Posted by:
Nick Humphrey
(
)
Date: September 27, 2011 05:05AM
it's not that simple.
"If someone believes in something, is sincere about it, and it builds them in a positive way, then let them believe in it."
any belief? what about believing that molesting children builds them in a positive way? you need to add *at least* the following caveats:
and as long as
* it doesnt infringe on anyone else's freedoms/rights
* they keep their beliefs to themselves
" I have known people who have changed from utter addiction and suicide attempts to living a productive life and being happy all because they found religion"
this is great, really, but just dont pretend to know how other people *really* feel, solely based on what they say or how they appear to feel--i know plenty of mormons who *say* they are happy, when they really are not--i was one of them, until i left the church.
"I'm L.D.S. and proud of it"
pride goeth before the fall.
"We can all learn something from each other"
most definitely. i hope you learn from the people here and on other websites dedicated to revealing accurate information about mormon church history, like for example how joseph smith's book of abraham is scientifically proven to be a hoax. much of the source documents are extant (byu owns them even) and we have the rosetta stone. conclusion: joseph smith couldnt translate egyptian. further conclusion: if joseph smith couldnt translate egyptian, is it plausible to believe he could translate reformed egyptian (a language, of which there is absolutely no evidence anywhere else in the world that it ever existed)?
"So with all these anti this or that posts...we should stop."
since the LDS church claims their beliefs as *facts*, it is both understandable and justifiable for websites like this one to refute such claims based on available evidence.
"And start working together, regardless of religious preference."
historically, the church has worked vigorously against the civil rights of women, blacks and most recently homosexuals and the persecution of polygamists (yet their university is named after one of the biggest polygamists in US history),
"That's the only way things will get better in this world."
i suggest people stop believing they are more "chosen" than other people, that their belief is the "true way to happiness", and other pompous rubbish e.g. the lds church claims.
"Just because I believe in Jesus Christ, doesn't mean I have the right to force that belief on another"
exactly. i hope you live what you preach and never missionary to anyone else about your beliefs--although this is in direct conflict with what your church tells you.
"After all I have read about my faith and the faith of others I have come to an understanding that gives me peace"
are you at peace about the mountain meadows massacre? how about the fact that mark hofmann duped the prophet and apostles and sold them false documents? (i have lots more examples of unsettling church history events if you like)
"All these hate blogs do is bring in confusion and tear down lives"
"hate" is simply your perception, but there is nothing wrong with hate principally. yahweh and your mormon version of yahweh uses hate all the time in the scriptures.
http://stuffgodhates.commormonism tore down my life and told me that i was sinful and unholy for liking and wanting sex. mormonism breaks up families by telling unwed mothers to give up their children for adoption. mormonism tells homosexuals that they are unnatural, when homosexuality is found in 450 species in the animal kingdom, yet homophobia is only found in 1 species (homo sapiens)--which is more unnatural now?
in some circumstances (and for a limited number of people) like you mentioned, religion/mormonism can/may be good for them. but the effect is purely psychological and the same effect can be achieved with professional counselling. the world is better off without religion and all the problems, nonsense, non-science, hate, war, sadness and persecution that come of it. the disadvantages greatly outweigh the "benefits". just read world history.