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Talking to God (10 unread)

a funny take on Prop H8

Posted: December 3rd, 2008, 5:12am EST by Gunner

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See more Jack Black videos at Funny or Die
Well said

Posted: November 12th, 2008, 3:19am EST by Gunner

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Well said
worship was one of the first steps for me

Posted: October 1st, 2008, 2:38pm EDT by Gunner

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I don’t get worship services. I use the term most people use to describe the Sunday morning activities that somehow has become a required performance for the deity of your choice. Worship. In an odd way I get bothered even saying the word.

The common belief in god is that he is our father and we are his children. Short of debates over this relationship I’ll use this one as the base for this writing.

Now short of an underground breakthrough in Petri dish technology and gene splicing, all of us have a father. While maybe dad is a stretch on some, the term father can be used as a generic. It sounds better then ‘sperm donor’ to describe the person who donated at least half the genes in your chromosome matches.

Now the big father in the sky is supposed to be many things. A dad, a guiding force in our lives, the creator, but the one that gets me is the term father. We are his spirit children are you hold to the Christian faith, and he is dad.

A small question arises. In a normal father/son relationship think hard and ask how many of them require that a person regularly worships in a set way to prove their love for their father? A relationship that demands absolute love from you, and a strict policy of following every law given to you (through people who say they talk for your father) or else you might be written out of the will?

Now is this a father/son relationship that you would find acceptable to live with?

Now a second question to ponder. What if every week you not only have to worship him, you have to resign a contract saying that you will keep following those rules? Now this contract is so important that your siblings might look down upon you if you don’t re-sign.

Would that pressure to re-sign seem proper? Then why do you do it?
The Sacrament is viewed as a renewal of the covenant made at baptism
Now we are getting to the crux of why I have always had issues with regular Sunday services. A father is to be loved. A father is to guide you until you can make your own choices in life. A father does not demand regular adoration/worship as a sign you love him, and a father does not require you to resign contracts of conduct and belief.

An easy out is to say that sacrament is symbolic. Nope. If it is symbolic then why are members who have been disfellowshipped asked not to partake? If it is not a resigning of the contract, then it should be allowed to all members in the church.

I was reading recently some translated Latin works recently by Aquinas and came to the conclusion that ‘God’ and ‘father’ should never be used together. Their meanings have so little to do with each other. Maybe you can feel that there should be a connection, and I would hope there is as I will explain, but in act, deed and requirement the two words do not come close to overlapping in a VIN diagram.

Now that word I used. Hope. You might be surprised but I’m not such a calloused individual that I could not find in me an inkling of a desire that there would be a ‘father’ figure as a creator that is watching over us, and at times guiding us. There would be a beauty in a supernatural loving god that wants us to become all that we could and embrace us after we have lived the good life.

Sadly there is a slight problem with that. The image of god that is put forth in the bible and other writings is far from the father figure. A fine example would be Abraham and the fact that god ordered him to sacrifice his son.

Now there are three ways to view this. The one normally viewed by Christians that I will skip over as it needs not be repeated, and two others.

In view two the idea of a sick twisted god comes forth. In it we seem to have a god that demands loyalty tests to see how far a person will jump, then right at the end when the heart has been torn from Abraham's chest due to the suffering at what is required a voice says “Let him live…”. Now why require an act of faith if god is all knowing? Why was god not be able to look into the soul of Abraham and know that he was a true “on his knees” follower. If your god is all knowing, then there was no need for this barbaric act to even be contemplated.

The other side is if god is NOT all knowing, and he requires these tests to find if you are a true cool-aid drinker. If god is not all knowing then how do we find it possible to call him a god?

I look into the bible and see that with a basic knowledge of right and wrong that there is much wrong.

Now back to worship.

God is flawed…if he is real. God is an insecure deity to require worship and new contract signings.

I cannot find it in myself to call this deity a god, or one worthy of worship.

Sunday worship is one of the stranger items that made me think about my views of god. It is easy to hunt through old books and find issues in the LDS church. I’ve never been a person to delve into the gamesmanship of doctrinal and historical debates.

