Posted by:
cognitivedissonance
(
)
Date: October 22, 2015 02:45PM
CES-Letter:
http://cesletter.com/Letter-to-a-CES-Director.pdfFrom Section 9 of Testimony/Spiritual Witness Concerns & Questions:
9. I felt the Spirit watching “Saving Private Ryan” and the “Schindler’s List.” Both R-rated and horribly violent movies. I also felt the Spirit watching “Forrest Gump” and the “Lion King.” After I lost my testimony, I attended a conference where former Mormons shared their stories. The same Spirit I felt telling me that Mormonism is true and that Joseph Smith was a true prophet is the same Spirit I felt in all of the above experiences.
Does this mean that Lion King is true? That Mufasa is real and true? Does this mean that Forrest Gump is real and the story happened in real life? Why did I feel the Spirit as I listened to the stories of apostates sharing how they discovered for themselves that Mormonism is not true? Why is this Spirit so unreliable and inconsistent? How can I trust such an inconsistent and contradictory Source for knowing that Mormonism is worth betting my life, time, money, heart, mind, and obedience to?
Epistemology based on Faith/Feelings is too variable. Even within the Mormon Church, there are many variations of belief. A woman in my ward had issues with her marriage and considered divorce. She lost her wedding ring and was frantic to find it. In her talk she said, "God found my Diamond Ring, therefore Marriage is Eternal and I should stay married." My thoughts were drawn to the Poor kids with Cancer at Doernbecher Children's Hospital. Doesn't God want to help them? After all, he did save a marriage. I'm quite sure those Mothers are pleading to God for their children.
What ever!
Children get up on Fast and Testimony meeting to bear their testimony. They don't have the life experience to even begin to understand it. Yet, here they are repeating the words they hear so often, for the feedback and reward of saying it.
My TBM wife tells me to stay home on Fast and Testimony Meetings because I bring up the Hypocrisy of it all. Fine with me.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/22/2015 02:47PM by cognitivedissonance.