Certain people can't ever get it right

[Doctor CamNC4Me]

I expect all of Chap's questions to be ignored, with the exception of maybe one, that'll just be used as a rhetorical device so MG can bare his testimony.

Actually. I won't know how he answers, because I put that dumb idiot on Ignore. If he ever gets around to actually answering questions, not outright lying (the whole 'his god doesn't promote or endorse slavery' was the last straw for me), and making his case in good faith I'll reconsider. Otherwise, y'all have fun with Mr. Morgboto.

- Doc

[Philo Sofee]

MG
I’ve made the point multiple times that, in my view, there are a lot of folks that have a hard time with Mormonism and all that it entails because their views are either distorted or restricted.

You continue to miss the singular most important reason. That reason is so many folks have a hard time with Mormonism because their views have become so well informed. You continue to labor under an illusion of binary thinking that it is because those who disagree are either sinners or ignoramuses. Neither are the only option.

[Morley]

So in your world of MG psychology, people are born as binary thinkers, and "various" people move into "nuanced" thinking. For instance, you have moved into nuanced thinking. However, if a person has a hard time with Mormonism and all that it entails, then that is proof that said person never made the jump to nuance?

Do I have that right?

And if they were once Mormons who sincerely believed and were full of nuance, when they fell away from the church the nuance left them and they became stricken with binary.

[mentalgymnast]

...why does [MG] need a deity in order to start teaching "principles of good behavior and loving other people and creations of this earth"?

OK. I said I’d come back to this thread if someone said/asked something outrageously dumb. And this is a dumb question.

Answer? I don’t. But it doesn’t hurt. It only helps.

You see, I know quite a few people concerned to act on and propagate the kind of principles referred to by MG...

As do I.

...and they don't seem to feel this need to tell people they are speaking on behalf of a third party whose nature and very existence many will find problematic.

One would think. I can’t remember the last time I did.

Why do you feel the need for a deity to enable you to teach "principles of good behavior and loving other people and creations of this earth"?

Western societies have endured thus far in peace and without internal dissolution because of a foundation of Judaeo Christian principles. You and most of the people you associate with are the beneficiaries. Most of us practice ethical behavior because of the historical foundation we rest on. Even in a place like Russia you will find a large segment of society acting in accordance with Judaeo Christian principles because of their Christian heritage. In the Far East and other Asian cultures we have the influence of sages influenced by the moral and ethical teachings spawned by the Axial Age.

Unfortunately we have the ‘bad players’ that have come along throughout history and had profound influence on the actions and beliefs of many people to their detriment. As we do today. Over time and generationally will these bad players influence and overtake the foundational principles of moral/ethical behavior and thought that western societies have heretofore been built upon? Time will tell. But I am concerned. Especially with the increase of those who are a ‘light unto themselves’.

Many here, along a spectrum of course, would fall into that category, I’m afraid.

MANY people have been influenced either directly or indirectly by the influence of those that worshipped deities by which they were then given certain commandments to live by. Do these folks, including me, make it a habit to make reference to ‘third parties’ when encouraging others to live well and do good?

Of course not.

Regards,
MG

[mentalgymnast]

So in your world of MG psychology, people are born as binary thinkers, and "various" people move into "nuanced" thinking. For instance, you have moved into nuanced thinking. However, if a person has a hard time with Mormonism and all that it entails, then that is proof that said person never made the jump to nuance?

Do I have that right?

And if they were once Mormons who sincerely believed and were full of nuance, when they fell away from the church the nuance left them and they became stricken with binary.

Not sure what you mean by being full of nuance. Nuance is a way of looking at the world through a non-binary way. But you can’t just fill yourself up with it. It actually takes a significant amount of time and work. It’s not like going to a gas (nuance) station and saying, “Filler up!”

I have absolutely no idea whether or not you developed the ability to look at things in a more nuanced fashion before your disaffection. I can only go with what I see you write in this forum.

Regards,
MG

[mentalgymnast]

So in your world of MG psychology, people are born as binary thinkers, and "various" people move into "nuanced" thinking. For instance, you have moved into nuanced thinking. However, if a person has a hard time with Mormonism and all that it entails, then that is proof that said person never made the jump to nuance?

Do I have that right?

I would be more comfortable referring to Fowler’s Stages of Faith. I can tell you that I am a stage 4-5. I think there are too many people that ‘jump ship’ on religion/God and the LDS Church without having been able to move beyond 2-3.

http://psychologycharts.com/james-fowle ... faith.html

Regards,
MG

[mentalgymnast]

I expect all of Chap's questions to be ignored...so MG can bare his testimony.

If he ever gets around to actually answering questions, not outright lying (the whole 'his god doesn't promote or endorse slavery' was the last straw for me)...

- Doc

Sorry to disappoint. No testimony bearing today. And no, I don’t think God endorses slavery. I’m not sure why this would even be controversial.

God is good.

Regards,
MG

[Morley]

I have absolutely no idea whether or not you developed the ability to look at things in a more nuanced fashion before your disaffection. I can only go with what I see you write in this forum.

Ha!

The difference, MG, is that I'm not complaining about how others see me. You were.

[Lem]

Ha!

The difference, MG, is that I'm not complaining about how others see me. You were.

I suspect some have always been 'stricken with binary.'

[Morley]

Ha!

The difference, MG, is that I'm not complaining about how others see me. You were.

I suspect some have always been 'stricken with binary.'

I know. It was completely lost on him.