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Ask a Mormon

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stickski
Posts: 1938 - Karma: 1,529
What's up guys, I know ns is pretty anti-religion but I thought it'd be cool to have you guys ask whatever you want and I'll do my best to give you guys accurate responses. I'm LDS but I have a bit of a nuanced approach to religion so we may have more in common than you think. It'll be cool if we get some legit questions in here but it is nsg so I'm prepared for the worst!
Jan 12 2014 12:27AM
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chicken
Posts: 6843 - Karma: 2,123
I realize that there are mormons who would vote in favour of gay marriage (as they should). But still the fact of the matter is that a huge amount opposition comes from the mormon community.

It's not just mormons though, it's basically christians in general. How many atheists do you think oppose gay marriage? Probably close to none.
Jan 18 2014 2:22PM
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theVan
Posts: 204 - Karma: 225
haha! spirit prison! kiss my ass all day long with that crap. the Truth? what Truth? what a load of insulting idiotic brainwashing spiritual retardation. That's some fucked up shit right there. I assure you, not my Soul nor that of any other child of god regardless of race or belief system or walk of Life (including you and your selfish, ignorant, holier than thou chosen load of crap) shall ever be denied entrance into the Unconditional and overwhelming embrace of Eternal Love and Light.

People who aren't Mormon are no different in ANY way than those who are
Jan 18 2014 2:37PM
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B.Aussie
Posts: 5852 - Karma: 4,531
What percentage of the population are atheist versus agnosticism, christian and other religions though?
Jan 18 2014 2:54PM
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stickski
Posts: 1938 - Karma: 1,529
That wasn't a question, nor has it added to the dialogue whatsoever. It's interesting that I was describing how mormons believe in universalism and you picked out spirit prison out of the entire statement upon which to build your argument for universalism. You're right in a way, everyone has the opportunity to dwell with God in this life or the next.
Jan 18 2014 2:56PM
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stickski
Posts: 1938 - Karma: 1,529
Roughly 78% of americans identify as christians (Mormons make up 1% of that) 4% of americans identify as atheists/agnostics. 16% of americans identify as not affiliated (atheists/agnostics are included in that percent).
Jan 18 2014 3:03PM
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chicken
Posts: 6843 - Karma: 2,123
I find this hard to believe. I wonder if "christian" includes non-practicing christians?

Like some of my family members identify as christians, but it's more of a cultural thing than a religion. They have never been to a church except for weddings/funerals, have never read the bible, etc. I mean for all intensive purposes they are non-religious, but might still check "christian" on the box of a survey, because they don't really care.

Maybe it's also because i'm from Canada though. I just don't know very many religious people. Although as I said before, most of my friends are educated and relatively wealthy, so my own observations might be biased.
Jan 18 2014 3:57PM
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stickski
Posts: 1938 - Karma: 1,529
Ya I definitely agree with you, it almost certainly is people who identify as christians, it doesn't specify any level of involvement.
Jan 18 2014 7:51PM
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louie.mirags
Posts: 6015 - Karma: 5,029
^Yeah those percentages of Christians in America is Def way off. The different churches have just instilled so much guilt on people that they are afraid to admit to other people and their family what they actually believe. Most people would rather just keep calling themselves Christains... easier that way.
Jan 18 2014 8:29PM
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louie.mirags
Posts: 6015 - Karma: 5,029
Dub post but I take back "most" people, that was too subjective. Just some people's case..
Jan 18 2014 8:31PM
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theVan
Posts: 204 - Karma: 225
I already asked you the question. Your response is what I am replied to. You seem to be laboring under the delusion that only Mormons are favored by the Almighty and that the rest of us get stuck in "spirit prison"...that is hardly a Universal belief structure. It's world of judgement, ignorance and self righteous garbage. There is no "spirit prison" for anyone to be offered some last chance to convert to some nonexistent horseshit. God is not a bearded man, nor is it a Mormon.
Jan 18 2014 8:43PM
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stickski
Posts: 1938 - Karma: 1,529
I'll refer you to my initial response: "When you die you are sorted into either spirit paradise or prison. People who aren't mormon will initially be sorted into spirit prison (I'm assuming, I have no idea where the cut-off is) then they will have the truth preached to them in heaven and if they choose to accept it they will have the opportunity to go to heaven. Basically, anyone that is willing to (in this life or the next) can make it to heaven. God loves you whether you choose to accept his gifts or not."

