Forums → WEPR → Why Follow Religion?

They most definitely do, have you ever heard of their fancy baptizing of people who have already died? To keep them out of hell?

So basically your saying that some morons will overlook the fact that you are right because they don't like you?

No, he feels safe hiding under his bed and wearing a hat, he feels safe and protected by these.

Christianity (33%), Islam (21%), and various other major religions don't have a "hell" in those words, but you are still punished for not believing in the religion or acting they way they do by, using Hinduism (14%)as an example, being born into a lower cast or as a "lower life form". Even just going with the ones that believe in an actual hell, you still have 50% of the world believe in heaven or hell, which is definitely the majority when comparing it to other religions.

a sort of &quotrison"(but with no torture) called the Telestial kingdom, where people who were wicked in their life go.

Albert Einstein was a Jew.

Well considering my mom's side of the family are all Jehovah's Witnesses, I think I would know a bit. That's a lie.

Albert Einstein was a Jew. Ben Franklin was a devout Christian. Issac Newton and the Wright bros were also Christian. I could continue if you want.

You're thinking of Mormons, they're the ones who baptize the dead. And they don't do it to keep people out of Hell, they do it to their friends and family members so that they can be Sealed and/or go to the Celestial kingdom.

And in case you don't know, Sealing is like "tying people together". Spouses, family members, and close friends can be Sealed to each other. Everyone who has been Sealed will be together in the afterlife as well. Mormons believe in three different kingdoms of heaven: a sort of &quotrison"(but with no torture) called the Telestial kingdom, where people who were wicked in their life go.

Yes, but that doesn't make them morons. It makes them normal people. If you really want to change someone's mind, be polite. What if a telemarketer called you and started insulting you, would you buy the product they're peddling? Compared to, if a telemarketer called you and was polite, wouldn't you be more likely to buy their product?

Then sure, he can believe that.

They are widespread because they make threats. A person is more likely to join a religion if they're scared that they'll go to hell otherwise, than if it's just for making them feel better.

Nephi 14:3 And that great pit, which hath been digged for them by that great and abominable church, which was founded by the devil and his children, that he might lead away the souls of men down to hell -- yea, that great pit which hath been digged for the destruction of men shall be filled by those who digged it, unto their utter destruction, saith the Lamb of God; not the destruction of the soul, save it be the casting of it into that hell which hath no end.

"Humanity will be grouped according to their works in three main divisions: Celestial (like the sun), Telestial (like the moon), Terrestrial (like the earth). Within each group there will be many gradations and divisions, until from the lowest to the highest in all groups there will be a series of gradually ascending glories. There can be no talk of a hell, but undoubtedly the regret for lost opportunities will be keen among those in the lower degrees of glory."

Why? It is a completely insane belief.

Oh, one important caveat: Mormons believe that sons of perdition and murderers go to Outer Darkness. A son of perdition is considered the utmost sinner...it means that they do believe in God, they know the truth, but they still choose evil. The Outer Darkness is like Purgatory, not Hell, but souls who get thrown in there can never get out or be forgiven.

I don't know how you read it, but that verse says pretty definitively that churches/people who threaten others with Hell are the ones who deserve to go to Hell.

(Program of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, p. 226)
Mormons don't believe in a fire-and-brimstone Hell, they believe that a person's pain for his or her own self via their conscience, or their greed for something greater(i.e. the Celestial kingdom) is sufficient punishment.

It's insane? So because it's different, it's obviously insane right?

He can believe whatever he wants, whether he has proof for it or not.

Hes not trying to convince you, and he doesn't affect you at all. Again, HE does not affect YOU at all with his belife

So he should definitly be allowed to like it and believe it

He doesn't have a mental problem, so you shouldn't be worried.

Oh, one important caveat: Mormons believe that sons of perdition and murderers go to Outer Darkness. A son of perdition is considered the utmost sinner...it means that they do believe in God, they know the truth, but they still choose evil. The Outer Darkness is like Purgatory, not Hell, but souls who get thrown in there can never get out or be forgiven.

But sardonic comments about their beliefs will still not help them in any way.

Common courtesy.

I might think that a person's beliefs are completely ridiculous, but if they are a good person, then I would be more than happy to overlook whatever they believe in lieu of judging them by their actions and who they really are.

So basically your saying that some morons will overlook the fact that you are right because they don't like you?

But doing so is insane.

I am starting to think you are making this up. My BOM has nothing about this in it.

I see it as Joe Smith really hating Catholics.

Moroni 8:14 Behold I say unto you, that he that supposeth that little children need baptism is in the gall of bitterness and in the bonds of iniquity, for he hath neither faith, hope, nor charity; wherefore, should he be cut off while in the thought, he must go down to hell.
8:21 Wo unto such, for they are in danger of death, hell, and an endless torment. I speak it boldly; God hath commanded me. Listen unto them and give heed, or they stand against you at the judgment-seat of Christ.

Really? Lets say that there is not only one guy, but millions. These millions of guys form groups that become very influential. Of course they don't want other people's minds to succumb to alien influence, so they start spreading the word. Then a president comes into power, promising "To free us from the alien oppression". Our money eventually gets "YOU CAN'T HAVE OUR BRAIN, ALIENS!" written on it to fight them off. Is it effecting me yet?

How can you tell if it is a mental problem?

So what?

You own a Book of Mormon?
I don't appreciate being called a liar. It's in the Doctrine and Covenants.

Well, why wouldn't he? They persecuted people of other beliefs...in fact, Smith was killed by an angry mob for his religious teachings.

The Mormon hell isn't the same thing as "burning fire and endless torment". I already explained that. They believe in torment at the hands of oneself. I know it's weird, but hell is defined differently by the LDS Church than by the Catholic Church. Take a gander at Doctrine and Covenants 19:4-12. Or just look at this web page.

Mine is online, it is the same place I get my atheist bible and atheist quaran. Its an atheist BOM. Ill look more, if it makes you feel better.

I don't know, but don't you think painting them as the church of Satan a little intense for someone who supposedly actually believes it?

1 We believe in God, the Eternal Father, and in His Son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost.
2 We believe that men will be punished for their own sins, and not for Adam's transgression.
3 We believe that through the Atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel.
4 We believe that the first principles and ordinances of the Gospel are: first, Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; second, Repentance; third, Baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; fourth, Laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost.
5 We believe that a man must be called of God, by prophecy, and by the laying on of hands by those who are in authority, to preach the Gospel and administer in the ordinances thereof.
6 We believe in the same organization that existed in the Primitive Church, namely, apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, evangelists, and so forth.
7 We believe in the gift of tongues, prophecy, revelation, visions, healing, interpretation of tongues, and so forth.
8 We believe the Bible to be the word of God as far as it is translated correctly; we also believe the Book of Mormon to be the word of God.
9 We believe all that God has revealed, all that He does now reveal, and we believe that He will yet reveal many great and important things pertaining to the Kingdom of God.
10 We believe in the literal gathering of Israel and in the restoration of the Ten Tribes; that Zion (the New Jerusalem) will be built upon the American continent; that Christ will reign personally upon the earth; and, that the earth will be renewed and receive its paradisiacal glory.
11 We claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may.
12 We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law.
13 We believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in doing good to all men; indeed, we may say that we follow the admonition of Paulâ"We believe all things, we hope all things, we have endured many things, and hope to be able to endure all things. If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things.

To be honest I can't remember what this conversation was about.

A hell is a hell is a hell is a hell.

So because I'm a catholic, there are the words "in gid we trust" on our dollar bills.

Just me. How does my having religion affect you?

A mental problem belonging to over 80% of humans?