Search found 286 matches

by LaMachina
Mon Dec 18, 2017 11:26 am
Forum: Doctrinal Discussion
Topic: 21st century social conventions
Replies: 45
Views: 39538

Re: 21st century social conventions

Whenever I consider this type of argument I wonder why the divine individuals at the very top get a pass. Observing people trying to twist the purported sayings of Jesus into modern life or attempting to defend God's own immorality as it appears in the scriptures is an interesting exercise. But it's...
by LaMachina
Tue Dec 12, 2017 10:52 am
Forum: Doctrinal Discussion
Topic: A Simple World View
Replies: 16
Views: 9434

Re: A Simple World View

Great suggestions so far.

My first real exposure to this sort of thing was - A demon haunted world by Carl Sagan.
I was pretty ticked I did not find him sooner, he's fantastic.
by LaMachina
Tue Dec 12, 2017 10:49 am
Forum: Support
Topic: Some thoughts on life...
Replies: 14
Views: 7273

Re: Some thoughts on life...

I have the same thoughts all the time. I went through some tough losses while still struggling to hold onto my faith and, while it's never, ever easy to deal with loss, I believe I find it easier to deal with now as an atheist/humanist than it was as I believer. I can't even really explain it but I ...
by LaMachina
Tue Dec 12, 2017 10:35 am
Forum: The Coffee Shop
Topic: Soundtrack of the NOM
Replies: 138
Views: 79993

Re: Soundtrack of the NOM

Some of the tough topics on NOM lately have brought this song to mind. We are born in a diamond mine. It's all around you but you can't see it...

Creature Comfort - Arcade Fire

It's not painless...
by LaMachina
Tue Dec 12, 2017 10:26 am
Forum: Support
Topic: My sister has taken her own life
Replies: 36
Views: 16368

Re: My sister has taken her own life

I'm sorry for your loss, Sparky. Hearing this and the other stories shared in this thread breaks my heart. I live with someone who suffers from mental illness and fears of the worst never quite leave the back of my brain. My condolences...
by LaMachina
Fri Dec 08, 2017 10:19 am
Forum: Doctrinal Discussion
Topic: Higher Historical Criticism and Mormon Doctrine
Replies: 22
Views: 13363

Re: Higher Historical Criticism and Mormon Doctrine

I find religious history and the way it all weaves together and rips apart fascinating but I'm curious how you find it can be faith promoting exactly? It depends on how you view faith. If faith means orthodoxy and requiring a literal understanding of scripture, then this would be faith destroying. ...
by LaMachina
Fri Dec 08, 2017 9:53 am
Forum: Doctrinal Discussion
Topic: Higher Historical Criticism and Mormon Doctrine
Replies: 22
Views: 13363

Re: Higher Historical Criticism and Mormon Doctrine

I find religious history and the way it all weaves together and rips apart fascinating but I'm curious how you find it can be faith promoting exactly? Is it because all interpretations can have a certain validity? Or maybe the doubt cast on the divinity of one religion's formation opens the door for...
by LaMachina
Thu Dec 07, 2017 7:20 pm
Forum: Doctrinal Discussion
Topic: God and Mary the mother of Jesus
Replies: 35
Views: 30704

Re: God and Mary the mother of Jesus

Palerider wrote:
Thu Dec 07, 2017 6:17 pm
I'm pretty disappointed. ;)
The feeling is mutual. Although no winky face for me as I'm genuinely disappointed if not terribly surprised.
by LaMachina
Thu Dec 07, 2017 3:37 pm
Forum: Doctrinal Discussion
Topic: God and Mary the mother of Jesus
Replies: 35
Views: 30704

Re: God and Mary the mother of Jesus

The "Ugh" is a response to the condescension which appears to be doubled down on, so...double Ugh? ;) Despite our occasional interactions on this form we don't know each other at all so the presumption that I, or others who've come to certain conclusions you don't subcribe to, are unstudied, shallow...
by LaMachina
Thu Dec 07, 2017 11:32 am
Forum: Support
Topic: Timothy Leary, the Holy Ghost and a new kind of religion
Replies: 16
Views: 11700

Re: Timothy Leary, the Holy Ghost and a new kind of religion

Sounds fascinating. I've read a lot of Sam Harris, including Waking Up, and for being such an ardent anti-theist, he is a huge proponent of scientific "spirituality". Mostly he advocates meditation but he does somewhat hesitantly suggest that psychedelics can be very mind expanding. I've never tried...
by LaMachina
Thu Dec 07, 2017 9:08 am
Forum: Doctrinal Discussion
Topic: God and Mary the mother of Jesus
Replies: 35
Views: 30704

