Righteous!

[_Paloma]

Good day folks!

Righteous!

I have seen this word used a ton on the boards and most of the time, when I read it in a post, I become very uneasy (Not really sure why I have this reaction)

Anyway, a few questions I'll toss out there to see where, if anywhere, this discussion might go.

What does the word righteous mean to you?

Why does it get used as often as it does on these boards?

What say you?

Peace,
Ceeboo

Hey, Ceebs, you and I may just have to stick together because as far as I know, there are no injunctions against such (vs. what may be suggested in #6 of the TR questions).

I share your discomfort with "righteous" (and with "worthy", as someone else noted).

Part of my discomfort is that whenever I've heard Mormons use those terms it's usually been with at least a touch of arrogance or disdain.

Or, in the case of "worthy", it's been thrown into sentences seemingly without disregard to how insensitive and insulting it comes across ... as in, "sorry you're not worthy to go to so and so's wedding. I know they'd love for you to be there, but you're not worthy."

My good, long-time Mormon friends wouldn't dream of using those terms with me. And I think that points to the lack of sensitivity and respect inherent in the use of the terms. It makes me sad to think that these terms are bandied about internally with LDS folk. Does that mean their judgments of each other override their thoughtfulness toward others? Of course, I'm going to look for a charitable explanation, and surmise that the judgmentalism comes from a deep desire to help others thrive and advance within the LDS faith system.

[_RockSlider]

Compare Rocks temple recommend interview questions with my assessment of worthiness and righteousness.
You decide which is of God and which is of men and of the world.

Well you see Nightlion, it's a "pre given" state where as long as one is facing the right direction then the answer (gift) comes at some future time, maybe even after death. This is lovingly referred to as the "escalator theory" of Exaltation (or righteousness in this case).

Who wants/needs to go through the hell required to be born again when one can simply get on the escalator?

[_Bazooka]

Ceeb's, here is what the Church has to say on the matter...

Righteousness, Righteous, Righteously
Faithful; Godliness; Holiness; Honest; Innocence; Integrity; Just; Obedience; Perfect; Prosper; Purity; Uprightness; TG Honesty

http://www.lds.org/scriptures/triple-in ... s?lang=eng

[_Nightlion]

Compare Rocks temple recommend interview questions with my assessment of worthiness and righteousness.
You decide which is of God and which is of men and of the world.

Well you see Nightlion, it's a "pre given" state where as long as one is facing the right direction then the answer (gift) comes at some future time, maybe even after death. This is lovingly referred to as the "escalator theory" of Exaltation (or righteousness in this case).

Who wants/needs to go through the hell required to be born again when one can simply get on the escalator?

Do you think people generally avoid taking upon them the name of Jesus Christ with full purpose of heart because they think it is just too difficult or that they refuse to admit they are clueless about how to go about it? Clueless would be absolutely difficult ya know.

Mr. Zion and The Apocalrock Visitor Center are pleased to announce we have, Jason, our first candidate whom we have accepted according to his manifest desire and shall help to bear his burden while he strives to forsake the world and come unto Christ with full purpose of heart. This does require that he take no thought for his life (he quit his job) and so we have negotiated to supplement his income a certain amount for at least two months (Jesus taught the Jews forty days and they needed 50 before they got to Pentecost) while he gives it his all. Please would all the Zion Babies who crave to see Zion arise pray his sojourn is brief and fruitful.

[_ControlFreak]

Rockslider, where'd the restoration question go? Isn't it supposed to be something like " do you believe in the restoration of the church and the priesthood, etc. in these the latter days?"

[_Sethbag]

I agree, Ceebs. Other terms that make me feel uneasy:

Spiritual giant
Strong testimony

This.

And their cousins, like "he bore a powerful testimony!" (which means he evoked an emotional response while claiming to know things he couldn't possibly know).

To me, righteous refers to someone who is fulfilling the expectations of some social framework that has set these expectations up as ways of judging people. A "righteous" LDS would be seen by other LDS to be obeying the social and moral prescriptions the LDS have established as being correct in God's view. A "righteous" JW would be observing the outward rules, reading their Bible and tracts/books/articles, doing their monthly proselyting, etc. A "righteous" social progressive not only avoids the very appearance of insensitivity to any and all social underdogs in word or apparent attitude, but also righteously exhorts anyone who says a bad word to check their privilege.

[_RockSlider]

Rockslider, where'd the restoration question go? Isn't it supposed to be something like " do you believe in the restoration of the church and the priesthood, etc. in these the latter days?"

Not sure, I lifted this from a google search ... I have not personally been asked the TR questions for over 10 years.

[_Ceeboo]

Thanks to all for the replies!

Interesting comments!

Peace,
Ceeboo

[_malkie]

Good day folks!

Righteous!

I have seen this word used a ton on the boards and most of the time, when I read it in a post, I become very uneasy (Not really sure why I have this reaction)

Anyway, a few questions I'll toss out there to see where, if anywhere, this discussion might go.

What does the word righteous mean to you?

Why does it get used as often as it does on these boards?

What say you?

Peace,
Ceeboo

Hey, Ceebs, you and I may just have to stick together because as far as I know, there are no injunctions against such (vs. what may be suggested in #6 of the TR questions).

I share your discomfort with "righteous" (and with "worthy", as someone else noted).

Part of my discomfort is that whenever I've heard Mormons use those terms it's usually been with at least a touch of arrogance or disdain.

Or, in the case of "worthy", it's been thrown into sentences seemingly without disregard to how insensitive and insulting it comes across ... as in, "sorry you're not worthy to go to so and so's wedding. I know they'd love for you to be there, but you're not worthy."

My good, long-time Mormon friends wouldn't dream of using those terms with me. And I think that points to the lack of sensitivity and respect inherent in the use of the terms. It makes me sad to think that these terms are bandied about internally with LDS folk. Does that mean their judgments of each other override their thoughtfulness toward others? Of course, I'm going to look for a charitable explanation, and surmise that the judgmentalism comes from a deep desire to help others thrive and advance within the LDS faith system.

... as in: "Thanks for waiting quietly outside while the rest of the family attended my wedding. You know we love you, dad, don't you?" We're just doing what God wants us to do.

[_Ceeboo]

Hello malkie!

Great to see you posting/sharing more of late, friend!

... as in: "Thanks for waiting quietly outside while the rest of the family attended my wedding. You know we love you, dad, don't you?" We're just doing what God wants us to do.

Heart-breaking!


Peace,
Ceeboo