KimberlyAnn wrote:YOU believe there is a higher principle involved in someone joining Mormonism, but I'm sure stalwart Jewish parents who's son decided to become Mormon wouldn't see it that way.
Correct, which is why I try to judge it based upon what the convert thinks. If a Mormon converts to Judaism I won't hold it against him.
So it's fine to break promises made to other religions, but not fine to break the promises made to the Mormon church, even if they were made under duress?
No. If you convert to another religion I'm fine with it. I'm even fine with leaving for atheism if you truly believe it is the correct answer.
And why do you think joining your church entails some kind of higher moral principle? Why are you right and everyone else wrong?
Again, I don't mean to imply that my judgment should be the basis for what a higher principle is. I think it should be in the estimation of the individual person. That way even if they are wrong they still get the benefit of doing what they truly believe is correct. I think that is most important.
And what the hell? Do really think people suddenly decide to become gay?
No.
It is a higher moral principle to be true to one's self than to keep coerced promises made to a weird religion started by an adulterous, lying criminal!
Well, at least I think it's a higher moral principle to have a healthy sense of self-esteem. If the promises made keep from that, then perhaps it is best to break them.
I'm sure you think I should leave the church over their stance on homosexuality, but I'm doing the best I can to reconcile my understanding of ethics with the commandments as I understand them from the church. Do see a better way of remaining a faithful member but yet having a better view on this? I'm not trying to annoy you. I assure you that I do not fear homosexual marriage and granting them all the rights of a married couple. Even so, I am trying to reconcile that with my belief in the church. I am not ready to throw out belief over this issue. So again, perhaps you know someone who has a better way of reconciling them without me leaving the church and preferrably without contradicting the church's pronouncements about avoiding said behavior?
Perhaps I am wrong about keeping promises made to a group after leaving that group. I agree that I don't want people to be suicidal or depressed about those promises. Still, something seems wrong about being able to break them just because one now believes the group to be fraudlent.
Tell you what. Perhaps you can get some of the philosophical types to persuade me. Perhaps Tarski or Gadianton.