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Ask A Mormon

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*DELETED*
Posts: 1043 - Karma: 938
Lately on NS i've been seeing a lot of threads on religion. While I feel that the majority of NS'ers are Atheistic, I decided to make a thread that focuses instead on Theism; specifically Mormonism.

I think that a huge part of life is not only tolerance but acceptance; and for those of you who are curious or just wanna butt heads feel free to ask questions or discuss. Ill only respond to the questions I feel are serious and will attempt to answer them to the best of my abilities.
Jul 10 2012 1:04AM
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JIBpsy^^
Posts: 2851 - Karma: 36
how did you become mormon?
also what could possibly be wrong with coffee and booze?
Jul 10 2012 1:05AM
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Swaggermager
Posts: 2576 - Karma: 950
threads for the interesting mormon facts
Jul 10 2012 1:20AM
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*DELETED*
Posts: 1043 - Karma: 938
I was born a mormon; however I was a staunch Athiest for close to five years. About three years ago I decided to put religion to the test and here I am again.

As far as coffee and booze goes, it has to do with history more than "evil". Coffee back in the 1800's was the primary stimulant for Americans and at the time and the Mormon church takes almost a "naturalistic/organic" approach to food and beverage. As for why it is specifically outlined in our "Word of Wisdom"; it has more to do with obedience and self control than anything else. Individuals are supposed to abide by the "word of wisdom" as they see fit.

To understand the restriction of booze you have to understand Mormon morals. The LDS religion focuses HEAVILY on the concept of free personal agency. In short, booze is restricted because it inhibits decision making/ leads to you making decisions you wouldnt normally make, can be addictive, and can damage your body ("body is a temple")

Sorry ive spent quite a bit of time on this response if somethin's not clear feel free to ask!
Jul 10 2012 1:21AM
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Panda_with_Guns
Posts: 3040 - Karma: 1,620
Tell me about the guy who wrote the book of Mormon. I saw the south park but I'm not really knowledge on that
Jul 10 2012 1:29AM
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Panchuk
Posts: 1610 - Karma: 355
If you take out the M it's just Moron.
Jul 10 2012 1:32AM
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Davy.Crockett
Posts: 5373 - Karma: 324
Is it true that you guys maturbate into each others bibles as a prank?
Jul 10 2012 1:34AM
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Tinga
Posts: 11349 - Karma: 2,333
is soaking a real thing?
Jul 10 2012 1:36AM
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Where-am-I
Posts: 1635 - Karma: 281
explain this transition please, what did putting religion to the test entail
Jul 10 2012 1:43AM
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MitchPee
Posts: 8871 - Karma: 1,509
I'm sorry but the church takes a "naturalist/organic" approach to food and beverage? Coffee is 100% organic and for the church's stance:

You should look up an organization called Farmland Reserve Inc. This is a direct subsidiary of the LDS church that produces mass scale (opposite of naturalist and organic) production of farmed goods. Not only do they use massive amounts of chemicals in their growth, but they have been known to gentrify local farmers who also belong to the LDS faith and have owned their farms for generations (this of course is not just the LDS church, but corporate America farming). This example is a huge issue in the sacrifice of morals for money which is not just the LDS churches, but most religious organizations in general.

Organizations do not prohibit the usage of substances because they are "bad for your health". If that were the case your bishop would have denounced McDonald's hamburgers long, long ago since many more people die of poor diet/heart related illnesses than booze related ones.

I think it's great that people have something to believe in. Most Mormons and my friends that are Mormon are amazing people as well as highly educated. I just wish someone would stand up to some of the hypocrisy and overbearingness of the LDS bureaucracy.
Jul 10 2012 1:50AM
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*DELETED*
Posts: 1043 - Karma: 938
Fulltime missionaries (around ages 19-21 generally) wear name tags (at least in my eyes) because it is a distinguishing feature and is widely known that they do so and as such are easily identifiable.
Jul 10 2012 1:54AM
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*DELETED*
Posts: 1043 - Karma: 938
Be a bit more specific.. Can't say I've ever heard of the term 'soaking'.
Jul 10 2012 1:55AM
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Jahburn
Posts: 257 - Karma: 32
it is the act of letting the males penis rest in the sheath of the vagina. No thrusting thus not considered sex by some people.
Jul 10 2012 1:58AM
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emopoppins
Posts: 3996 - Karma: 269
why do you believe the words of a prophet who declared that he was a prophet (of his own free agency) of god in the 1800's in America, who also "found tablets inscribed with the word of god" half way across the globe from where the original alleged "son of god (Jesus Christ)" was? just a little fishy to me.