I openly admitted that I have no idea where the cut off is... Second, I admitted that anyone who is willing can go to heaven, that is universal. I get it, you don't like the church and that's fine.
Jan 18 2014 10:10PM
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theVan
Posts: 204 - Karma: 225
You're right, I don't not like the LDS church, I find it disgusting and evil. Suggesting there is some sort of cut off or prison is outrageous. Who did Jesus ever talk about denying? Let's go around the world knocking on peoples doors telling them that they will be stuck in spiritual prison and denied entrance to the Almighty's kingdom unless they repent and accept our bullshit made up story.

Kudos to you however for being resilient to your requested flak attack. It's also worth noting I am from Utah and I was raised LDS and baptized and the whole thing. I did my time in the trenches, I know all about it.
Jan 18 2014 11:03PM
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Ye_ol_wild_Koala
Posts: 270 - Karma: 121
How about you answer my question on page five?

Jan 18 2014 11:13PM
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stickski
Posts: 1938 - Karma: 1,529
I've answered it all in the thread haha. I'm 20, live in utah, 0 kids.
Jan 19 2014 12:16AM
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stickski
Posts: 1938 - Karma: 1,529
Is time in the trenches referring to a mission? Anyway, I'm interested in hearing your story. I respect your conclusion, I think you're way off base with some things but we may agree on more than you think. How do you feel about Joseph Smith?
Jan 19 2014 12:22AM
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iH8pow
Posts: 1808 - Karma: 7,689
u mean little cottonwood canyon where they mine the granite for the temple and all? do you have any of that granite?
Jan 19 2014 12:30AM
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theVan
Posts: 204 - Karma: 225
I think concluding that 99.99% of the Earths Human population is withheld from immediate release and liberation at death of the physical body is OFF BASE.

I feel that Joseph Smith was a polyamorous cradle nabbing con artist and absolutely not spiritual or religious in any way, shape or form.
Jan 19 2014 2:04PM
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stickski
Posts: 1938 - Karma: 1,529
Very contentious, but fair enough. You only answered half my questions, I already know you don't like the church, I wondered if you didn't like the current institution or the whole thing so I asked you about Joseph Smith.
Jan 19 2014 2:23PM
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stickski
Posts: 1938 - Karma: 1,529
No... I meant alta. I ski at alta not in the canyon. But there is a granite quarry up LCC that they used to build the salt lake temple, I don't have any piece of it though.
Jan 19 2014 2:25PM
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theVan
Posts: 204 - Karma: 225
Well, now you know
Jan 19 2014 3:23PM
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shocker611
Posts: 2599 - Karma: 423
why do mormons often refer to themselves as Christians when it is convenient, yet all throughout the scriptures they curse Christianity/Christians?
Jan 20 2014 9:20PM
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ModMommy
Posts: 10815 - Karma: 57,160
Why is it that men are called Elder when they're off on missions?
Jan 20 2014 9:23PM
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SFB
Posts: 8895 - Karma: 26,352
is it true mormons worship raptor jesus??
Jan 20 2014 9:24PM
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stickski
Posts: 1938 - Karma: 1,529
Examples? I'm not aware of our scriptures cursing christians. We are christians, we just don't believe in the nicene creed. The essence of your question is interesting however, mormons do walk a tight rope where we want to be seen as normal americans and be accepted as traditional christians, but we also want to be seen as distinct from all other forms of christianity/other religions. If you want to know more, I would look into "Banishing the Cross" by Michael G. Reed (there's a youtube presentation of his thesis if you don't want to buy the book).
Jan 20 2014 9:30PM
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louie.mirags
Posts: 6015 - Karma: 5,029
Is it true that Mormons believe in fairy tales?
Jan 20 2014 9:32PM
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shocker611
Posts: 2599 - Karma: 423
Behold there are save two churches only; the one is the Church of the Lamb of God and the other is the church of the devil; wherefore whoso belongeth not to the church of the lamb of God belongeth to that great church; which is the mother of abominations; and she is the whore of all the earth. - The book of mormon

"I was answered that I must join none of them (Christian Churches), for they were all wrong...that all their creeds were an abomination in His sight" - Joseph Smith himself


