Mormon Magic

[_harmony]

We were always taught to say nightly prayers and thank God for all our blessings. We had to try and think of a new blessing every night. It's amazing how that thinking carries over into your adult life. As an adult, I was convinced that God gave me everything and He could take it all away just as easily. The utter fear of losing my stuff kept me from doubt. Oh, there were plenty of times that my rational mind cried out that the concept of God just doesn't make any sense, but I would push those doubts back right away so as not to piss off God...who would in turn take my stuff away.

I've been atheist for nigh onto 3 years now, and I'm more prosperous than ever.

And you never even once figured that you had what you had because of your own efforts?

Good grief. Why blame God for your own misconceptions? Why is it God's fault you followed men who led you astray?

[_antishock8]

Why is that so? Because he or she is mired in the desire to live beyond this life. Just that thought alone should be worrisome to anyone who is lucid and clear thinking. However, we've become so numb and so accustomed to the demand to respect their delusional mindset that we give it nary a thought when they make astonishingly outrageous and ludricous claims. The Mormon mindset is clearly pathological in nature, and should be treated as such. It is a mental illness to talk to things that don't exist, imagine that things that don't exist talk to you, believe that you'll live after you die, and place upon yourself a host of demands in order to extricate from an imaginary being eternal life. It is, very simply, a sickness. No less. No more.

Don't stop with the Mormons. Don't forget the Christians, the Jews, the Muslims... anyone who believes in the extraordinary. By all means, insult the intelligence of virtually everyone else on the planet, while you pat yourself on the back for your extreme cognitive abilities to understand the un-understandable, that which everyone else is willing to take on faith. Tellus all how stupid we are, how foolish, how gullible. You, after all, have figured it all out and can summarily declare that you and only those who agree with you, are right.

You alone know with certainly how things really are. How good of you to place yourself in a position to inform all of the deluded. And how very lonely for you.

What part of anything did I say was untrue?

I don't berate anyone for believing in something that is extraordinary because what is beyond what is ordinary or usual, or whatever is highly unusual or exceptional or remarkable is still real.

You definitely exhibit some of the traits I mentioned earlier. Notice how Harmony's disturbed disposition is a result of my refusal to give legitimacy to her delusions? She's actually upset that I describe someone who is mentally ill as mentally ill. She's upset because she clearly sees herself in my description, and doesn't like my audacity to point it out.

Let me ask the forum this:

Is it mental illness to believe that something that does not exist actually exists?

Is it mental illness to believe that if you follow x-y-z rules you will live after you die?

Is it mental illness to believe you communicate with something that does not exist?

The answer to all those questions is, emphatically, yes.

[_Scottie]

We were always taught to say nightly prayers and thank God for all our blessings. We had to try and think of a new blessing every night. It's amazing how that thinking carries over into your adult life. As an adult, I was convinced that God gave me everything and He could take it all away just as easily. The utter fear of losing my stuff kept me from doubt. Oh, there were plenty of times that my rational mind cried out that the concept of God just doesn't make any sense, but I would push those doubts back right away so as not to piss off God...who would in turn take my stuff away.

I've been atheist for nigh onto 3 years now, and I'm more prosperous than ever.

And you never even once figured that you had what you had because of your own efforts?

Good grief. Why blame God for your own misconceptions? Why is it God's fault you followed men who led you astray?

How is this my own misconception?!?

Look at how tithing is portrayed in the LDS church? God gave you EVERYTHING, and all He asks for is 10% back.

According to the LDS church, God gave you the health and intelligence to work, therefore, all your labors are owed to Him as well.

[_Inconceivable]

We were always taught to say nightly prayers and thank God for all our blessings. We had to try and think of a new blessing every night. It's amazing how that thinking carries over into your adult life. As an adult, I was convinced that God gave me everything and He could take it all away just as easily. The utter fear of losing my stuff kept me from doubt. Oh, there were plenty of times that my rational mind cried out that the concept of God just doesn't make any sense, but I would push those doubts back right away so as not to piss off God...who would in turn take my stuff away.

I've been atheist for nigh onto 3 years now, and I'm more prosperous than ever.

And you never even once figured that you had what you had because of your own efforts?

Good grief. Why blame God for your own misconceptions? Why is it God's fault you followed men who led you astray?

Harmony,

You must have never been to seminary. We have never been taught to pat our own selves on the back:

20 And it pleaseth God that he hath given all these things unto man; for unto this end were they made to be used, with judgment, not to excess, neither by extortion.

21 And in nothing doth man offend God, or against none is his wrath kindled, save those who confess not his hand in all things, and obey not his commandments.

