Show me a religious organization without a sordid past

[_Some Schmo]

When it comes to a religion's truth value (i.e. it represents god's actual true religion) I regard all religions equally. They are all full of crap.

I do not, however, consider them all equal in the amount of harm they inflict on their members and the collateral damage to outsiders. Some religions are definitely worse than others in that regard.

But if we're talking about a church's divine authenticity, well then yes, they're all equal. They all consist of a bunch of cheesy mumbo jumbo which enjoys the benefit of being conflated with a source of morality. (by the way, if a kidnapper got me, locked me up in his remote cabin, and started subjecting me to lengthy discussions on human morality, I'd still want to be set free, even if what he was saying resonated with me).

The main reason I criticize the LDS church is because it was what I was raised on, it's the one I'm most familiar with, and the one certain members of my family still attend. This should not, in any way, mean I give other religions a pass. I call bull crap where I see bull crap.

[_Themis]

That's why when I became Catholic I was more concerned about its doctrine than its history. There are of course points where history and doctrine intersect such as the LDS doctrine of polygamy. In that case you have to look at whether or not the doctrine of polygamy is true instead of how the doctrine was carried out. People will always come short of what they profess. The test of Joseph Smith's mission is found in what he actually taught rather than how he actually lived. It's whether or not the Book of Mormon is true rather than what he might have done with Fanny Alger ...

And this is what I am trying to get at. I agree with this.

It's incorrect though.

[_zeezrom]

Thanks for missing the point.

You're welcome! Man... that really is sad to think of what the Christians did to Hypatia. I can't get over that one. So sad...

[_asbestosman]

If God's organization of fallible humans into a single church is not actually producing better results, then what's the point? Why should someone become LDS in the first place?

One place the LDS differ from others is in their insistence of authority--the priesthood. Protestants tend to believe in a priesthood of the believers (I'm somewhat ignorant about it so please feel free to correct me). Other key differences would be in doctrines such as Eternal Marriage which can be very comforting to some people although I recognize that others may prefer a protestant picture of the afterlife. Yet preferences are really irrelevant since I might prefer that we all go to heaven. The truth will be different however. I would say that the most important results are those that consider the afterlife.

[_zeezrom]

One place the LDS differ from others is in their insistence of authority--the priesthood. Protestants tend to believe in a priesthood of the believers

LDS aren't the only ones who insist on authority.

Other key differences would be in doctrines such as Eternal Marriage which can be very comforting to some people although I recognize that others may prefer a protestant picture of the afterlife.

Yeah, comforting to Mormons who are happy with their current spouse.

I would say that the most important results are those that consider the afterlife.

Yes, focus all your energy there. That's real useful...

[_Sethbag]

If the hot dogs at your favorite stand aren't actually any better than the hot dogs at my favorite stand, then why does it matter which ones I eat?

God will only grant a business license to one hot dog stand at a time. Since God determines what is good and evil by fiat, by definition if you eat any of the other, false hot dogs, you're going straight to HELL.

[_Jason Bourne]

Simon

How does point out the flaws of other faiths help the LDS Church with its problems? Doesn't this just show all religions have major man made flaws and may likely not be a one true Church including the LDS Church? And should we not expect more from the Church of Jesus Christ? Why defend it and say "Ah heck guys, we are just like all the other apostate faiths. Why put us down/" This argument does not really go very far to help.

[_sock puppet]

When it comes to a religion's truth value (i.e. it represents god's actual true religion) I regard all religions equally. They are all full of crap.

I do not, however, consider them all equal in the amount of harm they inflict on their members and the collateral damage to outsiders. Some religions are definitely worse than others in that regard.

But if we're talking about a church's divine authenticity, well then yes, they're all equal. They all consist of a bunch of cheesy mumbo jumbo which enjoys the benefit of being conflated with a source of morality. (by the way, if a kidnapper got me, locked me up in his remote cabin, and started subjecting me to lengthy discussions on human morality, I'd still want to be set free, even if what he was saying resonated with me).

The main reason I criticize the LDS church is because it was what I was raised on, it's the one I'm most familiar with, and the one certain members of my family still attend. This should not, in any way, mean I give other religions a pass. I call bull s*** where I see bull s***.

+1

[_Sethbag]

This is not to give the church a free pass. It is to ask about one's criticism of it. However, I will say that you have always been consistent in saying that you view Mormonism as no worse or better than any other religion.

I should be clear that I'm saying its "divine truth" proposition is no better or worse than any other religion: they're all inventions of the human mind, not or supernatural origin. I do agree that the various religions have varied in the harm they have inflicted on, and the benefits they have brought to their members and others throughout the ages.

I might ask you the same thing. When you identify a pattern of manmade churches throughout history on Earth, and then the Mormon church fits right in with that pattern, what does that tell you?

Maybe God at one time led those churches too?

And there you go again, snatching defeat from the very jaws of victory. ;-)

[_sock puppet]

If God's organization of fallible humans into a single church is not actually producing better results, then what's the point? Why should someone become LDS in the first place?

One place the LDS differ from others is in their insistence of authority--the priesthood. Protestants tend to believe in a priesthood of the believers (I'm somewhat ignorant about it so please feel free to correct me). Other key differences would be in doctrines such as Eternal Marriage which can be very comforting to some people although I recognize that others may prefer a protestant picture of the afterlife. Yet preferences are really irrelevant since I might prefer that we all go to heaven. The truth will be different however. I would say that the most important results are those that consider the afterlife.

Does a belief having a comforting effect make it true?

What results, considering the afterlife? Are you hoping once we've all died, you can say "I told you so"?