What Do People Here Believe?

[Marcus]

…And I can only speak for myself. I did upthread….

Upthread?

…I have not come to this point without having travelled a similar path that others here have described and settled themselves in/at.

Tithing…[is] a tough commandment to follow/obey for those that are not all in for one reason or another. There are other commandments that I’m sure are a stumbling block for some unless they have some semblance of a testimony in the truthfulness of the restoration.

…There are undoubtedly a certain number of folks that aren’t comfortable living the gospel way of life. That’s got to impact, to some degree, their ‘belief’.

…All I can say is I was in a place where I truly doubted the existence of God…My guess is that others of you stayed in that place or in a similar place.

Regarding hubris…

For [me] to allude to the possibility/fact(?) that [my] faith … experiences were somehow superior and/or more profound than [yours]…well, that’s hubris.

FTFY.

[Res Ipsa]

…you've never been anywhere near where I've been. If you had, you'd be able to honesty and accurately describe my experience. You've never been able to do that, and you never will because you have no idea what it is actually like.

The notion that your faith journey -- or anyone else's -- is some kind of threat to me is absurd. It reflects a judgmental arrogance totally lacking in empathy or compassion. There is a near-infinite variety of human journeys and they are not limited to faith journeys. Few are arrogant enough to claim that theirs is some kind of threat to their fellow humans.

We, of course, are not identical. Our experience will not be exactly the same. And I can only speak for myself. I did upthread. In a nutshell fashion of speaking. Imagine, if you can, what I went through thinking/knowing that all I had been taught and what I had learned growing up in regards to my faith was a fabricated farce. Can you empathize with that?

For you to allude to the possibility/fact(?) that your faith killing experiences were somehow superior and/or more profound than mine…well, that’s hubris.

But I’m not going to argue the point. The fact is, we both went through a period of time where we came to a perceived realization that the faith of our fathers was point in fact, false.

But the fact is, time goes on. I had experiences and kept asking questions. And I’m not saying you didn’t. All I CAN say is that over a long period of time I came back to a place where faith plays a part in my worldview.

Others may settle in a place where they don’t return to a place of faith.

That’s ALL I’m saying. To be accused of hubris is ludicrous. At least from where I’m sitting.

Regards,
MG

I didn't allude to any comparison of our experiences. That was all you. I in no way implied that my experience or my reaction to it was in any way superior to yours. That was all you. I didn't categorically dismiss your words by saying you "had" to say what you said to maintain what you want to believe. That, again, was all you. I didn't say or imply that you must be "threatened" by my faith journey. Once more -- that was you.

Projection sounds right.

[Everybody Wang Chung]

[MG 2.0]

We, of course, are not identical. Our experience will not be exactly the same. And I can only speak for myself. I did upthread. In a nutshell fashion of speaking. Imagine, if you can, what I went through thinking/knowing that all I had been taught and what I had learned growing up in regards to my faith was a fabricated farce. Can you empathize with that?

For you to allude to the possibility/fact(?) that your faith killing experiences were somehow superior and/or more profound than mine…well, that’s hubris.

But I’m not going to argue the point. The fact is, we both went through a period of time where we came to a perceived realization that the faith of our fathers was point in fact, false.

But the fact is, time goes on. I had experiences and kept asking questions. And I’m not saying you didn’t. All I CAN say is that over a long period of time I came back to a place where faith plays a part in my worldview.

Others may settle in a place where they don’t return to a place of faith.

That’s ALL I’m saying. To be accused of hubris is ludicrous. At least from where I’m sitting.

Regards,
MG

I didn't allude to any comparison of our experiences. That was all you. I in no way implied that my experience or my reaction to it was in any way superior to yours. That was all you. I didn't categorically dismiss your words by saying you "had" to say what you said to maintain what you want to believe. That, again, was all you. I didn't say or imply that you must be "threatened" by my faith journey. Once more -- that was you.

Projection sounds right.

I’m not going to continue this conversation.

All the best in your continued life journey, Res Ipsa. We all seek that ‘sweet spot’ that gives us a certain degree of equilibrium and happiness. I’m happy you’ve found yours.

Be well,
MG

[Everybody Wang Chung]

I’m not going to continue this conversation.
MG

[Marcus]

...Imagine, if you can, what I went through thinking/knowing that all I had been taught and what I had learned growing up in regards to my faith was a fabricated farce...

...we both went through a period of time where we came to a perceived realization that the faith of our fathers was point in fact, false.

So, you realized your religion was "a fabricated farce," and that the faith your family held was "false."

And then...

... I came back to a place where faith plays a part in my worldview.

I am curious what part "faith" that you know is "false" and a"fabricated farce" plays in your life?

[MG 2.0]

...Imagine, if you can, what I went through thinking/knowing that all I had been taught and what I had learned growing up in regards to my faith was a fabricated farce...

...we both went through a period of time where we came to a perceived realization that the faith of our fathers was point in fact, false.

So, you realized your religion was "a fabricated farce," and that the faith your family held was "false."

And then...

... I came back to a place where faith plays a part in my worldview.

I am curious what part "faith" that you know is "false" and a"fabricated farce" plays in your life?

Normally I don’t read your posts. I read this one. It deserves a response.

I no longer come from the same place I did years ago. People change. I came to feel/know differently than I did when I was in that dark place.

I chose to believe in God. Everything else then began to fall in line. Do I have questions? Sure. Don’t we all. Do I have faith in the restoration and all that this entails? Yes.

And this is where we differ. I came back from the abyss. And it took a LOT of effort and patience. And balance.

I will not carry on with this conversation with you. It serves no purpose. You are who you are.

Best wishes to you, along with Res Ipsa and other nonbelievers, in your life journeys. May you have a sense of equilibrium and experience happiness in the choices you have made.

We all live with them, don’t we?

Do no harm. Seek peace.

Regards,
MG

[Father Francis]

I will not carry on with this conversation with you. It serves no purpose.

Did anyone else read this in HAL 9000's voice?

[High Spy]

I will not carry on with this conversation with you. It serves no purpose.

Did anyone else read this in HAL 9000's voice?

I read everything in HAL 9000.

[Doctor CamNC4Me]

So, you realized your religion was "a fabricated farce," and that the faith your family held was "false."

And then...


I am curious what part "faith" that you know is "false" and a"fabricated farce" plays in your life?

Normally I don’t read your posts. I read this one. It deserves a response.

I no longer come from the same place I did years ago. People change. I came to feel/know differently than I did when I was in that dark place.

I chose to believe in God. Everything else then began to fall in line. Do I have questions? Sure. Don’t we all. Do I have faith in the restoration and all that this entails? Yes.

And this is where we differ. I came back from the abyss. And it took a LOT of effort and patience. And balance.

I will not carry on with this conversation with you. It serves no purpose. You are who you are.

Best wishes to you, along with Res Ipsa and other nonbelievers, in your life journeys. May you have a sense of equilibrium and experience happiness in the choices you have made.

We all live with them, don’t we?

Do no harm. Seek peace.

Regards,
MG

What parts of Mormonism were a fabricated farce?

- Doc