Easter Greeting

[_Ray A]

In spite of the fact that I might bring condemnation upon my own head for saying this, KUDOS to you for your bravery.

He is not brave. He just has an unquenchable ego. That's what really drives him, to be seen as some kind of "John The Baptist", a divider of good and evil for the Saints, the One Mighty And Strong.

As Teancum on MAD said, he thinks he's a legend in his own lunchtime.

Unfortunately, Will is once again right - members like Teancum, "apostates in the making", are a minority in the Church. They are on their way out.

And strangely, I agree with Will here - Let's hope so. Purge the Church of all those willing to dialogue and reason. Then it can be "redeemed" from reason, and Will can bask in hearing only emotional testimonies, forever and ever, undisturbed by the apostates he'd like to see hanged in the public square.

[_Jersey Girl]

Hi Mary,

Happy Easter to one and all. It's nearly over, here in the UK. It's been a good one. Life is good, and if there is a God, he is far more forgiving, far more merciful, far more understanding, and far, far more loving, than we are capable of comprehending, with our minds right now.

Life is good.

Mary

Happy Easter to you too! Glad you had a nice day!

Just wondering .. how do you know God is a "he" and that "he" is more good, forgiving, merciful, understanding and loving than we are capable of comprehending?

I agree life is good for some people, but to be honest I think it REALLY, REALLY sucks for many. If I ignore the suffering, abused, and starving, and those hurting more than I can imagine, I can go with the "God is good" belief but when I see so much horror, cruelty, and suffering I just don't see it.

How do you make sense of the problem of suffering?

~td~

I'm asking with curioisty and interest, not trying to debate or challenge you!

truth dancer,

I have to say that I do agree with Jason that these remarks seem out of place on this particular thread however, I'd like to answer your question. We actually have no way of "knowing" that God is a he. How do we make sense of the problem of suffering in relation to a merciful and loving God?

Because God doesn't cause the suffering, HUMAN BEINGS do. A merciful and loving God has the capacity to forgive those who cause suffering and EQUIP those who "have" to help to relieve suffering.

You yourself help to relieve suffering in your work. So do I. Whether or not you see yourself as equipped by a "god" doesn't matter. From a believing perspective, you have been given talents and thankfully have chosen to develop and use them to the benefit of others.

That's how.

Jersey Girl

[_truth dancer]

I'm asking with curioisty and interest, not trying to debate or challenge you!

Yea you are. You really are trying to debate her.

How about starting another thread about the world is so horrible and if God is there he really sucks to let it me that way.

Let Mary have her happy easter wish and find some peace in her faith.

Jason, I'm not sure why you are so obnoxious. Asking a question to someone you admire and respect, hoping for help and understanding is not the same thing as wanting to debate.

I wished Mary a happy Easter and believe she had a lovely day. My intent was to ask a very sincere question to Mary whom I deeply admire. I value her ideas, opinions, and insights and would like to hear how she manages the problem of suffering.

I feel quite certain Mary knows my intent was not to harm her faith, debate, or in any way degrade her beliefs. After I wrote my post I clarified my intent just to make sure.

I apologize to Mary if my question ruined her Easter or felt mean spirited in any way.

How about starting another thread about the world is so horrible and if God is there he really sucks to let it me that way.

Why? I am not interested in your discussion. If you want to discuss this then you start your own thread.

If my thread was off topic then I apologize.



~td~

[_truth dancer]

Hi Jersey Girl,

I have to say that I do agree with Jason that these remarks seem out of place on this particular thread however, I'd like to answer your question. We actually have no way of "knowing" that God is a he. How do we make sense of the problem of suffering in relation to a merciful and loving God?

I didn't mean to be argumentative but am struggling today. I apologize to Mary and anyone I offended. Thank you for offering your kindness, I need it today.

Because God doesn't cause the suffering, HUMAN BEINGS do. A merciful and loving God has the capacity to forgive those who cause suffering and EQUIP those who "have" to help to relieve suffering.

