If the Church went on trial. . . . ?

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deacon blues
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If the Church went on trial. . . . ?

Post by deacon blues » Wed Sep 11, 2019 6:44 am

If the Church went on trial where would you fit in best? As a witness for the defense? the prosecution? Would you qualify as an impartial jury member? As I think about this, I want to think I am impartial. I hold to a belief that if the evidence (old and new) could support such a decision I could find the Church either true or false, but I think my wife and other TBM's would consider me biased. How about you?
God is Love. God is Truth. The greatest problem with organized religion is that the organization becomes god, rather than a means of serving God.

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Corsair
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Re: If the Church went on trial. . . . ?

Post by Corsair » Wed Sep 11, 2019 9:27 am

I am pretty sure that Kirton McConkie would try and disqualify me as a juror. I would probably just be a witness for the prosecution, but it would also depend on the charges. Such a trial would be likely be on civil charges against it. This is a situation that the church so richly deserves, but is unlikely to ever fully face.

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wtfluff
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Re: If the Church went on trial. . . . ?

Post by wtfluff » Wed Sep 11, 2019 9:32 am

deacon blues wrote:
Wed Sep 11, 2019 6:44 am
As I think about this, I want to think I am impartial.
I'd like to "think" I could be impartial too, but the fact is, I was born into the Church, and spent more than half a lifetime trying to make it work. Sadly, it Just. Doesn't. Work.

So... I wish I'd been able to as you say Deacon: "weigh the evidence" and realize it didn't work much earlier in my life, but that didn't happen. So now, after more than 40 years of making idiotic decisions based on lies, half truths, and feelings that were supposed to be prompted by a ghost... I'm a tiny bit angry, and there's no way I can look at the LD$-Inc. Corporation impartially, or with any sort of unbiased view. I'm an angry witness for the prosecution.
Faith does not give you the answers, it just stops you asking the questions. -Frater Ravus

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Linked
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Re: If the Church went on trial. . . . ?

Post by Linked » Wed Sep 11, 2019 10:28 am

wtfluff wrote:
Wed Sep 11, 2019 9:32 am
deacon blues wrote:
Wed Sep 11, 2019 6:44 am
As I think about this, I want to think I am impartial.
I'd like to "think" I could be impartial too, but the fact is, I was born into the Church, and spent more than half a lifetime trying to make it work. Sadly, it Just. Doesn't. Work.

So... I wish I'd been able to as you say Deacon: "weigh the evidence" and realize it didn't work much earlier in my life, but that didn't happen. So now, after more than 40 years of making idiotic decisions based on lies, half truths, and feelings that were supposed to be prompted by a ghost... I'm a tiny bit angry, and there's no way I can look at the LD$-Inc. Corporation impartially, or with any sort of unbiased view. I'm an angry witness for the prosecution.
Ditto

I try really hard to be impartial, but I just can't do it with church stuff.
"I would write about life. Every person would be exactly as important as any other. All facts would also be given equal weightiness. Nothing would be left out. Let others bring order to chaos. I would bring chaos to order" - Kurt Vonnegut

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deacon blues
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Re: If the Church went on trial. . . . ?

Post by deacon blues » Thu Sep 12, 2019 11:32 am

I recall that Boyd Packer said TBM's are not supposed to be neutral, and backed it up with a reminder/warning of the temple covenants. Theoretically, then, TBM's would be too biased to serve on the jury in my hypothetical trial. I've never heard of a critic saying we are committed/obligated to opposing the Church, which is one of the reasons I tend to trust critics more than apologists. I have heard critics who mirrored TBM's by saying something like "I know the Church isn't true. I think saying "I know" is indicative of self deception, though I could be wrong.
God is Love. God is Truth. The greatest problem with organized religion is that the organization becomes god, rather than a means of serving God.

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Palerider
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Re: If the Church went on trial. . . . ?

Post by Palerider » Thu Sep 12, 2019 2:18 pm

I'm guilty of saying I know it isn't true, but with this caveat.

What I mean by that is that parts of the church are definitely not true. Not true principles. Not true doctrine. Not true history. And it is certainly not what it purports to be.

There are parts that are true. It does teach that Jesus is the Christ. It does teach a belief in God. But even those "true" teachings are mingled with the doctrines of men.

But as Paul says:

Philippians 1:15, 18

"Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will....What then? Notwithstanding every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice...."

Better to have Christ taught even in a modified form than not at all. He can then at least slowly draw his children to himself.

So I see the LDS church as a way station. A stopping off point where someone can grow to a degree and then move upward to a truer more accurate belief in Christ, leaving behind the "Legalism" and man-made ordinances of Mormonism.
It is sad that some turn to atheism or agnosticism after their experiences with Mormonism but if they continue to live Christlike lives according to the consciences God gave them, even in their disbelief......I believe God will treat them more as lost sheep that need gathering, than bad players who need discipline.

Where does that leave me as a participant in a trial?

Not sure..... ;)
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"Truth will ultimately prevail where there is pains to bring it to light."

George Washington

Keewon
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Re: If the Church went on trial. . . . ?

