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Religion
h3ndu
Registered User regular
Registered User regular
So...
I was born and raised in a Latter Day Saint (better known as Mormon) family. I was baptized when I was eight, I received the Aaronic priesthood when I was twelve, I passed sacrament until I was sixteen when I became a priest then I blessed sacrament; when I turned eighteen I received the Melchizedic priesthood. Then I joined the army.
Around that age in life all of my other siblings had gone on missions for our church. My brother went to Taiwan and learned Mandarin Chinese, all of my sisters went state side and learned Spanish.
My family has always wanted me to go on a mission, and until recently I didn't think it would be possible for me to do it (nor was I really sure I wanted too - and I'm still not) what with military commitments; however I can. I've kind of had a tough time deciding if a mission is really for me to do. I don't like to press my religion, and if told that someone doesn't want to talk about it I'll just leave it alone; I'm also not the best representative of my own particular religion - I' most certainly not a Utah Mormon. But even though I've had doubts about it I still filled out the paperwork and sent it in, figuring it would be a good experience for my spiritual and otherwise.
I've been called to serve a mission in Frankfurt Germany for two years. I head out on the 31st of this month.
I've never had any real experience with religions outside of my church, I don't know much about what others believe or why they believe it, so I figure it might be some fun to get a polite discussion about what religions are all about, and how they have had effects in the lives of the people here (good or bad); what their societal impacts are, and the histories involved in them.
So, what think ye of religion D&D?
Edit:
My religious beliefs are boiled down into what our church calls "The Articles of Faith."
1. We believe in God, the Eternal Father, and in His Son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost.
2. We believe that men will be punished for their own sins, and not for Adam's transgression.
3. We believe that through the Atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel.
4. We believe that the first principles and ordinances of the Gospel are: first, Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; second, Repentance; third, Baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; fourth, Laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost.
5. We believe that a man must be called of God, by prophecy, and by the laying on of hands by those who are in authority, to preach the Gospel and administer in the ordinances thereof.
6. We believe in the same organization that existed in the Primitive Church, namely, apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, evangelists, and so forth.
7. We believe in the gift of tongues, prophecy, revelation, visions, healing, interpretation of tongues, and so forth.
8. We believe the Bible to be the word of God as far as it is translated correctly; we also believe the Book of Mormon to be the word of God.
9. We believe all that God has revealed, all that He does now reveal, and we believe that He will yet reveal many great and important things pertaining to the Kingdom of God.
10. We believe in the literal gathering of Israel and in the restoration of the Ten Tribes; that Zion (the New Jerusalem) will be built upon the American continent; that Christ will reign personally upon the earth; and, that the earth will be renewed and receive its paradisiacal glory.
11. We claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may.
12. We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law.
13. We believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in doing good to all men; indeed, we may say that we follow the admonition of Paul—We believe all things, we hope all things, we have endured many things, and hope to be able to endure all things. If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things.
I was born and raised in a Latter Day Saint (better known as Mormon) family. I was baptized when I was eight, I received the Aaronic priesthood when I was twelve, I passed sacrament until I was sixteen when I became a priest then I blessed sacrament; when I turned eighteen I received the Melchizedic priesthood. Then I joined the army.
Around that age in life all of my other siblings had gone on missions for our church. My brother went to Taiwan and learned Mandarin Chinese, all of my sisters went state side and learned Spanish.
My family has always wanted me to go on a mission, and until recently I didn't think it would be possible for me to do it (nor was I really sure I wanted too - and I'm still not) what with military commitments; however I can. I've kind of had a tough time deciding if a mission is really for me to do. I don't like to press my religion, and if told that someone doesn't want to talk about it I'll just leave it alone; I'm also not the best representative of my own particular religion - I' most certainly not a Utah Mormon. But even though I've had doubts about it I still filled out the paperwork and sent it in, figuring it would be a good experience for my spiritual and otherwise.
I've been called to serve a mission in Frankfurt Germany for two years. I head out on the 31st of this month.
I've never had any real experience with religions outside of my church, I don't know much about what others believe or why they believe it, so I figure it might be some fun to get a polite discussion about what religions are all about, and how they have had effects in the lives of the people here (good or bad); what their societal impacts are, and the histories involved in them.
So, what think ye of religion D&D?
Edit:
My religious beliefs are boiled down into what our church calls "The Articles of Faith."
