A Wish for Priesthood Blessings that Work

[_RayAgostini]

Maybe you could point me out a site that explains "Dawkins atheism" and how it differs from regular ol' atheism. There is no wiki page for the term. ;)

No problem: Atheism and Devotion in Buddhism.

More importantly, have you ever had a Buddhist as a friend, and have you ever talked to them about what they really believe?

Did you know that some Buddhists believe in more than forty different levels of hell?

Go figure.

[_RayAgostini]

Maybe you could point me out a site that explains "Dawkins atheism" and how it differs from regular ol' atheism. There is no wiki page for the term. ;)

Here's some more, from an atheist commentator I respect, Austin Cline.

I hope you enjoyed your Skype appt.

Always do.

[_RayAgostini]

Is Buddhism Atheistic?.

[_RayAgostini]

Is that because the Gospel of Faith (belief without any basis in evidence) withers in the light cast by the Gospel of Reason here?

You have become so blind, it's not funny, both you and Darth J. REASON has become your alternative god to Mormonism. Anything you cannot attribute to to your five physical senses, is a "fairy tale". Can't possibly happen.

Why am I even talking to a wall? lol.

[_Drifting]

REASON has become your alternative god to Mormonism. Anything you cannot attribute to to your five physical senses, is a "fairy tale". Can't possibly happen.

Doesn't God want us to use reason?

I thought God gave us a brain and our five senses in order that we can think and make decisions based on that information. Are you saying God expects us to ignore reason in order to believe in Him?

What do you attribute your belief in Mormonism to if it isn't 'reason' or one of you five senses?

[_sock puppet]

Is that because the Gospel of Faith (belief without any basis in evidence) withers in the light cast by the Gospel of Reason here?

You have become so blind, it's not funny, both you and Darth J. REASON has become your alternative god to Mormonism. Anything you cannot attribute to to your five physical senses, is a "fairy tale". Can't possibly happen.

Why am I even talking to a wall? lol.

The Gospel of Faith is not reliable, when prayer and faith don't work as promised, it is passed off as "God works in mysterious ways!" Or better, the Mormon guilt-trip method: you didn't pray hard enough, you haven't demonstrated enough faith yet. The faithful are to accept the plight, and continuing plodding through life.

The Gospel of Reason focuses on reliability of outcomes and seeking ever better explanations, it challenges people to refine if not replace existing theories with those that yield more reliability. The Gospel of Reason depends on the data we collect through our five physical senses, and reasons from that data to arrive at better explanations and more reliable outcomes. The Gospel of Reason reveals the mysteries and makes the underlying facts and reasons known; it doesn't use the concept of mask problems with earlier explanations, like the god myth.

Instead of spending time each week chanting hallelujah and praise be, time is spent figuring out how the world works.

Praise be. Hallelujah!

[_Drifting]

Sock,

When you really think about Priesthood blessings, they are actual irrelevant.

Regardless of how worthy the administering Priesthood holders, regardless of how faithful the recipient, the success of the blessing still comes down to wether or not God wants you to suffer or not. (Based on known success rates, in the vast majority of cases, He chooses for you to suffer).

To believe in Priesthood Blessings you have to believe that God won't help anyone to get better unless they ask for help in the Mormon way. Then, even when they've asked for help in the Mormon way, God reserves the right to ignore you!

What kind of an egotist is this Mormon God?

[_EAllusion]

You have become so blind, it's not funny, both you and Darth J. REASON has become your alternative god to Mormonism.

Are you saying that belief in Mormonism is somehow counter to being reasonable? What you are saying isn't the coup you imagine it to be.

Anything you cannot attribute to to your five physical senses, is a "fairy tale". Can't possibly happen.

I doubt either believe something this reductive.

lol.

Indeed.

[_Blixa]

I'm pretty sure we're coming from different perspectives, Blixa.

No kidding! But I hope that's what makes for useful exchange.

I acquired a "spiritual outlook" when I was eight years old ("schooled" by Catholic priests and nuns), and began reading, and respecting the Bible when I was ten. It's no real mystery why I "gravitated" towards Mormonism, and particularly the Book of Mormon, which I've read more than 20 times (stopped counting at 20, or more like lost track it was so many times).

I don't think I ever had a spiritual outlook other than what I gleaned through literature. My childhood reading and basic classical undergraduate work gave me a real curiosity about Catholicism, enough to go to Mass a few times and strike up some conversations with Father Meersman--a well known "activist" Utah priest. The short version: Catholicism was aesthetically and intellectually lush; by comparison Mormonism was bare. And it was hard to overlook the black priesthood ban and the rather in your face, or in MY face, sexism. (Believe me, I didn't give Catholicism a patriarchal pass, but all those medieval intellectual nuns made it a better fantasy.)

I don't perceive you as being a "negative" contributor here. Maybe I'm missing something. I know you're interested in history, and have a great fondness for Utah/Mormon history, and appreciate the cultural heritage.

I don't think I'm negative either, but I am critical. Critical of the contemporary LDS institution, critical of some of its history and, most importantly, critical of the history of that history. But for me, any sustained critique must have a component of respect: one criticizes in order to produce something better. There is a better history of Mormonism yet to be told and generations of sincere believers, both living and dead, deserve it.

If you've gained from being here, more power to you. I haven't....Maybe I should use the ignore feature more? lol.

I can NOT recommend the Ignore feature more highly. It keeps me from being distracted by posters of all stripes: some who are provocatively trolling, some who have only the same point to make over and over and some who may have perfectly reasonable things to say, but who are engaged in arguments I don't find urgent.

But, I do think you have gained from here Ray. Do you really think you haven't at all?

[_Buffalo]

Buddhists are atheists.

How many Buddhists have you personally talked to? Do you really understand Buddhism? I can verily assure you it's not the same as a "Dawkins atheism".

Anyway, I have a Skype appointment with someone, so for now, see you later.

ETA: "can't" to "can".

Who said it was the same as "Dawkins atheism"? But they are in fact atheists.