Search found 420 matches
- Thu Mar 02, 2023 5:14 pm
- Forum: Doctrinal Discussion
- Topic: Reconciling the new temple teachings and literalism
- Replies: 11
- Views: 5228
Re: Reconciling the new temple teachings and literalism
I had a mission companion who insisted that every event and word in the temple presentation involving Adam and Eve was literal history. Even at my most devout, thought that it was plainly obvious that it was a vehicle to teach the audience. But of course I still believed in the creation and fall sto...
- Thu Mar 02, 2023 5:06 pm
- Forum: The Coffee Shop
- Topic: Creator vs Natural Selection
- Replies: 15
- Views: 8572
Re: Creator vs Natural Selection
I suspect it's true that societies need belief in a higher power and will always reinvent religion. Science fiction stories about civilizations that have "moved past" that stage are never entirely convincing to me. But it's hard to imagine a lot of counterfactuals, so who knows. Maybe it has happene...
- Tue Feb 28, 2023 8:52 pm
- Forum: Support
- Topic: Temple attendance, temple recommend, temple, temple temple!
- Replies: 21
- Views: 2162
Re: Temple attendance, temple recommend, temple, temple temple!
Since the last time I've been inside a temple, I've twice been the one to watch various kids outside while someone in the family was getting married. One mistake I won't make again is waiting in the temple's waiting room. It's very boring for kids and they kind of go crazy. I periodically have famil...
- Mon Feb 20, 2023 9:58 am
- Forum: The Coffee Shop
- Topic: Humor Relief
- Replies: 41
- Views: 43716
Re: Humor Relief
In the 2000s there were several popular comedy Web comics that talked a lot about video games. One of them was called Ctrl+Alt+Del. I never read it, personally, because I didn't like the writing or the art. At one point, the creator of that comic decided to have it take a sudden "serious" turn. That...
- Tue Feb 14, 2023 2:17 pm
- Forum: Doctrinal Discussion
- Topic: Ever wished you would just cease to be?
- Replies: 23
- Views: 2757
Re: Ever wished you would just cease to be?
Experiencing anything similar to "this" for eternity sounds like hell to me. I've always liked the idea of the Telestial kingdom, because (insofar as it has any coherent definition at all) it's very similar to this life but without any disease, starvation, injury, death, and so on. How much would t...
- Tue Feb 14, 2023 1:59 pm
- Forum: Doctrinal Discussion
- Topic: Ever wished you would just cease to be?
- Replies: 23
- Views: 2757
Re: Ever wished you would just cease to be?
Intellectually, I realize that I obviously won't care about no longer existing. But I'm still not entirely comfortable with the idea. Maybe it's survival instinct, but I like the idea of continuing to exist. Maybe that's how religions get started. At some low points I guess I've entertained the idea...
- Tue Feb 14, 2023 11:19 am
- Forum: Support
- Topic: Analogies: Radio Vs. Shelf
- Replies: 9
- Views: 891
Re: Analogies: Radio Vs. Shelf
It was only recently that I learned that the shelf analogy is generally credited to Camilla Kimball, wife of Spencer W. Kimball. Because of her family’s hospitality toward searching and studying, Sister Kimball says, “I’ve always had an inquiring mind. I’m not satisfied just to accept things. I like...
- Thu Feb 09, 2023 4:57 pm
- Forum: The Coffee Shop
- Topic: Humor Relief
- Replies: 41
- Views: 43716
Re: Humor Relief
If you don't get that last one, then congratulations. You have not spent way too much time on the Internet.
- Thu Feb 09, 2023 4:47 pm
- Forum: Support
- Topic: Anyone want to discuss the changes to the temple?
- Replies: 37
- Views: 3313
Re: Anyone want to discuss the changes to the temple?
I wonder if the temple experience consisted in sitting in an uncomfortable chair in an empty room for an hour, how many people would keep attending regularly and raving about how fulfilling and enlightening it is. I remember thinking at one point that I might enjoy visiting the temple more if I cou...
- Sun Jan 29, 2023 11:08 am
- Forum: Doctrinal Discussion
- Topic: Can there be an Alma?
- Replies: 9
- Views: 978
Re: Can there be an Alma?
. . . let alone getting that special visit from a ministering angel that none of the self-righteous never-strayers so desperately desire but never get. Yes, one element of the Alma the Younger (or Saul) story that I always found interesting is the way he didn't have to "work" for his testimony by e...