I started looking at the basis of the relationship. Is this a healthy relationship, or is it a one sided relationship that is harmful? I found it lacking in quality and meaning.

If God is to be worshipped then he is not a father figure. If he is a father figure then he cannot be worshipped. Right now the standard Christian doctrine is one of worship…and that is bothersome, if not offensive, to me.

You might think that I am taking the word 'worship' and reading into it much more then there really is. Even the quickest google search says that worship is a form of showing love. In life if you are required to show love...then is it?

In my last post I mentioned that I had ‘fired god’ in my life. I figured for those who read this blog and never ask me why I no longer believe or what I do currently believe, that a slightly angry post should be followed by a post with a bit more depth.

I did not over a hard weekend decide to stop looking upwards. I did not find it easy to say 'no' to the idea of a father/god. It took a lot of introspective years to say that the current idea of a father/god is simply wrong in my view.

I did not study anti-Mormon literature or anti-Christian literature to end up at the place I am in. I simply asked if it was all ‘good’ and I could not say it was. I wasn’t lazy and used my natural grumpiness to justify it. I came to a realization that for me, the idea of the Christian ‘norm’ was wrong.

I cannot in good conscience say that I am a Christian in the traditional sense…but I’m not sure I need to label myself.

I’m me

I’m a moral person

I’m ethical

I’m a good husband

I’m a good son

I’m a good brother

I’m just me and I love you all no matter how you might feel about me in my place at this time in life.

Was I angry sounding before in many posts? Hell yes. When a person finds that they’re in a bad relationship they get upset and bothered. Time passes is all I need to say.

Now I find myself in a good place.

Home.
A laugh for the soul

Posted: September 22nd, 2008, 7:30am EDT by Gunner

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It should be noted that loud laughter is required and evil if avoided.
this post is about why I don't ...

Posted: September 16th, 2008, 3:27pm EDT by Gunner

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this post is about why I don't care about believing

I find myself having this same type of thoughts when it comes to religion and faith. not because I have a desire to disbelieve as some feel in my extended family, but because I find having a belief in God requires something on Gods part.

Please explain life as we are living it?

People like to fall back on the sad and abused logic that "this life is to test us", or " we will get the answers in the next life". Sorry. That is such a sad reply that I am embarrassed when I here a version of it.

We are supposedly 'his children', and 'he' allows ungodly acts to be done to us. If I were such a parent I would wish someone would take my children from me as an abusive parent.

"but he loves us"

If god is there he does NOT love us, and because of that I will not show 'it' an ounce of respect, worship, or honors.

I find myself having no desire for there to be a god. A 'God' is supposed to be awesome...inspiring...glorious...not an absentee parent.

If there is no god then I'm leading a great moral and ethical life right now all on my own and loving a beautiful woman. If there is a god...well dude. You're fired.

I'm not an atheist....I just don't give a damn.
New BYU honor code poster?

Posted: September 5th, 2008, 4:17am EDT by Gunner

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Oh dear! This could get ugly quick.
Step outside

Posted: September 1st, 2008, 3:49am EDT by Gunner

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Stepping outside the lines is the difference between a lost soul and a free soul. Everyone can hold to the rod of life and never deviate, but the real adventurers do what is not expected...as long as the Church handbook of instruction allows it.

Daycare. I have asked many people why the church does not offer a daycare for those who need it. I have NEVER gotten and answer that borders on workable. "It would allow women to work outside of the home" is the most shameful. In today's society it is harder for a one income family with kids to make it. Women have to work, and a cheap daycare would help. Even if you limit it to members only the help would be so great. Sadly this will never occur because it does not follow the CHI at all.

Buses. Those old school buses, or new economy vans with "Church of _____" on the side that goes and picks up people in poorer areas or home bound people. Now the members of the church are quick to find you a ride, but this is past that. I'm talking a concerted effort to pick up a lot of people in one area like a housing development and such. Now that seems to go against my view of the church, but this goes to a view I feel. The LDS Calvanist view of success being connected to spirituality causes me stress, and likely is a cause that a mass moving church bus/van will never happen.