1. We believe in God, the Eternal Father, and in His Son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost.
2. We believe that men will be punished for their own sins, and not for Adam's transgression.
3. We believe that through the Atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel.
4. We believe that the first principles and ordinances of the Gospel are: first, Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; second, Repentance; third, Baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; fourth, Laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost.
5. We believe that a man must be called of God, by prophecy, and by the laying on of hands by those who are in authority, to preach the Gospel and administer in the ordinances thereof.
6. We believe in the same organization that existed in the Primitive Church, namely, apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, evangelists, and so forth.
7. We believe in the gift of tongues, prophecy, revelation, visions, healing, interpretation of tongues, and so forth.
8. We believe the Bible to be the word of God as far as it is translated correctly; we also believe the Book of Mormon to be the word of God.
9. We believe all that God has revealed, all that He does now reveal, and we believe that He will yet reveal many great and important things pertaining to the Kingdom of God.
10. We believe in the literal gathering of Israel and in the restoration of the Ten Tribes; that Zion (the New Jerusalem) will be built upon the American continent; that Christ will reign personally upon the earth; and, that the earth will be renewed and receive its paradisiacal glory.
11. We claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may.
12. We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law.
13. We believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in doing good to all men; indeed, we may say that we follow the admonition of Paul—We believe all things, we hope all things, we have endured many things, and hope to be able to endure all things. If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things.
Lo Que Sea, Cuando Sea, Donde Sea.
h3ndu on
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Posts
Why did your church not accept black people until 1970?
Why do you have secret names you only tell each other when you get married?
Why is Mormonism so secretive but yet so open and friendly?
You Mormons are so darn nice, it is hard to dislike you guys, even if you have.... motives.
Those are part of something called an endowment. They are supposed to protect us (Edit: from both temptation to sin and physical harm.), and are a physical reminder of our covenants made at the temple. I'm not sure how much more I can get into that.
Edit: and it's a shirt and shorts, not just shorts.
They could join they just couldn't hold the priesthood. I don't like that this was how it was, but the following link explains it.
Official declaration two from Pres. Spencer W. Kimball
Can't really discuss that (lack of knowledge). I'll try and find an answer for you.
I'm pretty sure it goes to the whole - some people aren't ready to hear some things until properly prepared - deal.
Thanks.
You have a religion you'd like to share?
Polite discussion, not passive aggressive questions.
...though I am sort of interested about the pants.
Most Mormons laugh and swiftly divert the question.
I'm interested in Buddhism but I can't decide what kind of path I want to follow.
Vehicle, path, whatever.
The three main ones are:
Mahayana-Newer
Theraveda-Elder
Vajrayana- Tibetan
Why were many parts of the Christian bible edited to fit with your religion? How does the church reason theses changes? This is not meant to be insulting...just purely out of curiosity.
I just don't understand how Mormonism still exists when the very start of its existence is so ridiculous, no matter how much they try to reform themselves.
You act as if you've never heard of Scientology.
Shogun Streams Vidya
Why on earth do you believe in your religion?
It seems like if you're going to be abroad convincing people that they should believe in your religion, you ought to have sound logical reasons for believing in it yourself. As far as I can tell, most people believe in their religions because their parents did, and that was how they were raised. And other reasons tend to be incredibly flimsy and based on lies.
Scientology doesn't have 14 million followers.
It's interesting that you say that, though. I've known Mormons that, much like scientologists, haven't been "revealed" the entirety of the religion because of some stupid stratification system.
I don't know, is the claim any more ridiculous than what every other Christian believes? Nothing in my life has led me to believe that resurrection, zombies, and other varieties of magic are any more realistic, yet nobody seems to balk when someone says they are a Christian. I don't think Mormonism is that much different really, besides the amount of time it has existed and the exposure it has received.
Good luck on your mission.
As a member of the Catholic faith I can only speak for my religion. We believe that we should not got out evangelizing, but instead serve your fellow man to show him the light of Christ. We obviously are willing to answer questions but most of the time we try to let people come to us. Also, we are taught to never hate a group even if they go strongly against the bible.
I call bullshit. Matt Stone is Jewish. Unless you're talking about excommunication because of the Mormon episode.
Spiritual experience. It seems like a lot of hooa and crazy tom foolery to most people, but I'll be damned if I'm going to turn my back on it after I've felt the Holy Ghost in action.
