Middle way Mormons are in peril

[_Dr. Shades]

Also, how does one find out that the LDS church is not true? Has you proven it untrue? Please send me your article where you have proven the LDS church untrue.

How does one find out that the Jehovah's Witnesses' religion is not true? Have you proven it untrue? Please send me your article where you have proven the Jehovah's Witnesses' religion untrue.

[_moksha]

The LDS church couldn't care less about middle way Mormons. They have been around since the church began. However, what is a problem is if these groups organize and create divisions in the LDS church. Now that is a problem for any church and discipline would be necessary.

We had a thread about this recently. It involved Elder Burton's Great Grandfather, a fort and several cannon balls.

[_just me]

I think it is way easier to be a Mormon today than it was, oh, say 160-130 years ago. But, maybe that is just me. ;)

It may be a little safer. But the LDS church was not that much out of step with the puritan moral codes that always defined the USA, especially at the beginning of the 20th century. And the media barrage of temptations were not present.

Work, time and belief define the LDS way of life. Not many these days have the time to commit to such a life. Not to mention the 10 percent and the fast offering.

It's almost like you live in an alternate reality. The polygamy years were WAY, WAY outside the cultural norms for America. Wow.

I have never in my life had any difficulty devoting my time, talent, money and material goods to the church. It was never, ever hard for me. I still spend my own personal time choosing to volunteer for the church in addition to attending the 3 hours on Sunday.

Not everyone leaves because they don't like the time commitment.

[_the narrator]

snip

Hey Nomad, I took the time to respond to your silly allegations and questions on that other thread. When are you going to get back to me?

I couldn't help but notice that you more or less ran away from the ressponses that I posed to you.

I wonder why that is?

Did you sense danger down that road?

[_Buffalo]

I just saw this post on StayLDS (referred to it by John Dehlin). There is a group of "middle way" Mormons in the Logan area who LDS considers to be a threat to the church.

http://www.staylds.com/forum/viewtopic. ... 309#p30309

Is the church going to start cracking down on NOMs and cafeteria Mormons?

Why am I reminded of the days in my history class when we learned about Stalin?

Oh dear. Another bad judgment call. This one will bite them in the ass.

[_Buffalo]

But as The Nehor implies, what you absolutely cannot do is to get together with other people of similar mind within the CoJCoLDS to discuss such unorthodox views and express your common interest. Do that, and discipline will come thwack down on your head. The only permitted forms of sociability and identity are those set up and controlled by the CoJCoLDS.

Do we know of any mainstream Christian groups (as opposed to groups like the Jehovah's Witnesses, who might reasonably be characterized as cults) who practice a discipline that tight, and that rapidly triggered? Most mainstream churches will expel or discipline members if you push them far enough, and persistently enough, but it does seem as though the CoJCoLDS is way ahead of the pack.

Why is this?

Because the LDS church was a cult for much of its history, and still retains some cult-like practices today. They won't be doing this sort of thing a hundred years from now.

[_Buffalo]

18%? Oh boy...we're really doing poorly if that's the case. In all the areas I've lived in I don't think I've seen any particular ward that low. Some have to be down below 5% to arrive at such an average it seems.

I'm sure the huge number of "baseball" and similar baptisms throughout the years has had a negative effect on the overall activity statistic.

[_Themis]

But you are missing something that is a little important. Time. The LDS church does take up a lot of time for many people and for many people this time factor can be a problem. Not just time is involved, but work also.

You have got to be kidding me. I don't know anyone who left due to time. LOL Most active members will usually just not do the time if they are pressed. It's nice to see you agree with Kevin on the other points.

As far as a charade, I doubt it. First, a charade as not been proven. Now if one wants to say that it is all garbage, well, that is an opinion and one is free to have it.

Show me how, this charade has not been proven, is any more then just your opinion then others whose opinions is that it has been proven a charade. Until then I can only accept that it is just the opinion of some. At least I can show the evidence. :)

Second, another factor is tithing. If one is not such a committed member, this 10 percent can become a problem.

Can you show anyone who has left becuase they couldn't or didn't want to pay tithing. I know many who didn't pay tithing, but none that left church.

The LDS church is more than a religious choice. It is also a lifestyle choice with many commitments.

My self and so many others had no problems with it. I know many when I was young who stopped going, but not really becuase they couldn't keep the lifestyle, but becuase they didn't want to. Why should they when they can usually figure out it's not for them. It doesn't mean they failed in any way.

It is not easy to be a Mormon these days.

You mean to be an active Mormon. Something you are not, but for many of us it really was not hard. It's actaully harder to not be a Mormon.

Also, how does one find out that the LDS church is not true?

Easy. Just open your eyes, recognize your bias so as to control it better and look at all the evidence available.

Has you proven it untrue? Please send me your article where you have proven the LDS church untrue. For someone to claim that the LDS church is a matter of opinion. Nothing more.

There are plenty of sites available. Heck some of the best ones are fair and farms. Pick a subject and see who can actually show the evidence. Your opinion that the church has not been proven false is just an opinion with no substance.

[_Themis]

18%? Oh boy...we're really doing poorly if that's the case. In all the areas I've lived in I don't think I've seen any particular ward that low. Some have to be down below 5% to arrive at such an average it seems.

I'm sure the huge number of "baseball" and similar baptisms throughout the years has had a negative effect on the overall activity statistic.

I don't know about 18%, although I am sure they are many outside of the areas where the church tends to be well developed. I have noticed that the number of people per ward and stake have been rising for a number of years indicating a growing percentage of inactive members.