and why do humans have to be the special ones that when we die we get to go to heaven, while all the other living breathing organisms (plants, bacteria, and blacks included) apparently didn't have the free will or agency to pick sides with an unknown deity and "save" themselves?

you mormons are fucked in the head, as is anyone else who has faith in something besides the natural life energy that flows through everything on earth, that will keep being long after humans destroy their own race, and all that's left to enjoy it are the cockroaches and little bacteria fuckers that breathe sulfur coming out of magma vents at the bottom of the ocean.
Jul 10 2012 2:10AM
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*DELETED*
Posts: 1043 - Karma: 938
Using the term naturalistic/organic was a bad call on my part. More appropriately, I would call their approach one that attempts to avoid bodily harm and keep you in tip top shape. The "word of wisdom" (jumping to your mcdonalds argument) was first published in I believe 1833. While obviously mcdonalds is never specifically mentioned, it states that meat should be eaten sparingly.

You have an extremely valid argument and I agree with you 100%. It's obviously a controversial subject and heart disease kills more people than cancer annually. However, in my mind we have a brain and we need to approach these things logically. Obviously trans fat is beyond bad for you, as well as half the ingredients contained in any big mac. It would only make sense to stay away from it. The cliche 'God gave me a brain to reason with' argument fits quite well in my opinion on this. It wouldn't suprise me to see in the next few years Church officials begin to focus more on the issues of health eating, specifically that of fast food, as well as the obesity epidemic.

As far as Farmland Reserve Inc. goes, I know next to nothing. Your statement that they use "massive amounts of chemicals in their growth" seems overbearing at best; How much pesticide/herbicide is too much? It's a controversial subject. Also, could you put links to this as well as expound on the "sacrifice of morals for money" argument?
Jul 10 2012 2:11AM
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bnewbs6
Posts: 1919 - Karma: 1,463
This is an awesome thread!
Jul 10 2012 2:11AM
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snowdon
Posts: 2480 - Karma: 391
In your opinion, what's the best thing about being mormon? The worst? If you had to choose another religion, what would it be?
Jul 10 2012 2:14AM
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*DELETED*
Posts: 1043 - Karma: 938
The plates you are reffering to is know as the "Book of Mormon" and they detail the story of the peoples inhabiting the Americas from 500 b.c. til sometime around 600 a.d (sorry the numbers are a bit rough).

As to your argument of why humans are the special ones I'm left a bit befuttled.. It's quite obvious that humans are the only creatures capable of REASON. Does that make us special? Perhaps. Does this make us more important than animals or other creatures? Hard to say. However, it makes us unique.
Jul 10 2012 2:17AM
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*DELETED*
Posts: 1043 - Karma: 938
Hahaha no. Definitely not.
Jul 10 2012 2:19AM
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*DELETED*
Posts: 1043 - Karma: 938
I know this is going to sound over-sentimental, but honestly it's the joy I feel from learning and being a part of it. When I was an athiest there was just a dreariness to life; now life seems much more worth living and joyfull. The worst would have to be the fact that many Mormons can be pretty judgmental (imo) and as with a lot of people think their opinion or way of life is the only correct path to be traveled.

As far as another religion, I would probably say Lutheran or Taoism. However, I am quite certain the Mormon church is where I need to be and have no intent on leaving.
Jul 10 2012 2:26AM
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JWoods
Posts: 2369 - Karma: 2,635
I can't believe that after you were an atheist for 5 years and then you decided to go BACK to Mormonism. Why the hell would you make such an idiotic decision. I understand that from the point of someone who is atheist that the thought of all religions is pretty silly, but mormonism is horrid. The fact that Mormons call themselves Christian is what really gets me. First off they believe that a prophet is here on Earth living right now. That's not christian. They also believe that everyone is an individual god when they ascend to heaven. That's not christian. Plus the stuff that this "religion" actually endorses is disgusting. Up until like 20 years ago Mormons taught that the reason people of different races were colored were because they had the Mark of Cain. I can't believe this shit. So I'm going to leave you with this