And I honestly do have a lot of questions about my own church - not letting Black people have the priesthood until 1970 is one of those things that I question quite a bit, but I've honestly felt a feeling that I cannot explain fully in words that has moved me to such a point where I fully and honestly think my church is the right and true one, even if I can't explain all of its (Many) oddities.
maybe it's something in the sacrament water...
It very likely is - It's just something I heard and took at face value.
Edit - Thanks Kolosus.
Many Christians don't take the bible (old testament) literally, but as parables to live a "Christian" life by.
I like your answers better
There is nothing wrong with questioning your religion of choice.
It can even lead to more understanding.
It's not, but the Mormon claims are more readily falsifiable because of its infancy in comparison to the rest of Christianity.
You could say the same thing about the New Testament (or the Qur'an for that matter) editing parts of the Old Testament. Actually, I think you'd have a hard time finding a religion that didn't base itself off of an previous one. It's easier to get people to accept it that way (it's why Christmas is celebrated in December).
And also I'd like to add that I admire this:
If I ever sat down and tried to rank my favorite personality traits, that would totally make top five.
I have absolutely no problem with anything that anyone believes (as long as it doesn't hurt others), and in fact I'm usually quite interested to try and learn more about it and understand it, but I can't stand anyone who tries to convert me to anything.
If you understand the four noble truths and follow the eight fold path, you can reach enlightenment theoretically.
Keep in mind that for most Buddhists, enlightenment is not heaven, but freedom from the cyclic pattern of existence, life and death, rebirth and redeath.
Please elaborate further.
So it's like a divine break from existence?
I'm Jewish.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Judaism
(You should check out Wikipedia. If you really want to know things, its the best way to get the most information in the least amount of time)
Specifically reform Judaism.
Judaism's primary book, and the primary source for the religion, is the torah. It is identical to the old testament in christianity, though Judaism does not accept the Christian new testament or the divinity of Jesus.
A brief history of Judaism
During a famine the Jews followed Joseph, a great-grandson of Abraham, to Egypt, where they coexisted peacefully with the pharoah. On the succession of Ramses II the Egyptians decided to enslave the Jews and began a policy of killing the male jewish population in order to wipe out Jewish heritage (because when you get down to it, Judaism is pretty damn chauvinist)
Anyway a boy named Moses was floated away on a reed raft to Pharoah's palace, where he was found by someone
Moses and the Jews went around in the desert for 40 years. During this time Moses received and wrote down the entire torah to that period of time (supposedly) including the 10 commandments. These are
1: I am the lord thy god.
2: Thou shalt have no other gods before me.
3: Thou shalt not make wrongful use of my name.
4: Remember the Sabbath and keep it holy
5: Honor thy father and thy mother
6: Thou shalt not murder.
7: Thou shalt not commit adultery.
8: Thou shalt not steal
9: Thou shalt not bear false witness
10: Thou shalt not covet
(The story of Moses is the grounding of the Jewish holiday of Passover)
The Jews eventually return to Canaan and, under the generalship of Yehoshua (Joshua), retake control of Canaan, and things were swell. They also built a pretty sweet temple.
The Jews were removed from their land in 722 BC by the Assyrians, during which time 10 of the 12 tribes of Judaism were lost, leaving the tribes of Israel and Levi. The Jews returned when the more benevolent Persians, under Cyrus, conquered the Assyrians and allowed the Jews to return, which they did, building another sweet temple.
After the invasions of Alexander Israel came under control of one of Alexander's general, Antiochus. This went on fine until Antiochus IV decided to destroy Judaism. The greeks were beaten out of Palestine under the generalship of the Maccabee family.
(The Story of the Maccabee's is the grounding for the Jewish Holiday of Hannukah)
The Jews once again lived independantly for 200 years until the coming of the Romans. Under Roman rule, a man named Jesus was born, you might have heard of him.
In 66-70 AD an Israeli revolt was crushed, ending in the destruction of Jerusalem and the second temple, with the exception of the western wall, which is now the most holy site in Judaism. The Romans spread out the Jews throughout their entire empire, resulting in Europe and North Africa having a large Jewish population after the fall of the Roman empire.
