If the mob hadn't killed Joseph and Hyrum at Carthage, the church would be just another extinct hippie sect.
Besides, most of us lost our "Get out of hell free" card. There is no longer an excuse for violence. Sometimes when people really piss me off, I regret losing my religion. (That's a joke).
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/14/2016 07:21PM by bradley.
The Book of Mormon states, and at least until 1980 most high-level Mormons used to believe, that an army of converted Lamanites would murder all the Gentiles and destroy all their cities.
That's basically why the Mormons got driven out of Missouri. Since they don't really teach that any more, I don't know that they deserve any violent reprisals. Some of my exmo friends may not want to believe this, but the worst evils of Mormonism were concentrated at the very top, not the ward and stake level. They apparently died out for good when Kimball and McConkie departed to their eternal punishment.
Sorry, I seem to be obsessed lately with that particular prophecy, my father's belligerent advocacy and threatening invocation of that doctrine, and the feelings of disgust I feel about the whole thing.
I wouldn't ever advocate reprisals against anyone for an old and neglected doctrine. On the other hand, renewed, credible, and open threats of large-scale violence would legally and morally justify strong defensive measures. And an attack would justify a counterattack.
I can see how certain NT and BOM prophecies could be used to justify either right-wing or left-wing violence. I really do wonder how the latent fanaticism of the scriptures and the endowment could play itself out. And of course, the rhetoric of the leaders and the attitudes of the members are changing all the time.
I mean, you could try punching the church but you'll probably break your hand. I don't recommend it. They're pretty solid, built to withstand earthquakes and such.
Kicking might not hurt as much, but you may as well huff and puff and try to blow it down. I don't think either will work, though. Again, pretty sturdy.
I've climbed on top of churches before playing capture the flag during mutual. Totally didn't collapse under my weight. I wasn't very heavy at the time, but even now I doubt the church would notice me walking on it, let alone stomping. It would probably just say, "not again..."
I think spreading information and offering support to those who doubt/have nowhere to go when they leave is better. Being good people regardless of church affiliation is better.
Those who are BIC have been told their whole lives that there is no happiness or goodness outside of their safe little church bubble. They are taught that those who leave are violent, angry, and will do anything to hurt believers. They are taught that people hate the church and believers because they hate the truth, and that they have been/are persecuted simply because of their beliefs. Violence will only strengthen that notion, regardless of whether it had any foundation before.
My personal opinion is not that violence should be used, but education. I am not angry with the people in general, but the toxic organization that feeds off of many of them. I am angry with the deception and needless guilt. I am angry that so many youth, especially in the LGBT community, are driven to feel so much shame that they find it more bearable to end their own lives. Those that have used their influence within the organization to abuse others should be investigated and charged appropriately. Those who have been victimized should be offered a safe place to process the pain and heal, where they won't be judged or blamed for what was done to them.
The pain caused by that organization is already so great. I can't support a plan that would cause more damage.
Nope. That won't work. That would just feed the persecution complex and increase their faith.
The last thing the world needs is more violence over religion. It will not solve the problem, just make it worse.
What the church needs is a light to shine on all the secrets and lies. Even more importantly, people need to be educated to recognize control and manipulation.
Violence is always a last resort when you're trapped by an adversary who intends to bring you harm. Though the church does exploit people, you're free to leave at any time. So as bad as the church is, it doesn't meet a standard that warrants violence.
If the progeny of the targeted Fancher pioneers had anything in common with the old-time Cedar City assassins, they would sneak up now and bomb the COB.
That Southern tribe is not made of vengeful stuff as were the Brighamites.
The peaceful Fancher people died and Brigham lied.
"Kicking might not hurt as much, but you may as well huff and puff and try to blow it down. I don't think either will work, though. Again, pretty sturdy."
"Every time you kick "Mormonism" you kick it upstairs, you never kick it downstairs." Brigham Young
"Mormons used to believe, that an army of converted Lamanites would murder all the Gentiles and destroy all their cities."
This is very violent. No reason for Ex-Mos to be violent like TBMs believe(d). I'm sure some still want all ex-Mos dead.
I do believe that TSCC should be called out for their crap though; like their gay policy [and children of gays] and their choice not to furnish an interpreter for Jeremy Runnels. That is so disgusting. The CULT has many deaf interpreters. They interpret for conference etc. so there is no excuse. They are just being assholes.
I think this should be widely publicized. The Americans with Disabilities should get involved and help to furnish bad publicity for the CULT. Bad publicity does way more damage than violence toward ending this EVIL CULT.
I flip off many of the buildings, not the people but tscc. there are of course individuals that deserve it, but you gotta be careful with it cause it's a verbal threat.
I would liketo take a bat tocertain buildings maybe, but only if I knew Iwould not get in trouble.
I know,so immature. I grew up in tsscc, what do you expect?
No. Absolutely not. Apart from the fact that such a thing is morally atrocious, it would only fuel the Church's persecution complex. Why would you even ask such a thing?
Only by engaging in Spiritual Warfare. Such as the pen is mightier than the sword, and proving the fallacy of Mormonism claims is the best revenge.
Ironically it is the Mormon church that condones violence to achieve its ends. In terms of indoctrinating its members from very early ages to be willing to lay down their lives for the cause of Zion.
It is a cult religion founded by a false prophet, and led by those who are brainwashed and most gullible to this day. They are prepared to defend the church with their lives, unto death.
They've gone to war in the past over their religious beliefs. I doubt in the times we live in that means will be justified to achieve their goals. It is a dying religion as more become educated and learn the truth of its history, and its founding leaders Joseph and Brigham.
They were never prophets of God. Just a couple of wise guys posing as shysters.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/15/2016 07:58AM by Amyjo.
There are a few Mormons, well one actually, that should he meet an unfortunate end would cause a minor celebration here, but violence against the church....no. I would revel in watching a GA break ranks and spill the beans about the cult and it's motives but that ain't gonna happen in my lifetime.
I am curious to know the OP answer to his own question. What are your thoughts? How do you feel about the subject that you've raised? Are you a TBM by chance?
It's someone who hasn't posted here before, so who knows?
They haven't been back to comment. Makes ya wonder if it's a lurker, don't it?
When I was very young (under age of ten,) we were ordered by the LDS church to watch a movie that the church had made and distributed (this was late 1960's.)
The thrust of the movie to us children (again this was a mandatory screening we HAD TO ATTEND in a special evening session held specifically for its viewing, not during Primary class or Sunday School,) was we needed to be willing and ready to die for the church.
That was shocking now as I reflect back, that the church would order us by families to watch this movie. I don't know if others here from that era remember that, but it wasn't an option that we attended to see that hideous film, where a young boy about my age then had to die for the Mormon church.
It was hideous to subject us to that, to indoctrinate us very early on we needed to become martyrs if necessary.
Does this remind you of modern day warfare? As in suicide bombers and others who kill themselves for their god? Many such suicide bombers were subjected to this very type of indoctrination early on in childhood.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/15/2016 11:44AM by Amyjo.