I'm so glad the church spares no expense...

[_Scottie]

I posted this over at MAD too, and one thing I just can't understand is how God was able to pass the test to become a God?

If I were as cruel and gluttonous and uncaring as He is, I would NEVER be allowed into the CK, let alone get control of my own world! If I we the kind of person that would demand the absolute best materials be used in my temples, or temples at all for that matter, while there were still suffering children on my planet, I would never get into heaven. Well, ok, maybe I would. I DO know the secret handshakes.

Do you think God was always this cruel, or is the old saying as true for God as it is for humans...that absolute power corrupts absolutely? Do you think God was once a really nice guy, but became this viscous being we see now?

[_asbestosman]

I posted this over at MAD too, and one thing I just can't understand is how God was able to pass the test to become a God?

If I were as cruel and gluttonous and uncaring as He is, I would NEVER be allowed into the CK, let alone get control of my own world! If I we the kind of person that would demand the absolute best materials be used in my temples, or temples at all for that matter, while there were still suffering children on my planet, I would never get into heaven. Well, ok, maybe I would. I DO know the secret handshakes.

Do you think God was always this cruel, or is the old saying as true for God as it is for humans...that absolute power corrupts absolutely? Do you think God was once a really nice guy, but became this viscous being we see now?

Well, Satan did have a good following. I mean, why does God allow people to starve in the first place, let alone have others spend prescious resources and time building temples instead of feeding the guys He hasn't been feeding in the first place.

[_charity]

I understand that people organize and do GREAT deeds and charitable works through their Church, yet when buildings and human made constructs are more important then humans themselves it is unsettling to me. Why is this? My focus is on the lives that are in existence at this moment with the thought that there is only one chance to help a person -- and it is now. The LDS Church (as are all) is focused on saving lives for the afterlife. Would that be a fair statement? As someone that sees such suffering currently in the world I recoil from the idea of lavish buildings made to praise God when I see humanity as what needs to be praised.

I respond to Christ's message as it deals with humanity, not that which is found in his death and resurrection which I do not accept. So, perhaps I need to recall that the work of the Church is essentially that which pertains to what I reject. I forget that, at times.

I hope you are living in near poverty, with all your goods given to the poor. You have a small hut, walk to work, have one change of clothes, and eat only enough to barely sustain your body. No TV, no entertainments, no computer, nothing except the very bare necessities. With everthing else dontated to the poor. Otherwise your criticism would sound awfully hypocritical. And we wouldn't want that, would we.?

[Guest]

Well, looks like I got a 2 week suspension at MAD for this thread. It's true what they say about trying to argue with DCP. Don't do it.

I'm guessing I'm on the short list for banning.

[_Bond...James Bond]

Well, looks like I got a 2 week suspension at MAD for this thread.

At least you'll have plenty of time to shoot for Godhood over here. (look for the silver lining my friend).

[_Scottie]

ARE YOU KIDDING???

I got suspended for responding to Selek's posts, after he had ridiculed me earlier in the thread for not responding to his posts???

[_Bond...James Bond]

ARE YOU KIDDING???

I got suspended for responding to Selek's posts, after he had ridiculed me earlier in the thread for not responding to his posts???

I've stopped getting upset over anything selek does. I give that advice to all men...it saves on ulcers.

[_Inconceivable]

I hope you are living in near poverty, with all your goods given to the poor. You have a small hut, walk to work, have one change of clothes, and eat only enough to barely sustain your body. No TV, no entertainments, no computer, nothing except the very bare necessities. With everthing else dontated to the poor. Otherwise your criticism would sound awfully hypocritical. And we wouldn't want that, would we.?

You live in a gated community, don't you C$*#ty? It's always the all or nothing qualifier, isn't it?

There are those that live very modest lives in order to contribute their time and talents to those less fortunate. It's not about money to them. It's not about money to myself. The church is not "less fortunate".

The church is an entity (it's a corporation). It dresses. How does it dress? With zillion dollar imported tile. Let's talk about it:

27 And they did impart of their substance, every man according to that which he had, to the poor, and the needy, and the sick, and the afflicted; and they did not wear costly apparel, yet they were neat and comely.

(Book of Mormon | Alma 1:27)

6 And it came to pass in the eighth year of the reign of the judges, that the people of the church began to wax proud, because of their exceeding riches, and their fine silks, and their fine-twined linen, and because of their many flocks and herds, and their gold and their silver, and all manner of precious things, which they had obtained by their industry; and in all these things were they lifted up in the pride of their eyes, for they began to wear very costly apparel.

(Book of Mormon | Alma 4:6)

53 And now my beloved brethren, I say unto you, can ye withstand these sayings; yea, can ye lay aside these things, and trample the Holy One under your feet; yea, can ye be puffed up in the pride of your hearts; yea, will ye still persist in the wearing of costly apparel and setting your hearts upon the vain things of the world, upon your riches?

(Book of Mormon | Alma 5:53)

28 Behold, O my God, their costly apparel, and their ringlets, and their bracelets, and their ornaments of gold, and all their precious things which they are ornamented with; and behold, their hearts are set upon them, and yet they cry unto thee and say—We thank thee, O God, for we are a chosen people unto thee, while others shall perish.

(Book of Mormon | Alma 31:28)

28 Yea, ye will lift him up, and ye will give unto him of your substance; ye will give unto him of your gold, and of your silver, and ye will clothe him with costly apparel; and because he speaketh flattering words unto you, and he saith that all is well, then ye will not find fault with him.

(Book of Mormon | Helaman 13:28)

25 And from that time forth they did have their goods and their substance no more common among them.
26 And they began to be divided into classes; and they began to build up churches unto themselves to get gain, and began to deny the true church of Christ.

(Book of Mormon | 4 Nephi 1:25 - 26)

[Guest]

The flowers are plastic. That's how much taste goes into a temple these days. I don't care what the floor or the walls are... the flowers are plastic. Tacky and tasteless. Bleah.

And yes... I CAN COMPLAIN! I'm a full tithe payer, and I want to know where the money goes, by line item.

Harmony,

If women were running the church, basketball would be played only on half courts, ward kitchen would be 3 times the size AND the FLOWERS would, no doubt, BE REAL. (this would be an amusing thread by the way).

Mormon God is a man (maybe even a redneck). He is practical. Pretty flowers die and they smell sissy. That's why he inspired his finest talent to develop fake ones.

Don't kid yourself.

It will be a cold day in hell when the women will actually have a say in the Mormon church. Even if they get their own jobs and pay their own tithing (maybe that's why women working are frowned upon so they don't feel entitled to be heard).

[_Moniker]

Yes, the afterlife is far more important in the big scheme of things from the church's POV. That said, the church does believe that our eternal salvation depends on serving the poor because in so doing we serve God. Thus serving the poor is a secondary goal even though it is vital for salvation. However, the church cannot neglect the other duties. I think it quite possible that nice church buildings help the church's mission by impressing upon our minds just how important the next life is. Is it worth X meals for the poor? Well, obviously not if there is no afterlife. I've often thought, though, that God could snap his fingers and feed the poor or build a temple. I think there's a reason He doesn't do either (and no, I don't think it's because He doesn't exist ;) ).

Well if I believed in God I would assume that He would desire his children (creations?!) to strive to do better in how they serve each other. That's how I would HAVE to think of it if I were to accept that God did exist in some fashion. Of course I don't deny categorically the existence of God. I figure either way as long as I go on serving my fellow man I'm cool. ;)