The thing is, God the Father is God the Father...to us. Functionally, He is God.
Thanks, MG. I know this explanation. I don’t find it satisfying. Speaking for myself.
The idea that there is an "endless patriarchal chain" seems to point towards a God that is willing to share what He has rather than hoarding it. The classical theism of God seems to be almost too abstract. Difficult to even wrap your mind around at all.
Abstraction and lofty thoughts that are difficult to comprehend seem to fit the idea of a supreme deity, in my opinion. I don’t reject the idea of progression or lower levels of divinities, but I don’t think the anthropo-deity of Mormonism fits the bill for the supreme deity.
"He disturbs the laws of his country, he forces himself upon women, and he puts men to death without trial.” ~Otanes on the monarch, Herodotus Histories 3.80.
I only thought Peterson said that his beliefs could not have valid objections because they were true. That isn’t a crazy claim. Nothing which is true can have a valid disproof, so believing that something is true necessarily means believing that it can’t be disproven.
I don’t blame Peterson for stating this obvious point, even though it could go without saying. If he wants to concede that some critique of Mormonism isn’t just totally stupid, then it’s fair enough to remind his faithful readers that he still isn’t admitting defeat.
He spent a thousand words essentially expressing a tautology.
The issue of course is the reasoning behind holding the beliefs that he does, so it doesn’t really mean much in my opinion.
I could have a real visceral delusion that Elvis was standing in front of me. I could choose to create a religion around it, or I could think I might be under some sort of delusion.
I don’t think it’s a tautology. It’s a formally valid proof. But its major premise is a doozy.
he/him
“I prefer peace. But if trouble must come, let it come in my time so that my children can live in peace.” — Thomas Paine
Is DCP asserting that the church is true as an axiom? Or is he saying that he believes the church is true, and until such time as he stops believing it, he will believe that there can be no evidence the church is false?
It seems like he is leaving the door open for something that could potentially upend his faith, like Jesus coming down on a cloud and telling him Catholicism is true. Surely he is open minded enough that something exists which could change his mind.
Abstraction and lofty thoughts that are difficult to comprehend seem to fit the idea of a supreme deity, in my opinion.
I'd like to know why you prefer this over a God who is recognizable and relatable to even the 'least of these, my brethren'. Abstraction and "lofty thoughts" aren't available to everyone.
Abstraction and lofty thoughts that are difficult to comprehend seem to fit the idea of a supreme deity, in my opinion.
I'd like to know why you prefer this over a God who is recognizable and relatable to even the 'least of these, my brethren'. Abstraction and "lofty thoughts" aren't available to everyone.
Regards,
MG
Also, if these abstractions and lofty thoughts are difficult to comprehend, I would ask the question, parallel to the first...why isn't God able to make Himself known, at least in some detail, as to what His attributes/purposes are? Why would He remain hidden for all time? It seems to me like He would at least make an effort to reveal His true nature now and then.
I'd like to know why you prefer this over a God who is recognizable and relatable to even the 'least of these, my brethren'. Abstraction and "lofty thoughts" aren't available to everyone.
Regards,
MG
I thought that the incarnation of Christ filled this purpose.
"He disturbs the laws of his country, he forces himself upon women, and he puts men to death without trial.” ~Otanes on the monarch, Herodotus Histories 3.80.
Also, if these abstractions and lofty thoughts are difficult to comprehend, I would ask the question, parallel to the first...why isn't God able to make Himself known, at least in some detail, as to what His attributes/purposes are? Why would He remain hidden for all time? It seems to me like He would at least make an effort to reveal His true nature now and then.
Maybe not?
Regards,
MG
That’s a good point. I’m not a Mormon and never have been, so my question is, does that happen now in the LDS Church? When was the last time a leader of the LDS Church, either at the most senior levels or on a local level, expounded on the attributes and purpose of God? This is a sincere question, I honestly don’t know that answer.
For me, that raises a parallel to Joseph Smith’s own question of which church to join. If no prophet since him has fulfilled that revelatory role in a way that truly clarifies God’s nature and attributes, the opening of the heavens as a reason to join the fold, or rejoin as the case may be, falls short.
“A clueless SeN commenter” wrote: Hi Dan, just wanted to say thank you for writing these daily blog posts! I always look forward to reading them. Some of the links and quotes you provide are excellent resources to think about and study. Sometimes I can feel a bit discouraged when I think about all the hostility towards the Church online (and the blatant lies and misinformation that many people spread on social media). Frankly, I find myself just focusing on the scriptures, the words of the Brethern, official church content, and the great writers of all time (Shakespeare, Goethe, Homer, Dickens, etc) and ignoring everything else.
But it is good to know that there so many good and faithful Saints in this world. Not too sure where I am going with this, but I appreciate your posts and I always enjoy reading the comments from others as well. I often think of Eliza R. Snow's words, "None but saints can be happy under every circumstance.”
Essentially you don’t question the church. You don’t ask a lot of questions or do any searching beyond superficial levels. It’s not important that the religion makes logical sense. It’s important that you feel happy.
From that quote on Dan’s blog you can see the willful ignorance laid out. When you stop asking questions, it all feels a lot more comfortable.
