For Paul -- The Facsimiles of the Book of Abraham

[_Themis]

Double standard. Critics won't see things as they really are, either. They have already decided and will not reconsider.

Some may have, but many where believing members when they started looking into this information from both sides. I think we have demonstrated enough objectivity. Many like me wanted the church to be true, but not at the expense of reality.

[_Paul Osborne]

I like the critical propaganda better, Paul. It is much more entertainingly stupid.

Well, Simon, I guess you'll just have to work it out for yourself. I just want you to know that I bear you my testimony that there is no king's name in Facsimile No. 3 as Joseph Smith said. I bear you my witness that I know this to be true.

Paul O

[_Simon Belmont]

Well, Simon, I guess you'll just have to work it out for yourself. I just want you to know that I bear you my testimony that there is no king's name in Facsimile No. 3 as Joseph Smith said. I bear you my witness that I know this to be true.

Paul O

And I bear you my witness that your shirt is about 1cm away from a nip slip!

[_MCB]

And I bear you my witness that your shirt is about 1cm away from a nip slip!

Nothing wrong with a man showing his nipples. Just shows you that men and women are not all that alien to each other. :)

[_Redefined]

Well, Simon, I guess you'll just have to work it out for yourself. I just want you to know that I bear you my testimony that there is no king's name in Facsimile No. 3 as Joseph Smith said. I bear you my witness that I know this to be true.

Paul O

And I bear you my witness that your shirt is about 1cm away from a nip slip!

See Paul, Simon totally wants you. . . he's trying to take a peek under your shirt!

[_Runtu]

Double standard. Critics won't see things as they really are, either. They have already decided and will not reconsider.

That is obviously not true. I think part of the reason many of us haven't made you happy by simply shutting up about Mormonism is that we constantly reconsider, hoping that we'll find some reason to believe again.

Heck, if Don Bradley can go back to the church, anything is possible.

[_Paul Osborne]

And I bear you my witness that your shirt is about 1cm away from a nip slip!

I'll just take my shirt all the way off any time I like and drop my pants too. I enjoy the freedom without a religion that makes me feel guilty because I don't hold certain standards.

Anyway, I enjoyed winning the argument, Simon. Thanks for providing the intertainment. You have showed weakness in your faith while attempting to defend Facsimile No. 3.

Let everyone clap their hands -- Simon tried and he deserves some credit for the effort he put into it.

I'm standing up clapping my hands.

Paul O

[_Paul Osborne]

Double standard. Critics won't see things as they really are, either. They have already decided and will not reconsider.

Some may have, but many where believing members when they started looking into this information from both sides. I think we have demonstrated enough objectivity. Many like me wanted the church to be true, but not at the expense of reality.

Amen. There comes a point when you just can't take it anymore and then you realize that loving feelings (power and influence of God) from the divine source are available to all -- not just the Mormons who are living a set of rules and ideals.

Paul O

[_Paul Osborne]

See Paul, Simon totally wants you. . . he's trying to take a peek under your shirt!

Well, he can't have me. Hey, did you see the nipple in the jpeg version I sent you of my avatar? Plenty of detail there!

Paul O

[_sock puppet]

Double standard. Critics won't see things as they really are, either. They have already decided and will not reconsider.

That is obviously not true. I think part of the reason many of us haven't made you happy by simply shutting up about Mormonism is that we constantly reconsider, hoping that we'll find some reason to believe again.

Heck, if Don Bradley can go back to the church, anything is possible.

Runtu, I respect you, but do not count me among that particular 'many.'

I keep talking about Mormonism because I find it fascinating, given that I am 5th generation Mo (now liberated), that a myth could have such a hold over 4 generations of my progenitors. I guess rationality is the recessive gene that I got.

It is particularly fascinating to see people live a life of denial because others make them feel guilty about their past behavior.

Then they feel they've paid their penance and so are accruing credits that they will be paid in a hereafter. The reason I don't need to believe in a hereafter is because for the last 25 years (and going forward), I make each day count. No regrets. I need no reward in a hereafter. I don't short myself during this life, so no need for spoils in another life to balance the scales.

I spend time with those I want to, not with those I do not, and when those I love die and become ashes, I am warmed by the many, many memories I have. I did not short myself in time with them, so no need to hope for a second chance. The memories of past experiences are enough--and the companionship of new friends--to get my old bones to the grave without a death bed repentance in some vain hope that I can beat death.

No, I do not want Mormonism to be true. Fortunately, the evidence is against it anyway because I would follow the evidence wherever it may lead. But the mopologist is a fascinating creature after all. The square peg of Mormonism just won't fit into the round hole of reason, not unless you file off the sides and find out it's just a social order like the Fraternal Order of Eagles.