Miles Teg
Nuclear Powered Mentat
What, do you think the origins behind anti-Mormon bigotry are (besides the obvious "because they're bigots")?
Ask a Mormon, Part 3
- Thread starter Eran of Arcadia
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In the early church, anti-mormon feelings were often based on political reasons. Members used to congregate in one place and vote as a block, which terrified the standing political establishment (the Mormons would suddenly come in a "take over" an area).
Later, Mormons began to live in more geographically diverse areas, and take on a variety of political viewpoints. Anti-Mormon feelings, in my opinion, are more likely to stem from a fear of the unknown, half-truths perpetuated by clergy upset at losing members, and different political reasons.
The same reason we performed proxy baptisms for anyone, regardless of their religion in life - because we hold that only through the LDS Church is proper priesthood authority found. Now, if we are wrong about this, then what we did has no consequences and no validity at all, one way or the other, but if we are right we did a service. To anyone for whom we did proxy baptisms.
But those people died for being Jews so isn't it a disservice to them if they are Baptized and they don't have family in the LDS Church?
Why is it a disservice to them? As I said, if we are not correct about this, then in the afterlife, as they continue being Jewish, all that will happen is that they will think, "oh, the Mormons think we are Mormon now." But they wouldn't be, they would still be Jewish. Or whatever.
I'd have to agree with civ king. In my opinion its disrespectful. I don't consider it as a backup, I consider it an insult.
I understand that people do, but I honestly don't understand why, what rational reason there is. If (say) the Scientologists started doing something like this to my deceased Mormon ancestors (of which I currently have none, but will some day) I would not get upset.
By saying that you are right, you are implicitly saying that those who do not think the same thing as you are wrong. What's the problem with this? After all, our belief that only we - and no other church - have priesthood authority cannot be more disrespectful than saying that there is no such thing as priesthood authority at all, yet pretty much all non-Christian religions say this.
Don't worry Eran, I get your point.
Now if my religion said "Oh, btw, if a Mormon prays for you after you're dead, you're ripped screaming into hell", then I'd be offended. But I figure "I'll pray for your dead momma" is about as offensive as "I'll pray for your living momma".
Now if my religion said "Oh, btw, if a Mormon prays for you after you're dead, you're ripped screaming into hell", then I'd be offended. But I figure "I'll pray for your dead momma" is about as offensive as "I'll pray for your living momma".
warpus
Sommerswerd asked me to change this
I think it's a horribly poor choice that they went after HOLOCAUST VICTIMS. Who's brilliant idea was that? You're just asking for people to get annoyed at you by doing that.
Quackers
The Frog
How many kids do you have?
We believe it applies to everyone, why not apply it to everyone?
Me, personally? None, currently.
warpus
Sommerswerd asked me to change this
Because some things are just a stupid idea to begin with?
Whoever is running things over there (your president?) should have known better.
Quackers
The Frog
Ok. How many would you like to have? And why do mormons always have so many kids. Isn't Utah the only state of the US with a natural growth rate?
Because some things are just a stupid idea to begin with?
What do you mean by "some things"? If you mean baptism for the dead in general, it is simply the logical extension of our beliefs. If you mean Holocaust victims, it is still quite in line with our doctrine, but at any rate individual members supply the names used, it isn't really centralized.
I would like to have about 3 or 4 (natural or adopted, I am not picky) but we'll see how I feel when I have the first one. (I have been married all of 3 months, so it will be a while). There is no real commandment to have lots of kids (contraceptives are allowed) but it is encouraged, and it's kind of a cultural thing. At any rate, I have seen the whole range of family size. I don't know anything about demographics.
warpus
Sommerswerd asked me to change this
Yeah, but if your beliefs are going to piss off a large number of people, perhaps the people involved should have been a bit more considerate about it.
I mean, leave those people alone.. they died.. in the holocaust.. IN HORRIBLE WAYS. Sheesh
Yes, and compared to dying in the Holocaust, having their name used as part of a religious ritual pretty much won't register . . .
I don't agree. I think it's better to say that "this is what we believe, and we have reason to believe it, but we aren't so all fired arrogant that we insist that we and only we are right".
I really don't get that view. If we are right, then only we are right.
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