Jan 20 2014 9:39PM
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stickski
Posts: 1938 - Karma: 1,529
Hey good question. There are different offices in the priesthood. 12-14 year old boys are deacons 14-16 are teachers and 16-18 are priests. When you turn 19 you receive the Melchizedek priesthood (the higher level of the priesthood) and are ordained as an elder. It's really just the title our church gives to distinguish that specific age group. I am an elder even though I'm not on a mission, most elders just go on missions during this age so that is why.
Jan 20 2014 9:46PM
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ModMommy
Posts: 10815 - Karma: 57,160
That was actually super helpful, thanks!
Jan 20 2014 9:52PM
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stickski
Posts: 1938 - Karma: 1,529
Ok cool, I see where you're coming from now. The book of mormon references the "great abominable church" many times. However you're splicing together two quotes that don't really correlate. The great and abominable church referenced in the book of mormon refers to satan, evil, and his followers. It's interesting that the ambiguity of that phrase has led some contemporary mormons to make the case that it refers to muslims. However, it really does not relate to any denomination, I promise.

On to the Joseph Smith quote. Here is the full quote in context. 19 I was answered that I must join none of them, for they were all awrong; and the Personage who addressed me said that all their creeds were an abomination in his sight; that thosebprofessors were all ccorrupt; that: “they ddraw near to me with their lips, but their ehearts are far from me, they teach for doctrines the fcommandments of men, having a form of godliness, but they deny the gpower thereof.”

"Abomination" may be a bit too strong for my taste but we do believe that all churches have part of the truth and preach many good things but ultimately believe the fullness of the truth was restored to Joseph Smith.
Jan 20 2014 9:56PM
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stickski
Posts: 1938 - Karma: 1,529
No.
Jan 20 2014 9:59PM
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catsRjerks
Posts: 291 - Karma: 1,163
Is it true during baptisms, the leader of the church just pees in your butt?
Jan 20 2014 10:07PM
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Darth.Maul
Posts: 2472 - Karma: 652
Only if you pee in the baptismal font.
Jan 20 2014 10:46PM
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louie.mirags
Posts: 6015 - Karma: 5,029
Yeah, a random dude living in the 1800s has all the answers...

Click for larger image
Jan 20 2014 11:46PM
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theVan
Posts: 204 - Karma: 225
what about FLYING Raptor Jesus? or have we had it wrong all along and it's actually a Flying Raptor Joseph Smith? It's probably that.
Jan 20 2014 11:53PM
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stickski
Posts: 1938 - Karma: 1,529
Hey man, I respect your opinion, but you're not being very productive.
Jan 21 2014 12:12AM
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stickski
Posts: 1938 - Karma: 1,529
Your interest in this thread but unwillingness to produce any constructive dialogue intrigues me. Food for thought. “It is my duty to say to you that the need was never greater [for] new revelation than now.” “The doctrine of inspiration is lost. … Miracles, prophecy, … the holy life, exist as ancient history [only]. … Men have come to speak of … revelation as somewhat long ago given and done, as if God were dead. … It is the office of a true teacher,” he warned, “to show us that God is, not was; that He speaketh, not spake.” –Ralph Waldo Emerson
Jan 21 2014 12:18AM
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louie.mirags
Posts: 6015 - Karma: 5,029
Because at one time I was a practicing Catholic until I realized what religion was all about. And by practicing I mean I was raised by strict Catholic parents and I had no choice. So people who are still caught up in religion intrigue me. I often wonder when the exact moment I realized that I did not need some made up story about miracles to be a good person. Mormons intrigue me the most since their Religion is younger than this country. Also, you guys believe in magic... very interesting
Jan 21 2014 1:07AM
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shocker611
Posts: 2599 - Karma: 423
And I wouldn't have an issue with that if you guys didn't claim to be christian when it is convenient. It's all good that you guys have your own belief system, but claim it as such and stop trying to become a part of something that you clearly are not, and something that quite frankly doesn't see you as a part of it. There's been a couple of times in talking to missionaries (I've become quite good friends with some from living in Utah)that they've found out that I'm Christian and tried to use that as a means to get me to consider mormonism by equating it to Christianity, although it isn't. There are more quotes than those, just the first two I found.
Jan 21 2014 5:09AM
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stickski
Posts: 1938 - Karma: 1,529
I don't think we claim to be christian when it is convenient. We believe we are christian, we know other christians don't accept us as christians but there's really nothing we can do about that. It's really just a matter of differing beliefs. We are The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. We believe that Jesus Christ is our savior and died for our sins. Why are we clearly not christians?
Jan 21 2014 6:21PM
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stickski
Posts: 1938 - Karma: 1,529
That's the cool thing about religion though, we both can reach different conclusions from examining the same body of evidence and I respect that. I don't need stories about miracles to make me a good person either, you fail to grasp what religion is about and I won't lecture you on something you don't want to hear. What intrigues me is that people say the book of mormon is too young, the bible is too old, there's no time period skeptics would find acceptable.
Jan 21 2014 6:32PM
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louie.mirags
Posts: 6015 - Karma: 5,029
How old do you view this planet and universe?? If the standard bible answer is ~6000 yrs, how do you explain: https://www.newschoolers.com/ns/forums/readthread/thread_id/772531/ ?
Jan 23 2014 5:53PM
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mski
Posts: 4791 - Karma: 3,803
You are nice people most of the time, but your passive aggressive intolerance bothers me a bit. I understand you want to life your lives the way you want to (like everyone else in this world) but just because your morals don't match perfectly with your neighbors doesn't mean they are wrong.