Angel Food Ministries. I'm a proud user of this ministry to help get more affordable food then you could buy at the grocery. Once a month and the church that does it gets $1 per box. I'm happy to say that I have earned for the Risen Life Fellowship church 3 dollars and will earn them one more near the end of the month. A non-denominational church that has several outreach programs in the community. I hear wards are always tight budget wise and this seems a healthy, safe, and friendly way to earn more for the local budget, and to be put a good face on the local LDS church. Sadly when I suggested to my dear wife that she suggests it to the local bishop she just looked at me and shook her head. I guess if it is not in the church handbook of instructions then it if FORBIDDEN!

The Salvation army is known for helping the social outcasts, the Quakers are known for peace activism, the Catholic church is known for offering school in poor areas, the many baptist churched are known for missionary programs were wells are drilled, and clinics built, and the LDS church is known for ...not drinking tea or smoking.

Is that what you want your heritage to be? Yes the church does a lot, but it could do so much more...after it finishes building the mall in SLC I guess.

Step outside of the path you've worked on for so long. Quit making hygene kits and instead build a habitate for humanity house, or have ALL the missionaries in the south work on tutoring children on basic reading and writing. Change the world, not the geneology disc in a library. Lift up the children don't life up a new ward builiding.

Step outside of the lines...it's beautiful out here.
GEM

Posted: August 2nd, 2008, 1:03am EDT by Gunner

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My dear mother is the issue in this GEM. This is a quote from the lasts weeks YW lesson on marriage.
What will people be doing throughout eternity?

Civil: Those who have the opportunity to receive the covenant of eternal marriage in a holy temple but choose to be married outside the temple may enter into the celestial kingdom or one of the other kingdoms. But they cannot be exalted and live eternally with their families. They will live as single people and ministering servants to those who chose to follow God’s plan. They will lose great blessings because “they think more of the world and its covenants, than they do of God and his covenants” (Joseph Fielding Smith, Doctrines of Salvation, comp. Bruce R. McConkie, 3 vols. [Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1954–56], 2:65).
My mom was never married in the temple. she will be a servant. That sure makes me want to run back to their open arms.

Of course this is about those who choose not to get a temple marriage, and the option was never available to my mom, so maybe she will be protected by the fine print.

These rules seem so far from the unconditional love that is the norm for how they show the Lord to others, but then believe in a servant class.
GEM

Posted: July 28th, 2008, 11:08pm EDT by Gunner

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While not a GEm from a Mormon or exmo, it does give light to an issue that has caused me much thought in the past.
“One of the saddest lessons of history is this: If we’ve been bamboozled long enough, we tend to reject any evidence of the bamboozle. We’re no longer interested in finding the truth. The bamboozle has captured us. It’s simply too painful to acknowledge, even to ourselves, that we’ve been taken.” Carl Sagan
GEM

Posted: July 22nd, 2008, 2:46pm EDT by Gunner

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The discussion on RFM was about how women are treated who have the idea that pants are okay to wear to Church. Birchtree talked about what they saw at another denomination.
The first time I attended an Episcopal church was on a Saturday evening. One lady there looked as though she'd just shut off her lawn mower and walked into the chapel. Later, when I asked about the dress code, I was told, "It's more important that you're there than what you wear."
Can I get an 'Amen'?

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Talking to God (10 unread)

Posted: December 3rd, 2008, 5:12am EST by Gunner

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Posted: November 12th, 2008, 3:19am EST by Gunner

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Posted: October 1st, 2008, 2:38pm EDT by Gunner

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Posted: September 22nd, 2008, 7:30am EDT by Gunner

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Posted: September 16th, 2008, 3:27pm EDT by Gunner

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Posted: September 5th, 2008, 4:17am EDT by Gunner

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Posted: September 1st, 2008, 3:49am EDT by Gunner

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Posted: August 2nd, 2008, 1:03am EDT by Gunner

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Posted: July 28th, 2008, 11:08pm EDT by Gunner

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Posted: July 22nd, 2008, 2:46pm EDT by Gunner

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