mentalgymnast wrote: I'm getting rather tired of hearing some of the self-proclaimed "thinkers" throw the tired old argument around that a majority of church members are non-thinking automatons that simply want to be told everything to do.
Well, I'm not a "thinker" (just ask Coggins) but this interests me.
Even when what they're being told what to do is hard.
What is difficult that they're being directed to do?
Sacrifice of time, talents, and everything that the Lord has blessed us with, to the building up the kingdom of God on earth. You can break it down to the incrementals.
Easy? Not always. I assume you've been there?
The church requires a good deal more sacrifice of the rank and file than many/most other religious institutions. You can find exceptions, sure. My point is, however, that why would a automaton, non-thinking sheep of a member keep on keeping on with the sacrificial/difficult life of being a member of the LDS church?
Are they THAT stupid?
Regards, MG
I guess that's a question that only those who qualify can answer.
"What does God need with a starship?" - Captain James T. Kirk
Most people would like to be delivered from temptation but would like it to keep in touch. - Robert Orben
This "listing" of all the things Mormons are "supposed" to do is silly.
Its like having someone memorize all the parts of the law of Moses. that's not the point of the gospel. If you are attending church, saying your prayers, and readign the scriptures/ and or words of the prophets and apostles, all of these things take care of themselves. Its a culture!!
Do we run through lists to say what it means to be Japanese?
Once you have the Holy Ghost, the rest takes care of itself. Like Nehor says, everyone can apply alot of these things as needed. We all have our own spiritual gifts, and we will fill in where we are needed as we are needed.
We can easily forgive a child who is afraid of the dark; the real tragedy of life is when men are afraid of the light. - Plato
Tide wrote:I've just discovered what the term "NOM" is that you guys have been using here (Hey! I'm new here!). That would fit me pretty perfectly. Definition from the newordermormons.com website:
Quote: ...no longer believe some (or much) of the dogma or doctrines of the LDS Church, but who want to maintain membership for cultural, social, or even spiritual reasons. New Order Mormons recognize both good and bad in the Church, and have determined that the Church does not have to be perfect in order to remain useful...
Welcome to the board, Tide! by the way, I fit into this category as well. ;)
I think there are more "NOMs" than most realize -- including the NOMs themselves! Since leaving the church, when I meet up with old acquaintences and the subject comes up, I will tell them I no longer believe.
BY FAR THE MAJORITY OF THE TIME, THEY WILL SAY THEY DON'T BELIEVE EITHER, BUT STILL ATTEND TO KEEP THE PEACE.
Now I know many will simply say what they think I would want them to say, so it's by no means statistically significant, but I think it is quite telling. I would like to do an accurate survey of the level of belief of LDS members. I really think that if they each knew that nobody would know their answer, the conviction levels would be quite low.