Jul 10 2012 2:28AM
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bfulmer
Posts: 3053 - Karma: 1,975
why do all mormons hate potato chips?
Jul 10 2012 2:29AM
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*DELETED*
Posts: 1043 - Karma: 938
For me, putting religion to the test meant reading the Book of Mormon and then praying about it.
Jul 10 2012 2:30AM
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El_Barto.
Posts: 11661 - Karma: 24,354
does your dad have multiple wives?
Jul 10 2012 2:38AM
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cwphoto
Posts: 2332 - Karma: 780
that was a fun video to watch
Jul 10 2012 2:39AM
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Haellgren
Posts: 792 - Karma: 86
I read "Ask a Moron" and has now been laughing for 5 minutes.
Jul 10 2012 2:40AM
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LoathesRaisins
Posts: 3612 - Karma: 4,735
So when you go to Mormon heaven, why do you have to accept the Mormon beliefs? What happens if you don't? Do you go to hell? Quality thread though.
Jul 10 2012 2:40AM
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crunkiest
Posts: 369 - Karma: 21
wow those mormons got scshooled on everything christian by that black dude
Jul 10 2012 2:42AM
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quixotic
Posts: 6937 - Karma: 2,978
i went to high school with a mormon kid and he said that he wasn't allowed to beat it and that the first time he will have an orgasm is when he pops his wifes cherry after they get married. was that just him or was that some mormon thing?
Jul 10 2012 2:44AM
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deleted5
Posts: 14507 - Karma: 13,507
Is the story on south park 100% true about your religion.
Jul 10 2012 2:45AM
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ImNotARacist
Posts: 5136 - Karma: -1,030
Do you even know anything about your religion?
Jul 10 2012 2:51AM
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daannnnieel
Posts: 5163 - Karma: 4,293
whenever I see the word moron, I think of Mormon. Whenever I see the word Mormon, I think of moron. I came to this thread in hopes of asking a moron some questions. As you can see now, i'm disappointed.
Jul 10 2012 2:53AM
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JWoods
Posts: 2369 - Karma: 2,635
Same difference most of the time
Jul 10 2012 2:59AM
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*DELETED*
Posts: 1043 - Karma: 938
They got owned to say the least. The part about Jesus being rejected especially (roman persecution). Honestly tho, that was really the only solid "ownage" that took place. The missionaries did a terrible job backing themselves up but all the "true christian" did was make generalized statements. His entire argument for "the book of mormon is unneeded" was weaker than weak. The bible is written works that were COMPILED later; so does that make all the dead sea scrolls and other religious texts not the word of god? Debatable. The same argument can be made for the book of mormon. The black dude was also extremely hypocritical throughout the video. He would repeatedly dominate the conversation and then get pissed off when the whities tried to talk.

On a separate note to what you specifically mentioned, if you truly understood the Mormon religion you'd realize all your accusations/claims are off kilter. Starting with the Christian part, no, Mormon's aren't specifically Christians. The definition Christian means that they must believe in a monotheistic godhead so I suppose technically speaking mormons are not traditional christians.

The "ascend to heaven and become an individual god" is not true. The Mark of Cain has nothing to do with colored people or "different races" as well. The Mark of Cain was specifically the loss of the Priesthood power (or rather the ability to act in God's name). Hopefully that cleared up the misconception.
Jul 10 2012 3:01AM
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crunkiest
Posts: 369 - Karma: 21
OP is now offline...
Jul 10 2012 3:01AM
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crunkiest
Posts: 369 - Karma: 21
hah he was going on a mission to NS
Jul 10 2012 3:02AM
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Darth.Maul
Posts: 2472 - Karma: 652
And what does that have to do with the thread? Its 1 am here. Can't a man get some sleep?
Jul 10 2012 3:03AM
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*DELETED*
Posts: 1043 - Karma: 938
Haha definitely not. I watched it and they mostly played off of things that happened with exaggeration. I thought it was pretty humorous tho. More than anything else, its very loosely based upon the Joseph Smith story but is nothing more than a caricature.
Jul 10 2012 3:09AM
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*DELETED*
Posts: 1043 - Karma: 938
That would be my worst nightmare. Trying to explain the concept of god to a bunch of 12 year olds who have no interest in such a thing as religion.
Jul 10 2012 3:11AM
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daannnnieel
Posts: 5163 - Karma: 4,293
lols.
Jul 10 2012 3:11AM
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JWoods
Posts: 2369 - Karma: 2,635
Hahahah I think it's funny that you interpreted that video as the black guy just trying to dominate the convo, that's not what it was at all. Everything he said in there was true and the missionaries didn't do a good job arguing because they literally had nothing to say. All their arguments were invalid and they knew it.