You yourself help to relieve suffering in your work. So do I. Whether or not you see yourself as equipped by a "god" doesn't matter. From a believing perspective, you have been given talents and thankfully have chosen to develop and use them to the benefit of others.

That's how.

Jersey Girl

Thanks Jersey Girl... I appreciate your goodness,

td

[_Trevor]

members like Teancum, "apostates in the making", are a minority in the Church. They are on their way out.

That was me, and it took quite a little bit of time to get there.

By the way, love the signature.

[_Daniel Peterson]

Christos anesti!

Alethos anesti!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EpFhS0dAduc

[_Jersey Girl]

Hi Jersey Girl,

I have to say that I do agree with Jason that these remarks seem out of place on this particular thread however, I'd like to answer your question. We actually have no way of "knowing" that God is a he. How do we make sense of the problem of suffering in relation to a merciful and loving God?

I didn't mean to be argumentative but am struggling today. I apologize to Mary and anyone I offended. Thank you for offering your kindness, I need it today.

Because God doesn't cause the suffering, HUMAN BEINGS do. A merciful and loving God has the capacity to forgive those who cause suffering and EQUIP those who "have" to help to relieve suffering.

You yourself help to relieve suffering in your work. So do I. Whether or not you see yourself as equipped by a "god" doesn't matter. From a believing perspective, you have been given talents and thankfully have chosen to develop and use them to the benefit of others.

That's how.

Jersey Girl

Thanks Jersey Girl... I appreciate your goodness,

td

td,

I'm sorry that you're having a difficult time today. If any part of my words helped to lift you up, I would be very glad for that.

Jersey Girl
:-)

[_Mary]

Hi TD,
Not so sure God is a he, not so sure God has a body, am 100% sure that if God exists (and I hope and genuinely feel that there is something there that I can't quite explain) that God is full of love for all of us, and that love and our capacity to love and reach our full potential is what it is all about.

I guess I just use 'he' out of habit, sometimes I remember not to!!

I don't have any neat answers for the problem of suffering, injustice or evil, but it does seem to be part of our lot to experience it and be subject to it and to learn to cope with it as well as to learn to cope with not knowing anything for sure!!

I didn't like the way Will was judging Ray, at the same time if God is really that loving and forgiving (and I believe that God is) then he'll even forgive Joseph Smith and take the good that he did weighed in the balance with all the bad.

I'm not sure that the church can ever get away from some of the 'bad' and perhaps 'fraudulent' aspects of Joseph's behaviour, (maybe we have Brigham Young and later prophets to thank for the fact that the church is such a morally upright organisation today) but the church does have the capacity to make many people better. That's no small feat and not such a bad legacy to leave behind.



Mary

[_Chap]

I won't be posting tomorrow.

Anyway, it's already Easter Sunday in Greece.

No it wasn't. Different ecclesiastical calendar.

Incidentally, does celebrating Easter at the "right" date matter to the CoJCoLDS?

There have of course been bitter controversies about this question in the past. Was there a revelation that the practice instituted by the Roman Catholic Church at the time of the Gregorian Reform of 1582 is correct? Or what?

[_truth dancer]

Hi Mary,

Hi TD,
Not so sure God is a he, not so sure God has a body, am 100% sure that if God exists (and I hope and genuinely feel that there is something there that I can't quite explain) that God is full of love for all of us, and that love and our capacity to love and reach our full potential is what it is all about.

I think we view God somewhat similarly... not an advanced human male being but something "I can't quite explain." :-) I think of God as the mystery, Source, Essence of existence or something along those lines. Can't quite explain it, but believe there is something we can't comprehend.

I don't have any neat answers for the problem of suffering, injustice or evil, but it does seem to be part of our lot to experience it and be subject to it and to learn to cope with it as well as to learn to cope with not knowing anything for sure!!

Totally agree!!

I didn't like the way Will was judging Ray, at the same time if God is really that loving and forgiving (and I believe that God is) then he'll even forgive Joseph Smith and take the good that he did weighed in the balance with all the bad.

Yep! In my version of Heaven, everyone turns instantly wonderful and "good," and we all instantly forgive everyone!

Thanks for your thoughts Mary,

~td~