Too TBM

[_Polygamy-Porter]

No. I am questioning her premises and understandings.

If you want to talk about Mother Theresa and Catholic stuff, and "universal love" and all that kind of thing, I doubt most here would have a problem with that. It's the unctuous lecturing about living Mormonism, while you don't, that gets in craws. Maybe you need a William Schryver to wake you up like he woke me up. Since that day I spat Mormonism out of my mouth.

+1

I remember all of the crap I used to give you Ray for being non member defender of LDS Inc.

[_Ray A]

I remember all of the s*** I used to give you Ray for being non member defender of LDS Inc.

So do I, and you were right. I was a hypocrite.

[_ludwigm]

I've never heard of Catholics being taught to avoid anything about their religion not published by the Vatican.

Index, in the Roman Catholic Church, list of publications forbidden to be read, called Index librorum prohibitorum [list of forbidden books]. This censorship was exercised by the Holy See. Catholics are forbidden, as a natural part of ethics, to read anything they know may endanger their faith or moral life; the Index was a partial guide to such literature. Since it was made up only from decisions referred for judgment on specific works, there was no consistency of inclusion; the failure of a book to appear in it implied nothing. The last edition of the Index was published in 1948.In 1966 the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith (formerly, the Holy Office) announced that the Index and its related penalties of excommunication would no longer have the force of law in the church.

In the 50's, when I was 12 or 13, I did read all available works of Zola, because they were on index. By writer, not by title.

At that time, I was on the path to become inactive as roman catholic. Zola had no role in it.

[_harmony]

Most Mormons today are just living life with all its complications and trials and blessings.

I find this to be true. There is a high level of trust in the leaders, and a very rudimentary understanding of church history (all of which has been spoon fed during seminary and institute classes). For virtually all members of my ward and family, the idea of seeking a deeper understanding is unheard of, because in order to seek that deeper understanding, one must allow the idea that the church might not be true to exist, and few if any members of my ward or family are willing to allow that.

[_Buffalo]

Well, I haven't seen a religion yet that encourages its members to read non faith promoting material about their church. Most would advise not to read literature that may be harmful for their soul.

I haven't seen or heard of any methodist or lutheran preachers advising their flock to read anti material. Nor any other protestant pasters giving such advise. But maybe I have missed something somewhere.

A great reason why religious practitioners aren't trustworthy.

[_bcspace]

A great reason why religious practitioners aren't trustworthy.

Neither are atheists by the same logic as not many of them are into reading religious works.

[_Rambo]

Neither are atheists by the same logic as not many of them are into reading religious works.

I think many atheist read religious work because they were born into a religion and then they leave. It's not usually the other way round were someone is born into an atheist family and then become religious.

[_why me]

Most Mormons today are just living life with all its complications and trials and blessings.

I find this to be true. There is a high level of trust in the leaders, and a very rudimentary understanding of church history (all of which has been spoon fed during seminary and institute classes). For virtually all members of my ward and family, the idea of seeking a deeper understanding is unheard of, because in order to seek that deeper understanding, one must allow the idea that the church might not be true to exist, and few if any members of my ward or family are willing to allow that.

I don't think that it has much to do with trust. But it has much to do with the lack of free time to read good books. And who wants to read books that question their faith? If you have a baptist friend, give that friend a book that will question his or her faith and see what happens.

People have their faith and if it works for them, that is wonderful. If that faith gives them purpose...great. If their faith gives them a more deeper meaning of human understanding....great. Why would I have them question their own faith?

[_why me]

At that time, I was on the path to become inactive as roman catholic. Zola had no role in it.

I don't think that catholics were encouraged to read The Da Vinci code. I know no priest today that would encourage their flock to read anticatholic literature or books that may harm their faith.

[_why me]

I guess we just have to make some hard choices in life, why me, and really examine why we won't live it when we claim (or deceive ourselves) that we "believe it". If you can't or won't live it - then you don't believe it. And there must be reasons for that. Look into your soul, and do some serious analysis.

This is not true Ray. How many catholics believe in god and in catholicism and yet, can't live their faith? Many. Likewise for other christians. Are they hypocrites? Not if they freely admit their status and lifestyle. But this doesn't mean that they would like to see their religion trashed, mocked or bashed. Or allow people to post ideas about their faith that they find disagreement with to go unchallenged.