DiscussMormonism.com

Given the definitions stated below, where do you think Mormonism fits in your world view? If you happen to be more on the fantasy side of the scale, do you believe it can have a positive effect on you and yours? Do you believe fantasy (in general) is potentially beneficial? I, for one, do believe this. I think fantasy has wonderful application in marriage, in playing with children, and in exploring new ideas. I think fantasy is healthy as long as you can differentiate the fantasy from reality.

So, is it a lie if you try to convince someone that a fantasy is reality? I think yes indeed this is a lie and can cause harm to the recipient. So, given a belief that religion is made up of fantasy, how do you approach the subject? Do you treat it like a game (sim. to Santa Claus) or do you take it seriously? Do you cause other people (i.e. children) to develop an undefined boundary between your reality and your fantasy? Are you ever afraid to toy with fantasy for fear of confusing yourself or others?

Thank you for your thoughts! Zee.

A Fantasy

–noun
1. imagination, especially when extravagant and unrestrained.
2. the forming of mental images, especially wondrous or strange fancies; imaginative conceptualizing.
3. a mental image, especially when unreal or fantastic; vision: a nightmare fantasy.

A Lie
–noun
1. a false statement made with deliberate intent to deceive; an intentional untruth; a falsehood.
2. something intended or serving to convey a false impression; imposture: His flashy car was a lie that deceived no one.
3. an inaccurate or false statement.

source: Dictionary.com

The ambiguous "the Church is true" seems to be replaced by "the Church is not true" by many.

I don't' know, what would you even mean by saying a Church is a lie or is fantasy? I mean real people practice Mormonism.

The church contains lies and fantasy and truths.

Those are excellent points Zee.

The over $100,000 of real money I gave to the church in the past 35 years is a sober comparison to what my family and I received in return.

I find it fascinating that people would continue to invest in things that require suspending reality - whether it be a lie, fantasy or even mingled with truth.

I'm not sure I see it in a lie or a fantasy.

I see that Joseph created a church, filled it full of stolen material, and then used it to gain power, have sex and get money.

Brigham capitalized after Joseph died by bringing an entire group into isolation.

Now the church has been replaced by a corporation and correlation.

So lies and fantasy? I would lend more towards fantasy. The corporation sells eternal life for just 10% of your income and all of your obedience. If anything, they are selling a fantasy.

Zee, do you have proof that the LDS church is a lie? I don't think so. Do you have proof that it is a fantasy? I don't think so. But of course, you need to think it is all a lie and a fantasy. But where is the proof?

Infymus wrote:
So lies and fantasy? I would lend more towards fantasy. The corporation sells eternal life for just 10% of your income and all of your obedience. If anything, they are selling a fantasy.

The only problem with this is: the leaders of the LDS church believe that the church is true. And if this is the case, who exactly is selling eternal life? And who is selling a fantasy? The leaders who also believe that the church is true? If so, they would be selling truth.

why me wrote:

Infymus wrote:
So lies and fantasy? I would lend more towards fantasy. The corporation sells eternal life for just 10% of your income and all of your obedience. If anything, they are selling a fantasy.

The only problem with this is: the leaders of the LDS church believe that the church is true. And if this is the case, who exactly is selling eternal life? And who is selling a fantasy? The leaders who also believe that the church is true? If so, they would be selling truth.

Believing a fantasy doesn't make it true.

why me wrote:

Infymus wrote:
So lies and fantasy? I would lend more towards fantasy. The corporation sells eternal life for just 10% of your income and all of your obedience. If anything, they are selling a fantasy.

The only problem with this is: the leaders of the LDS church believe that the church is true. And if this is the case, who exactly is selling eternal life? And who is selling a fantasy? The leaders who also believe that the church is true? If so, they would be selling truth.

How do you know the leaders believe the church is true? Everything passes through correlation, attorneys and handlers. Anything concerning revelation or "seeing Jesus", et all is passed over as being "too sacred to talk about". I've got several examples from Steve Benson noting apostles as really not knowing, but simply testifying.

The FP isolates themselves far away from the rank and file member.

just me wrote:
Believing a fantasy doesn't make it true.

And believing truth is a fantasy doen't make it a fantasy. Now it would be great if the LDS church was proving false. Then, people would have a great excuse to be hurt, depressed, feel cheated, etc. But until that time, the LDS truth claim still stands.