The Jewish population of Europe did not fare so well during the middle ages, although Judaism did stay strong because groups tend to unify if they are being persecuted. Jews were falsely accused of killing Jesus (we didn't, really, the bible even says that the Romans did it!) and were essentially massacred whenever something went wrong, including military defeat, famine, or the black death. Life for Jews in North Africa, in contrast, was downright peachy, mostly because the muslim rulers were tolerant as long as the other religious groups did not proselytize (which Judaism doesn't do anyway) and paid a tax in exchange for exemption from military service. The Jewish population of Spain had a golden age from 900-1492 AD, ending in the Spanish Inquisition and the expulsion of Jews from Spain.
In modern times Judaism has fared well due to the religious toleration that is present in western society. The most pleasant recent event is the zionist movement, which ended in the creation of the State of Israel in 1948. The least pleasant was the Holocaust, Adolf Hitler's murder of 11 million "undesirables" in his German empire during WWII, among whom were 6 million Jews. This shows that anti-semitism, while not permissible in a popular public forum, is not dead.
I'll hella go back if a near-death experience results in me seeing Him.
I just went to church, thought it was pretty, and was not moved by any sort of religiosity. It's done nothing to dampen my enthusiasm and wonderment at the state of the universe, or my love for my fellow persons.
It's not reactionary, it's not me being arrogant and telling you you're dumb, it's not me being unconcerned with morality or the "big questions", it's just that it at no point seemed plausible in any way to believe what any religion I have seen so far believed.
It irks me a bit to see atheism thrown about at times as though it's either a coat of paint on nihilism, or the polar-opposite and equal of crazy fundamentalism. Some people just never find answers in a religious framework.
Though I doubt people really have any questions about atheism beyond "don't you mean agnosticism?"
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eight_fold_path
TL;DR
The world is full of suffering, which is the basis of life.
This is the example the Dalai Lama gave in his book.
Think of your favorite food. It is pleasurable in small quantities, but overeat and you suffer.
This shows that its true form was suffering.
Nihilists take this to mean that nothing matters and they can do whatever they want.
Buddha was a rebel and split off from the Hindu 'church' and allowed anyone to become a monk, even untouchables. He is also named Sidhartha Guatama and Sakyamuni, or the silent sage.
Hahaha.
By the way Charlton Heston made a kick ass Moses.
I hate Mormons for one simple reason:
Joseph Smith said that the Garden of Eden was in Missouri.
And when a person makes that asinine claim, and people don't write off everything else he said due to his incomprehensible lunacy, I can't help but hate those people. Because to claim that the Garden of Eden was in Missouri goes beyond any notion of a "leap of faith" or some sort of "belief". You've just fucking stopped paying attention and you are doing naught but saying unfounded shit for no good reason at all.
So, h3ndu, where do you stand of this claim? Was the Garden of Eden in Missouri?
You know, I am sort of a lapsed jew.
The thing is though, if your mother is Jewish, then you're considered Jewish, even if you don't really do anything. Its quite convienient.
And really, when it comes down to it we're talking about a guy who started a religion who claimed to have angels walking around in his house, but only if nobody is visiting. Anyone who said the same today would be considered a nutbar.
Yes.
Edit: There is some serious deep doctrine behind this, which I'm sure most of you might think is bullshit - and sadly I can't say anything more than yes because I'm not familiar with all of it. But I'll do some research and try to explain it once I do.
I'll regret asking this, but...
1) Do you desire to prove this?
2) Could you prove this?
3) If you could prove it, how would you prove it?
4) Do you know why you think this?
5) Would you explain why you think this?
Quite frankly, the Judeo-Christian tradition requires such a large suspension of disbelief that saying the Garden of Eden was in Missouri isn't that much of a stretch.
As I said before I'm going to do some research - but right now I fall back on having faith in my prophet and his teachings.
Simple as it gets.
You are.
Not "you" specifically, but "you" the Latter day Saints group are. Inasmuch as your "prophet" translated the super-secret golden tablets he found in a hill by shoving them into a hat with some rocks and read aloud the translation to an idiot, then lost that translation, so retranslated it allowing for minor differences because when people make crap up they occasionally change the story slightly. Then claimed that the Garden of Eden was in Missouri, and Jesus lived in the United States, and on, and on, and on, all for the sake of promoting polygamy, which was then shunned and removed from the religion when it was found that while people can believe that a man found a golden tablet in a hill and translated it by putting it onto a hat with some rocks, it just wasn't sensible for men to maintain marriages with multiple women.