Also, your book has some pretty misleading stuff in it. Just remember your in a religion, which is just a view point/ theory on life as we know it and how to conduct yourself in it.

So honestly, and this goes for every religion, realize the stories that have created your faith were created to inspire just that ... faith. And SHOULD NOT BE TAKEN LITERALLY

end rant post
Jan 23 2014 6:05PM
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mitch97
Posts: 11 - Karma: 195
been watching south park?
Jan 23 2014 6:12PM
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stickski
Posts: 1938 - Karma: 1,529
Yes, the universe is billions of years old, the bible is very roughly around 6000 years old, I fail to see how this disproves mormonism. Etiologies were how ancient prophets understood their world. Again, it's perfectly fine that you disagree with me, that just wasn't a good argument.
Jan 23 2014 7:07PM
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stickski
Posts: 1938 - Karma: 1,529
Irony, that you lead with that premise then tell a group how to live their lives and interpret their own scripture. I do agree we (church members) need to do a better job of loving others and being more respectful of differing beliefs. We do believe in our religion literally and have every right to, don't expect that to change. It's more about how we fit into the political spectrum, we should allow you to do what you want legally and we should be able to believe what we want however literally we're inclined.
Jan 23 2014 7:16PM
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spliff.Life
Posts: 7847 - Karma: 1,549
but doesnt the bible disagree with this theory of a universe and earth existing before gods creation?
Jan 23 2014 7:19PM
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stickski
Posts: 1938 - Karma: 1,529
I'll restate what I wrote, Etiologies were how ancient prophets understood their world. Look up William Lane Craig's "Kalam Cosmological Argument" as my response to the world existing before God created it.
Jan 23 2014 7:26PM
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spliff.Life
Posts: 7847 - Karma: 1,549
but that doesnt really have to do with anything about when it was created, and certainly does also not agree with what history has shown us

the argument just attempts to prove gods existence

(1) Everything that has a beginning of its existence has a cause of its existence.
(2) The universe has a beginning of its existence.
Therefore:
(3) The universe has a cause of its existence.
(4) If the universe has a cause of its existence then that cause is God.
Therefore:
(5) God exists.

lets change something
(1) Everything that has a beginning of its existence has a cause of its existence.
(2) An Ipod has a beginning of its existence.
Therefore:
(3) An ipod has a cause of its existence.
(4) If An ipod has a cause of its existence then that cause is God.
Therefore:
(5) God exists.

Jan 23 2014 7:45PM
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catsRjerks
Posts: 291 - Karma: 1,163

not that i even care about the whole argument about God or whatever.

as speed increases time changes and at the speed of light time is thought to be infinite, so no, not neccessarily everything has a point of existence... just thought provoking.

Jan 23 2014 8:18PM
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stickski
Posts: 1938 - Karma: 1,529
I know, I'm just showing that the big bang theory, evolution etc. hasn't dis-proven the existence of God.
Jan 23 2014 9:18PM
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