- Sun Jan 29, 2023 10:45 am
- Forum: Doctrinal Discussion
- Topic: Sacrament Meetings & My Ramblings
- Replies: 7
- Views: 726
Re: Sacrament Meetings & My Ramblings
I haven't been to a Sacrament Meeting in some time, but one nice thing about technological advances when I did was that I could bring my Kindle and no one would know whether I was reading scriptures or something else during the boring parts. (It was something else.) I agree that it's always better t...
- Sun Jan 29, 2023 10:21 am
- Forum: Support
- Topic: Don't care anymore
- Replies: 24
- Views: 3177
Re: Don't care anymore
I find myself sort of fighting against not caring to some degree. I recently started listening to Mormon Stories episodes again after not keeping up with them for a while (especially the recent John Larsen ones) and I even ordered a new academic-type book that I'm not sure I'll realistically read (t...
- Tue Jan 24, 2023 2:27 pm
- Forum: Support
- Topic: Consciousness
- Replies: 29
- Views: 2672
Re: Consciousness
Unnamed Philosopher maintained that consciousness is a fundamental quality of nature, and that everything in existence possesses it to some degree. Are you sure this wasn't Brigham Young? I seem to remember him having said some very similar things about "intelligence" and how the elements are actua...
- Fri Jan 06, 2023 1:32 pm
- Forum: Doctrinal Discussion
- Topic: Science/Religion
- Replies: 14
- Views: 1411
Re: Science/Religion
Here's my attempt: Religion: A set of ideas and stories that primates accept to help them feel meaning and purpose. Science: A methodology that helps primates comprehend and shape the world that they find themselves in. Both: Distractions from the realization that consciousness is merely a survival ...
- Tue Dec 20, 2022 3:14 pm
- Forum: Support
- Topic: How do you label yourself regarding your belief?
- Replies: 43
- Views: 4079
Re: How do you label yourself regarding your belief?
The labels I have gravitated toward over the years are ignostic and absurdist . But I never really say these terms aloud because they wouldn't mean anything to most people. I've never referred to myself as atheist or even agnostic, regardless of whether those labels might fit, because of the negativ...
- Fri Dec 16, 2022 8:45 am
- Forum: Support
- Topic: Relaxed mission attire
- Replies: 21
- Views: 2086
Re: Relaxed mission attire
I've seen some younger missionaries without ties in my area (still white shirts, though). It was a little jarring, but maybe just because I'm an insider and used to the old traditions. I wonder if this type of change might break the illusion of authority a little. I'm thinking of how I've occasional...
- Fri Dec 16, 2022 8:23 am
- Forum: Doctrinal Discussion
- Topic: Is there a single unique truth claim of Mormonism that holds up?
- Replies: 17
- Views: 1812
Re: Is there a single unique truth claim of Mormonism that holds up?
I think some of Joseph's theology answered some questions better than traditional Christianity, like the Problem of Evil . . . . Yes, this is what comes to mind for me as well. Not just the definition of God, but the concept of premortal life and everyone being coeternal with God. But of course thi...
- Wed Dec 07, 2022 12:51 pm
- Forum: Support
- Topic: Impermanent Ward Relationships are Still Real
- Replies: 13
- Views: 1402
Re: Impermanent Ward Relationships are Still Real
I agree with this idea. Not every relationship is or needs to be "permanent" (as if anything is permanent anyway). I've had meaningful interactions with people at church and at work who I'll likely never talk to again. One interesting thing I've noticed is how modern social media can kind of zombify...
- Fri Nov 25, 2022 3:31 pm
- Forum: Support
- Topic: Progressive mormonism
- Replies: 11
- Views: 1464
Re: Progressive mormonism
It used to bother me a little when people would say that being an active NOM/progressive type was only a temporary stop on the way out. That might have even motivated me to stay active longer. And while I find it hard to imagine a point at which I don't identify as a "Mormon" in some way, I also fin...
- Fri Nov 25, 2022 3:17 pm
- Forum: The Coffee Shop
- Topic: Watch Under the Banner of Heaven on Hulu for $1.99/m
- Replies: 1
- Views: 549
Re: Watch Under the Banner of Heaven on Hulu for $1.99/m
If only if were their plan without ads. I haven't watched anything with commercial interruptions since high school, and I don't think I could do it now.