well, i'm not going to argue the point because it's useless - you have your opinions based on what you read or heard. it's like telling people what a wonderful car the S2000 is - you can write, talk, take videos, etc. but you won't be able to appreciate the car until you actually experience it personally, you know? i remember people keep saying how "no torque" the S2000 was, and all kinds of other things because they read it somewhere, heard it somewhere, and they believed. is it true? i disagree completely - the S2000 is a most excellent car, probably the best that came in my generation in terms of price/performance, but as long as there are webpages out there hawking those statements, people will believe.

now, tithing is NOT mandatory - not sure if anyone bothered to explain this, but i've never given the church a dime in my life even when i was working. it's encouraged, but you're not going to hell because you didn't give your tithing. there are aspects of the church's believes that i'm iffy about, but i look at things as a whole and pay less attention to the parts.

isn't it ironic that an ex-Mormon (a buddhist, of all things!) is defending the church? i keep telling people: it's not the church, it's the people. back to the S2000 comparo: people like Prolene, Jason Saini, Bitterman (Aaron), Ultimate Lurker, etc. can make the S2000 dance, but not all of us can do that now, can we? Like any organizations, there will be some people who're hypocrites and a-holes, but not ALL of them are like that. i left the church not because of the church and what it stood for, but for some of the people that were in the church.

peace.

 

Me too. I grew up on LSD....no LDS. There is no secret handshake and most Mormons like people of most faiths are fine people. Hey! They live 8 years longer than the average joe. I am now a seeker and searcher of truth? Got truth? I've been thinking of becoming a Frisbetarian. "Frisbetarians don't go to heaven when they die. They just land on somebody's roof."
Joking aside.
Mormons do believe in a good strong handshake that many don't like because they don't have the strength to return it. None of those limp wristed lady finger shakes.

 

They need a freakin license to date for gods sake!!! Who requires a license to date...MORMONS, sigh

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by OverBooster
They need a freakin license to date for gods sake!!!

 

Well Guys, I do happen to be a practicing mormon. Rather than degrade this thread into a pissing contest maybe I could take some time to help dispel some common beliefs about the LDS church.

First and foremost everyone is entitled to their own beliefs, no one should be ridiculed or persecuted for that. Unfortunately many in the world (very much so including mormons) choose to ridicule and tear-down another's faith.

LDS doctorine does not teach that if you are not LDS you are going to hell. That may be the view of many in the LDS religion but it is not true. Without going into too much detail the basic LDS doctorine teaches that there are 3 degrees of glory (heaven). To reach the top degree, yes, you must be LDS. However, we do not teach that those who are not LDS are going to hell. I'm sorry if that is the impression you've received from members of the church or if you have even been told that...it is not true.

LDS doctorine has never taught that you need a license (in other words 16 years old) to date. We have been counseled to avoid dating till we are 16 but it is not a rule. Frankly I don't think it's a bad idea but many disagree.

Yes, LDS doctorine does teach the paying of tithe (10% of your income). Yes, this is also required if you are to acheive the highest form of glory in Heaven. Our meetinghouses and Temple's are far from "grandiose." Quite the opposite, they are very modest. You may for yourself take a tour of one of our meetinghouses to see. As for our Temple's you are also more than welcome to tour one before it's dedication. When a new Temple is built it is open to the public (usualy for a week or two) to tour. After it is dedicated however, you must be a member of the church, in worthy standing to enter the Temple.

A missionary's family does not have to pay for his mission. It is asked that if the family can support the missionary ($375 a month) that they do. However, if the family cannot than the church will. This is a benefit of our tithing program. Not only does the tithing we pay help support our missionaries, it also pays for the construction of new chruches and Temples, maintanance and groundskeeping for the church, general welfare, along with a host of other services. Tithing and offerings are also used for many reliefs programs worldwide. The LDS church is one of the largest providers of aid relief to natural disaster victims in history. We also offer many programs to our members to aid them.

The LDS church is not a cult just as any other church is not a cult. There is nothing secretive about our religion. Most people misunderstand this. We do not keep anything secret, we just keep it sacred. Anyone can enter our Temples and see the ordinances that go on, we just ask that you be worthy. We aren't trying to hide anything nor are we trying to keep anyone out. All we ask is that you be worthy.

All I ask of you is that you judge the church by it's doctorines, not by it's members. We are not perfect, not all of us represent the teachings, nor can we speak for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Chances are what you or a friend heard from a mormon or heard about a mormon is not true.

Like I said everyone is enitled to their own belief, just as I am free to believe the church you are free to not believe it. Please don't spread mis-information and lies though.

 

I am not LDS and I never will be, however I worked in Utah for several years and I hold Mormons in the highest regards. I loved working with them. Yes, on occasion I got the feeling that "If you ain't LDS, you ain't sh!t" but it was very rare. Quite frankly, I like the values that most Mormons seem to have.

I won't become one but I sure won't knock them. Even if it is a cult as some believe the people live well and do a lot of good. That's more than can be said of many groups. BTW, I don't see it as a cult.

 

I learned everything I know about the Mormons from watching Orgazmo.

Whether that's funny or pathetic, it's all I got.

 

ok. and thank you MattH25 for all the other facts in your posting. the adjectives (modest, etc.) I won't debate-- they are rooted in opinion, and ours obviously differ. but the facts are facts (unless you may be in error, but I'll grant that what you stated is factually accurate until I prove otherwise, which I'm no longer in the mood to debate or research).

but MattH25-- respectfully, have you or would you consider reading through those hyperlinks I've posted? if not, please ask yourself why not? the remainder of our debate/discussion will have to occur in your own mind.

mingster, MattH25 et al.-- thank you for sharing your opinions. they are, on the whole (but only on this subject) diametrically opposed to mine, but they are valid and definitely worth my further consideration because I respect the intellects that posted them. and yes, a current Buddhist rising to the defense of his former religion does hold some significance and I somewhat know you and your accomplishments (thus intelligence) to a small degree, which honestly holds more significance to me.

that said, I've known current practicing Mormons (but perhaps not representative of the religion as a whole), I've known former Mormons (likewise perhaps not representing that segment of the population), and I've some fair amount of research (years ago, early college). I have been influenced by all three of these-- strongly.

I've even had the fortunate blessing of knowing a former Mormon who was sent to SE Asia (country forgotten) to introduce the people to the Mormon religion, and instead was himself introduced to the Tao te Ching. (yes, he left the church.) his life story-- by the age of 30-- was absolutely fascinating.

now, my opinions-- like all of yours-- have been formed in the cauldron that is our individual experiences. my point: much respect, and thanks, for your input.

mods-- thank you for not locking this thread!

steve c-- I posted all this because I'm attention-starved?? you're a dork. welcome to my ignore list. please put me on yours.

 

So the top degree of Heaven was empty until the Mormons came along 170 years ago? Wow, thousands of years since people were put on this earth and they were all getting screwed because the Church of LDS wasn't around to show them the way. Too bad.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by tritium_pie