What you're saying though is that Mormons are not traditional Christians. They aren't Christians at all! And yet your religion states that they are.

And yet you fail to realize that above all else Mormonism is a glorified business that deals as a religion on the side so they can get some tax exempt status. You know the type of fucked up shit that mormons so? Salt Lake City has a huge population of underage homeless kids because occasionally they will come back from their mission and the church and their families will have abandoned them and refuse to take them back.

The racial thing is true though not until veerrryyy recently did they start accepting the "colored people."
Jul 10 2012 3:15AM
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*DELETED*
Posts: 1043 - Karma: 938
You don't have to accept it per-say; More or less there are three "degrees" of heaven; the telestial, terrestrial, and celestial. However, to be able to be acclaimed to the celestial kingdom, you have to accept mormon beliefs at one point in time. While it doesn't need be while you are alive (speaking doctrinally) you must accept it and retain the beliefs before you are admitted. Confusing but hope that helps. Hell is reserved for those who had pure knowledge of God and chose instead to deny him; such as Cain.
Jul 10 2012 3:17AM
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jameskiy
Posts: 396 - Karma: 3
i talked to some religous guy today and pretended i belived in god. it was boring. he said he quit a 100k a year job to teach others about god. i was like. good on you. but really i was like, WWAAAAAAAAAT??? anyhow i died of boredom and yeah.
Jul 10 2012 3:20AM
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jameskiy
Posts: 396 - Karma: 3
oh and it was in the ski lodge and i wanted to go and ski.
Jul 10 2012 3:20AM
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bighomieflock
Posts: 2040 - Karma: 2,445
This might not be related to mormonism, but my neighbors who are mormon always have a ton of food stored in their basement, and I think they mentioned it was related to their faith. Are Mormons encouraged to store food and if so, why?
Jul 10 2012 3:22AM
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Darth.Maul
Posts: 2472 - Karma: 652
In the case of an emergency you will still be able to feed your family, have clean water (if somehow water becomes scarce), and have medical supplies on the ready. Its just preparation for the future.
Jul 10 2012 3:26AM
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Brock.
Posts: 5698 - Karma: 1,332
Do you openly accept people of other religious faith or visible ethnicity into your lives.
Jul 10 2012 3:26AM
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Darth.Maul
Posts: 2472 - Karma: 652
Yes, i have many friends that are catholic as well as black asian whatever. As long as theyre chill, im chill.
Jul 10 2012 3:32AM
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lineskier10
Posts: 11339 - Karma: 796
how does it feel knowing you ruin the state of utah by being there and it would have been so much better if stupid ass joseph smith had found "zion" in the desert in Nevada and not near all the awesome skiinng of utah
Jul 10 2012 3:43AM
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RICK_ROSS
Posts: 6983 - Karma: 3,343
fuck mormons.
Jul 10 2012 5:05AM
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snowbombz
Posts: 2456 - Karma: 96
I'm sorry.

I have read a fair amount of Mormon history, and some of the Book of Mormon, and it's a bunch of racist bullshit. Joseph Smith is one of my idols, not because I believe he was an enlightened savior, but because he was able to have sex with as many women as he wanted (It did come back to haunt him though; his first wife left him upon discovering his other wives). He also had a loyal band of followers that followed him across the country and did his every bidding. Many of the original practices of the LDS Church are no longer PC, so they have been trying to modernize and improve their image, however this does cause conflict between those who consider Joseph Smith to be entirely right and those who don't (ei Colorado City).

A central part of the Book of Mormon is the idea that the Native Americans are actually a lost tribe of Israel, turned red for sinning. Of course, all genetic and archeological evidence supports a slow migration across Northern Russia as the means of populating North America.

The biggest problem I have with Mormonism though is it's history. The Catholic Church has committed horrible, horrible atrocities, but they originated more than a thousand years ago, when science was more or less logical philosophy and mathematics. The Mormon Church originated 150 years ago and has been responsible to the Mountain Meadows Massacre, isolated colonies of polygamists (who literally banish competitive males because the gender balance is disturbed), and an open denial of basic genetics. The Catholic Church has stifled science before (and arguably now), but the Jesuits invented the model for the modern university.

I am not going to proof read what I have just wrote.

I'm a functionalist and a pessimist.

Anyway, I encourage you to Chat with a Mormon on mormon.org, its extremely entertaining...
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Jul 10 2012 8:06AM
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