Post by Keewon » Thu Sep 12, 2019 3:40 pm

"
Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will....What then? Notwithstanding every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice...."
Just wanted to say I loved your comment, Palerider. (Not that I don't love the others. I'm talking like a parent here... :) )

This is the line that always works best with my Christian friends who think Mormonism is a cult. The thought that Christ is the ultimate chess player or martial artist or whatever who can sneak in and turn a soul to himself even if that person has some wrong ideas. Ideas are pretty insubstantial anyways. It's whether in the midst of all the noise of their lives they heard the still, small voice that called them, so they come to know him in their hearts even if their heads are off on some things.

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moksha
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Re: If the Church went on trial. . . . ?

Post by moksha » Thu Sep 12, 2019 9:16 pm

Pretty sure I would be the guy sitting at home watching the Church cruise around the streets of Los Angeles in a white Bronco. I would be listening for the line, "If the garments don't fit you must acquit".
Good faith does not require evidence, but it also does not turn a blind eye to that evidence. Otherwise, it becomes misplaced faith.
-- Moksha

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Just This Guy
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Re: If the Church went on trial. . . . ?

Post by Just This Guy » Fri Sep 13, 2019 7:08 am

I would probably be the juror guy that the prosecution would love to have on the jury (analytical engineer) but the defense would would want to getrid of as fast as possible because I'm pretty immune to emotional and guilt based arguments.
moksha wrote:
Thu Sep 12, 2019 9:16 pm
Pretty sure I would be the guy sitting at home watching the Church cruise around the streets of Los Angeles in a white Bronco. I would be listening for the line, "If the garments don't fit you must acquit".
I would be glad to be removed from the jury just so I don't have to sit though the garment testimony. The idea of watching them be modeled is just, eww...
"The story so far: In the beginning the Universe was created. This has made a lot of people very angry and been widely regarded as a bad move." -- Douglas Adams

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Emower
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Re: If the Church went on trial. . . . ?

Post by Emower » Tue Sep 17, 2019 9:58 am

There is no way I could be an impartial juror. Corsair's thought is interesting, I could probably be a witness for the defense on criminal charges, but a witness for the prosecution for civil.

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deacon blues
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Re: If the Church went on trial. . . . ?

Post by deacon blues » Sat Sep 28, 2019 10:00 am

1. I think Empower makes a good point. Criminal charges would require the Church to be found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. Of course, I haven't clarified what the charges are yet. maybe I should be more specific and do that.
2. A civil case would require that the preponderance of evidence indicating that the Church be guilty.
3. I'm reminded that O.J. Simpson was found innocent in a criminal court, and guilty in a civil court.
4. I should confess that I'm unqualified to talk about more than speculations about legal details, though I think there are a couple of lawyers would post here from time to time. I'm interested in what they might say. My understanding is that civil cases rarely involve juries, (but O.J.'s Unlawful Death Case was decided by a jury) so the question of whether I'm unbiased may not even apply in such a case.
5. I also recall reading a book in High School (1970's) called "The Trial of the Book of Joseph" which discussed a theoretical case (conducted in a law class if I recall correctly), that tried to determine if the Book of Mormon was true or false.
God is Love. God is Truth. The greatest problem with organized religion is that the organization becomes god, rather than a means of serving God.

Apologeticsislying
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Re: If the Church went on trial. . . . ?

Post by Apologeticsislying » Mon Sep 30, 2019 9:06 pm

What do you mean IF the church went on trial? It's already on trial, and we are the Prosecution. The Internet is the Prosecution. All the church has is Kirton McConkie..... :lol:
The same energy that emerges from the fountain of eternity into time, is the Holy Grail at the center of the universe of the inexhaustible vitality in each of our hearts. The Holy Grail, like the Kingdom of God, is within. -Joseph Campbell-

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deacon blues
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Re: If the Church went on trial. . . . ?

Post by deacon blues » Tue Oct 01, 2019 8:48 am

I see your point Apoligeticsislying. At this point in my life I'm leaving the door for more evidence open. If the new evidence were to come forth tending to affirm the Church's position I will consider it. And unlike most of my LDS friends and family, I will continue to consider evidence that would disprove the Church's position.
In a discussion (about young women and false accusations) with my wife this morning, I brought up the Sarah Pratt story. I related it in a what I consider an balanced fashion. I can't ignore the witnesses who accused Sarah Pratt of adultery, although when I regard the big picture, I think it is likely they were being deceitful.
When I honestly and humbly consider my position in this universe I have to stand on the ground that I have been right and wrong, I may be right or wrong now, and I most likely will be both wrong and right in the future.
God is Love. God is Truth. The greatest problem with organized religion is that the organization becomes god, rather than a means of serving God.

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Not Buying It
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Re: If the Church went on trial. . . . ?

Post by Not Buying It » Tue Oct 01, 2019 9:39 am

Witness for the prosecution. No question. Against a fraudulent, deceptive organization that isn't what it claims to be but controls the lives of its members to an alarming degree and befouls all of their relationships with its stealth toxicity.

I don't care that the Church does some good things. Take the Church away and members could find those good things elsewhere. But only the Church can give them its uniquely Mormon brand of toxicity.
"The truth is elegantly simple. The lie needs complex apologia. 4 simple words: Joe made it up. It answers everything with the perfect simplicity of Occam's Razor. Every convoluted excuse withers." - Some guy on Reddit called disposazelph

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