22 Behold, this is according to the law and the prophets; wherefore, trouble me no more concerning this matter.
23 But learn that he who doeth the works of righteousness shall receive his reward, even peace in this world and eternal life in the world to come.
24 I, the Lord, have spoken it, and the Spirit beareth record. Amen.

(Doctrine and Covenants | Section 59:20 - 24)

To spell it out, all Mormons are taught that they are ungrateful (or even wicked) if they do not attribute all providence to the Mormon God.

And what Voodoo comes to a Mormon that rebels against such knowledge?

28 And now, because he said this, they did put him to death; and many more things did they do which brought down the wrath of God upon them. Therefore, who wondereth that they are in bondage, and that they are smitten with sore afflictions?

29 For behold, the Lord hath said: I will not succor my people in the day of their transgression; but I will hedge up their ways that they prosper not; and their doings shall be as a stumbling block before them.

30 And again, he saith: If my people shall sow filthiness they shall reap the chaff thereof in the whirlwind; and the effect thereof is poison.
31 And again he saith: If my people shall sow filthiness they shall reap the east wind, which bringeth immediate destruction.
32 And now, behold, the promise of the Lord is fulfilled, and ye are smitten and afflicted.
33 But if ye will turn to the Lord with full purpose of heart, and put your trust in him, and serve him with all diligence of mind, if ye do this, he will, according to his own will and pleasure, deliver you out of bondage.

(Book of Mormon | Mosiah 7:28 - 33)

23 And I did read many things unto them which were written in the books of Moses; but that I might more fully persuade them to believe in the Lord their Redeemer I did read unto them that which was written by the prophet Isaiah; for I did liken all scriptures unto us, that it might be for our profit and learning.

(Book of Mormon | 1 Nephi 19:23)

[_KimberlyAnn]

Strange magic,
Oh, what a strange magic,
Oh, its a Mormon magic.
Got a strange ma-a-a-gic!

KA

[_harmony]

You definitely exhibit some of the traits I mentioned earlier. Notice how Harmony's disturbed disposition is a result of my refusal to give legitimacy to her delusions? She's actually upset that I describe someone who is mentally ill as mentally ill. She's upset because she clearly sees herself in my description, and doesn't like my audacity to point it out.

When you are qualified to declare who is mentally ill and who isn't, then I will take your word for it. Until then, you'll forgive me for knowing my own state of mind (not disturbed, not upset).

Let me ask the forum this:

Is it mental illness to believe that something that does not exist actually exists?

Is it mental illness to believe that if you follow x-y-z rules you will live after you die?

Is it mental illness to believe you communicate with something that does not exist?

The answer to all those questions is, emphatically, yes.

Are you seriously positing that believers (of any religion) are mentally ill?

[_wenglund]

What I find fascinating is that the would-be and self-appointed judges of LDS critical thinking, tend to be the last that most people would look to as authorities on critical thinking. ;-)

It is not wholly unlike white supremicist, who tend to be the last that most people would point to as indicitive of the supposed superiority of the white race.

Thanks, -Wade Englund-

[_harmony]

How is this my own misconception?!?

Look at how tithing is portrayed in the LDS church? God gave you EVERYTHING, and all He asks for is 10% back.

And you bought it, hook, line, and sinker, didn't you? You didn't trust your own instincts, you didn't build your own relationship with God, you allowed someone else to get between you and God... and this is God's fault... why?

According to the LDS church, God gave you the health and intelligence to work, therefore, all your labors are owed to Him as well.

And why did you not question that? Because you allowed someone else to get between you and God. You.

[_harmony]

Harmony,

You must have never been to seminary.

Trudat. I'm a convert. There are some advantages to that.

To spell it out, all Mormons are taught that they are ungrateful (or even wicked) if they do not attribute all providence to the Mormon God.

And no Mormons are taught to study it out for themselves, right? To receive their own witness as to the correctness of that which was taught?

Good grief.

[_Inconceivable]

How is this my own misconception?!?

Look at how tithing is portrayed in the LDS church? God gave you EVERYTHING, and all He asks for is 10% back.

And you bought it, hook, line, and sinker, didn't you? You didn't trust your own instincts, you didn't build your own relationship with God, you allowed someone else to get between you and God... and this is God's fault... why?

According to the LDS church, God gave you the health and intelligence to work, therefore, all your labors are owed to Him as well.

And why did you not question that? Because you allowed someone else to get between you and God. You.

and your point is?

You are an active member, right?

And Scottie is not?

Where are your instincts, Harm?