother and his wife are Baptist and they judge me for drinking alcohol. I judge them for being creationists who don't believe in Evolution, so it's all good.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I've actually dated 2 Mormons. (clearly they weren't super-devout or they probably wouldn't have dated an Episcopalian.) Believe me, one of the first questions I asked was about the magic underwear. Neither of them wore it, but they both owned it. Neither one of them judged me at all for drinking alcohol; one was a non-drinker for other reasons and the other one drank alcohol.

My brother and his wife are Baptist and they judge me for drinking alcohol. I judge them for being creationists who don't believe in Evolution, so it's all good.

I went to high school with a lot of Mormons (in Montana) and my understanding was that you got the magic underwear when you got married and you wore it all the time, even-or ESPECIALLY during sex. The idea being that you are only having sex to procreate and not for pleasure. Mormons, feel free to correct me if I'm wrong

One thing that I've noticed about all Mormons that I've met is that they are extremely kind, nice people and have really great relationships with their families.

[Anonymous]

One thing that I've noticed about all Mormons that I've met is that they are extremely kind, nice people and have really great relationships with their families.

I have noticed this too, and I will add that the mainline LDS I've met are also very hardworking, successful, and unusually industrious. They are also often conventionally attractive. See Elizabeth Smart's whole family as an example of what I speak.

My props to them, said as respectful atheist.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The Mormon religion doesn't seem any more bizarre to me than any other religion. I'm a direct descendent of Brigham Young so I come from Mormons but my parents were atheist. My mom had been raised strictly Mormon but she rejected the whole thing. The only thing I think is a bit weirder about Mormons is that they can convert family members after they are dead. My grandmother did this to my grandfather who was an atheist. Not really fair.

As an atheist, I can say definitively that it wouldn't bother me. In fact, the idea that you can "convert family members after they are dead" is pretty nonsensical. If someone claims to have a magical healing potato, and I think they're nuts, I'm probably not going to care if--after I'm dead--they put in a good word for me with their supernatural spud.

I want to name my next band Supernatural Spud.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I've actually dated 2 Mormons. (clearly they weren't super-devout or they probably wouldn't have dated an Episcopalian.) Believe me, one of the first questions I asked was about the magic underwear. Neither of them wore it, but they both owned it. Neither one of them judged me at all for drinking alcohol; one was a non-drinker for other reasons and the other one drank alcohol.

My brother and his wife are Baptist and they judge me for drinking alcohol. I judge them for being creationists who don't believe in Evolution, so it's all good.

I think many Mormons are into "evangelical dating" -- they love converts more than the Baptists do!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:... Once when my Dad was drinking a beer on our back deck after mowing the lawn one hot Sunday afternoon our neighbor (who had to have been wearing binocs to see that!) came over to ask that he not "do that" outside where it could be seen. ...

This reminds me of my favorite Mormon joke (told to me by a Mormon): When you go fishin' with a Mormon, always bring a second Mormon along, so they'll keep each other honest. If you only bring one, he'll drink all your beer.

Makes me giggle every time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

One thing that I've noticed about all Mormons that I've met is that they are extremely kind, nice people and have really great relationships with their families.

I have noticed this too, and I will add that the mainline LDS I've met are also very hardworking, successful, and unusually industrious. They are also often conventionally attractive. See Elizabeth Smart's whole family as an example of what I speak.

My props to them, said as respectful atheist.

It has been my experience as well. I have never met a nicer group of ppl as a whole. I think the hardworking thing is one of the major values of the religion. They have a remarkable ability to take care of their own. You will never find a mormon who is in need, as they have an unrivaled network of support.

The magic undies sound kooky, but clearly they are doing something right, as they truly seem to radiate happiness. Where can I get a pair of these undies? I could use an attitude adjustment myself!

[Anonymous]

I read this as "question for moron".

Lol, Mormon. Same thing.

[Anonymous]

difference between mormons and mainstream christianity is that everything in the old testament that can be factually vetted has been proven to be true. historians accept the basic scenario - only question is the miracles and the resurrection.

all of the facts in the book of mormon, however, have been proven to be false. the lost tribe of israel, the archaeology, etc. it is fantasy.

as for the miracles - the jesus miracles took place 2,000 years ago, so it is hard to know either way. Joseph Smith was 150 years ago and a convicted felon for fraud before he get started.

lastly, almost EVERY religion was started by someone who was in it for the money or the chicks. Christianity is one of the few that was not.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

One thing that I've noticed about all Mormons that I've met is that they are extremely kind, nice people and have really great relationships with their families.

I have noticed this too, and I will add that the mainline LDS I've met are also very hardworking, successful, and unusually industrious. They are also often conventionally attractive. See Elizabeth Smart's whole family as an example of what I speak.

My props to them, said as respectful atheist.

It has been my experience as well. I have never met a nicer group of ppl as a whole. I think the hardworking thing is one of the major values of the religion. They have a remarkable ability to take care of their own. You will never find a mormon who is in need, as they have an unrivaled network of support.

The magic undies sound kooky, but clearly they are doing something right, as they truly seem to radiate happiness. Where can I get a pair of these undies? I could use an attitude adjustment myself!

Okay, whatever crazy. You do realize that the tv show Big Love is pretend, right?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:difference between mormons and mainstream christianity is that everything in the old testament that can be factually vetted has been proven to be true. historians accept the basic scenario - only question is the miracles and the resurrection.
.

Totally false. Everything in the old testament has been disputed by historians. It depends on which historian you believe.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:difference between mormons and mainstream christianity is that everything in the old testament that can be factually vetted has been proven to be true. historians accept the basic scenario - only question is the miracles and the resurrection.

all of the facts in the book of mormon, however, have been proven to be false. the lost tribe of israel, the archaeology, etc. it is fantasy.

as for the miracles - the jesus miracles took place 2,000 years ago, so it is hard to know either way. Joseph Smith was 150 years ago and a convicted felon for fraud before he get started.

lastly, almost EVERY religion was started by someone who was in it for the money or the chicks. Christianity is one of the few that was not.

Not L. Ron. He really is a 3,000 year old Super-Thetan. And Jesus was bi, obviously.