Runtu wrote: That's exactly what I mean. I would not have said what I said had I known he was eavesdropping. I don't have this overwhelming urge to convince people that the church is not true.
Just because you have disabused him of one legend, does not negate the Church as a vehicle of worship in any way. As St. Augustine pointed out, "All truths are God's truths". Perhaps you would feel better if you spoke more with your co-worker and expressed your feelings and regret.
I agree with cinepro over at the MA&D House and what Skippy said.
If there were no marital relations, then why call them MARRIAGES or the other women plural wives?
Further, the laws of the land which Smith claimed he upheld, did not recognize ANY extra wives.
The mo'pologists are using the same tactics that used car salesmen employ to get the car sold.
Unwitting foo: "The title says it was wrecked"
Shark suited mo'polgetic car salesman: "Noo noo nooo, while it was in an accident, it was not WRECKED!"
Unwitting foo: "OK fine, but it says it was totaled"
Shark suited mo'polgetic car salesman: "Oh tsk! Perhaps in that region of the country. Out here it has a high value, even before the frame was straightened."
I don't see why Mopologists haven't started to claim Joseph Smith was actually homosexual, but never sinned in a homosexual manner. He always had close male companions... Practiced eternal marriage in the purist sense in order to gain exaltation... Was altruistic by marrying so many women... Was a real inspiration.
This would help them to explain his behavior, AND show everyone how homo-tolerant they are. Voila.
I find it amusing and disconcerting that many of us are uncomfortable letting members know truth.
If our loved ones and/or friends were involved in any other organization that required unbelievable amounts of time and money, and we discovered they were unaware of some significant truths or information that may cause them to rethink their participation, we would most certainly alert them.
But when it comes to the LDS church we don't say a thing.
I am right with you Runtu, I never say a word, and do not want to be the bearer of disturbing information regarding the church... it is too disruptive to lives and families.
OTOH, I have to wonder about this... The Golden Rule would suggest that I DO share information, because I would want others to tell me the truth. In fact I desperately wish someone had.
I know for sure that there are friends who would leave the church in an instant if they knew the full story.
I have not resolved the situation in my heart... I'm conflicted.
In terms of Joseph Smith affairs.... As I stated on another thread, the reason apologists use to justify polygamy is God needing to "raise up seed" as stated in the Book of Mormon. Based on the Book of Mormon, God clearly states polygamy is an abomination and condemned but if God needs to raise up seed he will allow this abomination.
This whole nonsense of Joseph Smith sealing himself to other women for some other purpose is completely at odds with the Book of Mormon.
~dancer~
"The search for reality is the most dangerous of all undertakings for it destroys the world in which you live." Nisargadatta Maharaj
I was watching "The Mormons" with my RM dissaffected son two nights ago. My 18 year old TBM son poked his head in the door just to see who was in the room. At that moment the narrator mentioned "...57 children..". The words blocked his way out, "what the heck? That's sick. who was that?" I rewinded the comment and it stood for itself. He expressed disbelief but I was there to confirm it and to tell him that the records of the church show that most of his children were born by 20 year old girls even while he was a very very old man. It was extremely disturbing to him.
I then told him that these kinds of truths were the reasons I have left the church.
Sometimes it takes the right moment, however painful it is. He understands and has a little more respect for his dad now - And the facade of the damn church that has attempted to disaffect him from me.
Not to derail, but I can't imagine ever having this type of conversation at work. I'm assuming this was Utah, or the corridor? It's been a while since I've spent any time in Utah, and I vaguely remember regular religious discussions everywhere. Outside the corridor these types of conversations are big no noes in the work place.
Of course, I just realized the irony of my comment as I am sending this message from work.
"We of this Church do not rely on any man-made statement concerning the nature of Deity. Our knowledge comes directly from the personal experience of Joseph Smith." - Gordon B. Hinckley
"It's wrong to criticize leaders of the Mormon Church even if the criticism is true." - Dallin H. Oaks
SatanWasSetUp wrote:Not to derail, but I can't imagine ever having this type of conversation at work. I'm assuming this was Utah, or the corridor? It's been a while since I've spent any time in Utah, and I vaguely remember regular religious discussions everywhere. Outside the corridor these types of conversations are big no noes in the work place.
Of course, I just realized the irony of my comment as I am sending this message from work.
Yep, it happened in Provo, where I live and work these days. Such a conversation would have been unthinkable at my previous employer in Texas.
SatanWasSetUp wrote:Not to derail, but I can't imagine ever having this type of conversation at work. I'm assuming this was Utah, or the corridor? It's been a while since I've spent any time in Utah, and I vaguely remember regular religious discussions everywhere. Outside the corridor these types of conversations are big no noes in the work place.
Of course, I just realized the irony of my comment as I am sending this message from work.
In the South, you can get into some interesting religious conversations at work. I live in NC, smack dab in the middle of the Bible belt.
I don't see why anyone would feel the need to spare a Believer's feelings about their faith. Its fantasy, and a damaging one at that. We should be actively discouraging this kind of mindset, and not giving safe harbor to the kinds of ideologies that damage the human spirit.
antishock8 wrote:I don't see why anyone would feel the need to spare a Believer's feelings about their faith. Its fantasy, and a damagin one at that. We should be actively discouraging this kind of mindset, and not giving safe harbor to the kinds of ideologies that damage the human spirit.
My discomfort wasn't about sparing someone the truth. But there are better ways of sharing the truth than hitting someone over the head with a baseball bat.