Fantasy Mormon Church

[_Meadowchik]

In my ideal church, no one has divine authority. People share spiritual experiences, insight, and real support, and there's always room for skepticism.

no church bears skepticism.

don't you believe? then quote one, please...

here is something saying about skepticism:
"Driven to despair by his fruitless attempts to understand the Universe, the sage Devadasa finally announced in exasperation:
ALL STATEMENTS THAT CONTAIN THE WORD GOD ARE FALSE.
Instantly, his least-favourite disciple Somasiri replied "The sentence I am now speaking contains the word God. I fail to see, Oh Noble Master, how that simple statement can be false."
Devadasa considered the matter for several Poyas. Then he answered, this time with apparent satisfaction:
ONLY STATEMENTS THAT DO NOT CONTAIN THE WORD GOD CAN BE TRUE.
After a pause barely sufficient for a starving mongoose to swallow a millet seed, Somasiri replied: "If this statement applies to itself; Oh Venerable One, it cannot be true, because it contains the word God. But if it is not true... -"
At this point, Devadasa broke his begging-bowl upon Somasiri's head, and should therefore be honoured as the true founder of Zen.

(From a fragment of the Culavamsa, as yet undiscovered)"

No church bears skepticism? Really? Have you heard of the Quakers? Unitarian Universalists? Even then, just because something does not exist now, does not mean it cannot.

Regarding your Devadasa anecdotes, there is a difference between "Thus Saith The Lord..." statements and "I believe..." statements.

[_Kishkumen]

How did you manage that as a missionary?

On occasion I and my companion would pop into a church meeting. Sometimes our investigators invited us to go. Sometimes I just felt inspired to drop into a congregation. Once we sang "I am a Child of God" at the invitation of the pastor. Those were interesting times.

[_Kishkumen]

Thai iced coffee could be substituted after dinner.

That sounds delicious!

[_Kishkumen]

In my ideal church, no one has divine authority. People share spiritual experiences, insight, and real support, and there's always room for skepticism.

I look at it this way: priesthood is about offering and serving. If all adults have it, and there is no hierarchy, then there is no divine authority as conceived in the LDS Church now.

Great ideas for a Fantasy Mormon Church.

On the subject of skepticism, it's crucial for mature thought. In my view, no one should ever feel they have arrived at the absolute truth. If they feel they have, then they do not understand the human condition.

[_Choyo Chagas]

Regarding your Devadasa anecdotes, there is a difference between "Thus Saith The Lord..." statements and "I believe..." statements.

1. devadasa didn't say 'i believe'.
he used indicative mood, as always.

2. i am always serious... but that anecdote is a joke, eve without mark

3. What does Devadasa mean?
follow the link : https://www.babynamespedia.com/a/wc/mea ... dasa.M.jpg ; the image is too wide to show here
[ 4 syll. de-va-da-sa, dev-ad-asa ] The baby boy name Devadasa is pronounced D-EYVaa-D-AH-SHaa †. Devadasa's language of origin is Sanskrit and it is predominantly used in Indian.

The meaning of Devadasa is 'slave of the gods'. As such, he can repeat only words of god. any god. Then here is the

[_Stem]

I get excited by all of these ideas and at the risk of being repetitive to them, I'll just say I agree. For some reason I'm still hanging on to Church wit some hope that some of what is discussed in this thread will come out, soon, quickly. Then I go to church and realize it ain't happening. The next week, I rinse and repeat. The frustration and pain helps me somehow.

[_Fence Sitter]

We would stop spending billions on the purported spiritual needs of the dead, and instead spend that money on those who are still alive and whose needs, spiritual or otherwise are right in front of us.

[_SteelHead]

We would stop spending billions on the purported spiritual needs of the dead, and instead spend that money on those who are still alive and whose needs, spiritual or otherwise are right in front of us.

Fence ftw.

[_Craig Paxton]

One of the greatest surprises to me as I look back over the years of my non-participation in the church, going on 15 years now, is just how much I DON'T miss the Mormon Church, not even a little, nothing, nada, zero. I don't need some made up Fantasy Mormon Church that will never exist...(kind of like a fantasy football team that on paper is perfect but is just fantasy in reality) because I am a member of my very own perfect "real" non-church. One of my own making. And the best part is that this non church bends and moves to my own personal wishes, desires and whims. It allows me to golf on Sundays if that is my desire, it has no boring meetings that I have to attend, I don't have to interact with anyone that I don't want to interact with, it has no dietary limitations built on the false premises of an 1830's abstinence movement and the best part I don't have to answer to anyone but the dictates of my own conscience, no temple recommend questions, not even one.

If Mormon's actually knew how amazing life could be without their church dictating and exercising control over every aspect of their lives...they would leave in droves.

[_candygal]

I could join a church that says...we make no promises. When someone is sick and asks for healing help...there are no promises..but we are here to help with love and support. It is what it is..

I could join a church that simply asks.."what do YOU think"???