I'm starting this topic to "continue" a conversation started in the Christians vs. Catholics thread. I will include some of the details from there, but the rest are up to anyone new to read up on. I will specifically post the contents of one post, more or less.
We did not baptize Adolf Hitler. That is a lie. After people baptized for Obama's mother, an official release was sent out saying that unless you specifically know the person who's name you are bringing in to do temple work for (not the names that they already have) or they are in your family, you cannot do temple work for them.
We are not barred from being around ex Mormons. We do not necessarily believe they are with Satan. We excommunicate people for their good. In our views, it gives them a second chance. They can rejoin the church later, and their sins will be gone, just as they were when they were first baptized. I know many ex Mormons, and I do not get in trouble for being with them.
South Park is in no way an authority on anything. The fact that you're trying to cite that is pathetic.
Yes, there was polygamy. But it was revoked in the 1890's (even if only for legal reasons). Joseph Smith did not try to burn down a newspaper place. He was taken to jail for no real reason. If he shot back, it was only because they were shooting at him.
The reason non members are not allowed in the temple is because of the sacred things that go on in there. If just anyone was allowed in, the spirit would be disrupted. I will expound on this if needs be.
I am personally ashamed of the acts of other Latter-Day Saints who have done temple work for people without permission from relatives of that person. It is wrong, and we know it.
Tithing... It was actually in Christ's day when it started. The only reason it affects our worthiness to enter the temple (not our standing in general). The Lord gave us everything we have, and all he asks is 10% of what we earn. I'd say that's a pretty small price for life, liberty, and happiness.
Also, we believe in Agency and Accountability. You can choose to do what you want, but you will have to accept the consequences.
I have a testimony of Jesus Christ. He is my savior and my redeemer. I believe that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God, and that Thomas S. Monson is the living prophet today. I believe the Bible to be true as far as it is correctly translated. I know that through the Atonement of Jesus Christ, we can be forgiven for our sins and return to live with our Heavenly Father. I have seen the Atonement in action in my life. I know that God listens to all prayers to him. He answers them in his own way. I know that I can make it to the Celestial Kingdom if I but do my best to keep the commandments of God.
I have said this in many different ways before; I've even tried to get you to find it yourself. I'm going to say it plain and simple now. God does not hate you because you are gay. He does not hate you at all. He is sad that you have made the choice to engage in homosexual activities, and you would know that if you would but read what I've given you.
I understand better than ever before how Christians are often portrayed as being self-riteous.
This is not related to the articles - you are claiming to know the will of God. Isn't this a bit presumptuous?
I just realized I forgot to expound a bit in answer to Einfach.
If Proposition 8 hadn't passed, it would have given gays the ability per se to force anyone with the authority to marry them. That is mostly what we were against, because Prop 8 not passing would mean that even religious clergy would have to marry them, no matter how immoral it was in that religion.
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Catholics also stood against gay marriage, and yet NONE of the criticism has ever been on them. The only target of any criticism about it has been the LDS church, and only because it's an easy target already.
I can't change people's views. I can only present the facts. You can choose to believe them or not. But until you accept that much of the hatred toward our religion is unjust, we will never stand on equal ground. Let me say that a topic like "Catholicism" would not have drawn so much venom in a year as this topic has drawn in 16 days.
I can't change people's views. I can only present the facts. You can choose to believe them or not. But until you accept that much of the hatred toward our religion is unjust, we will never stand on equal ground. Let me say that a topic like "Catholicism" would not have drawn so much venom in a year as this topic has drawn in 16 days.
Don't get me wrong - I don't hate your religion.
Catholics also stood against gay marriage, and yet NONE of the criticism has ever been on them. The only target of any criticism about it has been the LDS church, and only because it's an easy target already.
This is not the issue. Either you're right or you're wrong. The fact that Catholics believe the same thing does not make it any "less" wrong or "more" right.
I can confidently say that that is the will of God because of what I know. He does not hate any of his children for their sins. He loves all his children, and is saddened when they commit wrongdoings. The same goes for gays.
It does have to do with the articles. It just depends on how you look at it.
If Proposition 8 hadn't passed, it would have given gays the ability per se to force anyone with the authority to marry them. That is mostly what we were against, because Prop 8 not passing would mean that even religious clergy would have to marry them, no matter how immoral it was in that religion.
Ooooooops...completely missed this - After Prop. 8, I kinda ignored it (I'm not into real-life examples). But now that I read it, if it is true, then I see where you're coming from. But I'd like you to state clearly whether you believe that gay marriage should be legal or not.
I'm not necessarily talking about you in that paragraph, Einfach. In a general sense, that paragraph would be true. As for the second one, I know it doesn't make anything more right or wrong. It just kind of went along with the first paragraph you quoted.
o.O That above answer (^ right there) was confusing because the two paragraphs were originally in reverse order.
Ah linktopast I wonder if you think the same about the hate if you had seen some parts of the "Christians vs Atheists". Just to make my topic relevant I wonder do you have any statistics on mormon numbers throughout the world?
I'm going to contend that nothing ever "depends" how you look at it. There is only one truth - and if it is either A or B (either meaning they can't be both right because one side implies the other side is wrong, and one must be right), then one side must be right, and the other fallacious whatever logical way you look at it.
o.O That above answer (^ right there) was confusing because the two paragraphs were originally in reverse order.
Sorry - I usually try to keep things in chronological order, but, you know, I made a mistake.
*pants* Ok, now that it looks like there's a pause in the posting.
On whether gay marriage should be legal or not, I'm going to say it shouldn't necessarily be illegal. I hesitate to say it any other way because doing so would imply things that aren't meant. This way of saying it still has things like that, but much less so. I think it's up to the person, as long as it doesn't infringe on the rights of others.
its telling me that i can purchase slaves.. as long as they arent from my country... it doesnt say anything about this being right or wrong.. and besides.. do you know any christians that live like leviticus tells them? because i sure dont
