Is the Great and Spacious Building story anti-Christian?

[_sock puppet]

Does it instill an air of superiority, selectness, blessedness in the 'righteous' that then look derisively at the mockers rather than turn the other cheek and be charitable towards the mockers?

[_lemuel]

Human nature seems to seek out a reason to believe that I am better than others.

In a setting of religions that I believe to be true in the past or present--

Ancient Jews were very impressed that they were a chosen people, so much better than the idolatrous heathens around them.

Early Christians were very impressed that they were a chosen people, so much better than the Jews that rejected their god.

Protestants were very impressed that they were not ruled by popes and priests.

Mormons are very impressed that they are a chosen people, and have the secure thought that our religion will never stray, unlike all the previous dispensations.

And when God moves on from the Mormons, whoever is next in line for true religion will believe they won't repeat the mistakes of the Mormons.


Of course, unbelievers, who aren't duped by fables, aren't exempt from this type of thinking either.

[Guest]

The great and spacious building metaphor seems to be about 19th century mote-beamism and/or paranoia to me.

[_Ceeboo]

Hey SP!

I'm not sure that I would consider this anti-Christian (perhaps it is?)

Clearly, however, it is yet another example of division. Encouraged division. Supported division. Taught division.

Just like many other things that can be clearly found (and clearly are found, in my opinion) splattered all over the teachings and practices of 'religions' in this world- this is but one example of how a particular religion creates the space - by design and with intent - for the members of their particular 'religion' to freely cast judgement upon all others who are outside of their particular 'religious walls.'

Separation is what is in play.

This goes beyond just 'righteousness' - it provides the very reason for walls to be erected within and between families and loved ones - it promotes the "us vs them" dynamic - it greatly impacts and strategically directs where loyalties should be cemented and it forces people to make loyalty choices.

by the way - I read the other thread that MG authored about this topic. I did not comment in that thread as I personally found the entire OP to be bizarre.

Peace,
Ceeboo

[_sock puppet]

Hey SP!

I'm not sure that I would consider this anti-Christian (perhaps it is?)

Clearly, however, it is yet another example of division. Encouraged division. Supported division. Taught division.

Just like many other things that can be clearly found (and clearly are found, in my opinion) splattered all over the teachings and practices of 'religions' in this world- this is but one example of how a particular religion creates the space - by design and with intent - for the members of their particular 'religion' to freely cast judgement upon all others who are outside of their particular 'religious walls.'

Separation is what is in play.

This goes beyond just 'righteousness' - it provides the very reason for walls to be erected within and between families and loved ones - it promotes the "us vs them" dynamic - it greatly impacts and strategically directs where loyalties should be cemented and it forces people to make loyalty choices.

by the way - I read the other thread that MG authored about this topic. I did not comment in that thread as I personally found the entire OP to be bizarre.

Peace,
Ceeboo

Thanks for your comments (Ceeboo, and others upthread). I also think that this type of separation that is facilitated by the Great and Spacious Building story encourages the Mormon believers to look forward to and relish the thought of a day that those in the building will be punished. It hardly comports with the second great commandment from the New Testament that men and women love their neighbors as they do themselves. I suppose that is the specific virtue of Christianity I had in mind.

[_cognitiveharmony]

I would say it's anti-non-mormon given it's context. It appears to be a classic cult tactic of separation. Groups grow stronger as they separate themselves. It also doubles as a misdirection tactic that we've seen used on this board and elsewhere, it allows one to take valid criticism and replace it with the label of persecution so that the merits of the criticism never need be examined. While I'm very aware that inane mocking of Mormonism exists on this board as well as many other places, this is hardly a threat to Mormonism or anyone's faith. But sadly, valid criticism is lumped together with this and dismissed in an effort to avoid the cognitive dissonance that is so uncomfortable.

[_Tator]

Does it instill an air of superiority, selectness, blessedness in the 'righteous' that then look derisively at the mockers rather than turn the other cheek and be charitable towards the mockers?

I believe the definition of "turn the other cheek" as demonstrated by the FP/privileged 12 is to "moon" their members and the rest of the world while pivoting their hips in a 180 degree circle and of course this ritual is performed on the top floor of the "spacious" Church Office Building.



PS cognitiveharmony agreed, inane mocking of Mormonism does exist on this board.