Re: God and Mary the mother of Jesus

The scriptures may appear contradictory to the unstudied but they also warn the reader that there will be shallow people who will attempt to twist them for their own purposes. As Peter says regarding Paul's writings: "(Paul) writes the same way in all his letters, speaking in them of these matters....
by LaMachina
Wed Dec 06, 2017 9:25 pm
Forum: Doctrinal Discussion
Topic: God and Mary the mother of Jesus
Replies: 35
Views: 30704

Re: God and Mary the mother of Jesus

I heard about the theory in seminary but it was dismissed as a "mystery". From what I can tell it was common knowledge once upon a time but went the way of many mormon ideas that made people uncomfortable: Melvin J. Ballard: as to whether or not his was a virgin birth, a birth wherein divine power i...
by LaMachina
Wed Dec 06, 2017 8:33 am
Forum: Doctrinal Discussion
Topic: God and Mary the mother of Jesus
Replies: 35
Views: 30704

Re: God and Mary the mother of Jesus

Now concerning the things whereof ye wrote unto me: It is good for a man not to touch a woman... I say therefore to the unmarried and widows, It is good for them if they abide even as I. But if they cannot contain, let them marry: for it is better to marry than to burn. I agree that good ole Joe ex...
by LaMachina
Wed Dec 06, 2017 8:13 am
Forum: Doctrinal Discussion
Topic: Hey we believe in grace too!
Replies: 13
Views: 7472

Re: Hey we believe in grace too!

Do the gospels and/or Jesus really say anything different than "we are saved after all we can do"? If they do, I haven't seen it. It's one of those frustratingly circular arguments - I'm saved by Jesus - which means good works - which means I'm saved by Jesus- which means good works...on and on ad i...
by LaMachina
Mon Dec 04, 2017 4:50 pm
Forum: Doctrinal Discussion
Topic: God and Mary the mother of Jesus
Replies: 35
Views: 30704

Re: God and Mary the mother of Jesus

I think that fleshes out exactly my point. Sex isn't degrading and most Christians/Mormons would agree (within limits) yet Christianity has fetishized virginity thanks to ideas like the perpetually virginal Mary and Jesus, plus Paul's stance on what makes one truly worthy to serve God. Why is it deg...
by LaMachina
Mon Dec 04, 2017 2:46 pm
Forum: Doctrinal Discussion
Topic: God and Mary the mother of Jesus
Replies: 35
Views: 30704

Re: God and Mary the mother of Jesus

I had to laugh over the idea of going back to paganism to solve this problem. After all, Zeus was known to have all kinds of affairs with mortals. He was constantly having sex with human woman, much to his wife's anger. :D That's exactly what I'm rooting for! Of course it can be argued how healthy ...
by LaMachina
Mon Dec 04, 2017 10:56 am
Forum: Doctrinal Discussion
Topic: God and Mary the mother of Jesus
Replies: 35
Views: 30704

Re: God and Mary the mother of Jesus

In honor of Christmas time here are some questions I have been wondering about: * Was Jesus the literal son of God and Mary? I think in order for Mormon doctrine to work out, he had to be. (1/2 God, 1/2 man and therefore uniquely able to perform the atonement and resurrection). According to Mormon ...
by LaMachina
Wed Nov 29, 2017 11:43 am
Forum: Doctrinal Discussion
Topic: Why is D&C 19 not a bigger deal?
Replies: 20
Views: 11028

Re: Why is D&C 19 not a bigger deal?

Two things come to mind: 1) The D&C is easily the least read book in mormon canon. Besides some odd verses here and there (like the Eternal punishment section) mormons don't read it. Honestly I never put two and two together on that section til your post. I don't know if I've ever read that particul...
by LaMachina
Wed Nov 29, 2017 10:29 am
Forum: Doctrinal Discussion
Topic: Brushes with "the other side"?
Replies: 209
Views: 158037

Re: Brushes with "the other side"?

My conclusion after having and studying the experience is that human life is about experiencing being human, that is all, experiencing the good and bad. That is what our 'eternal' being is curious about. As for what is reality, we are always in a projected, or manifested reality. I like the conclus...
by LaMachina
Mon Nov 27, 2017 10:23 am
Forum: Doctrinal Discussion
Topic: Brushes with "the other side"?
Replies: 209
Views: 158037

Re: Brushes with "the other side"?

I am fascinated by the discussion. Perhaps my biggest problem with putting much stock in anecdotes of a clearly distressed or injured brain is how clearly we know our perceptions are fallible. I know I've mentioned this book somewhere before but have you had the chance to read "My stroke of insight"...