why me wrote:To tell you the truth, it makes no difference to me if a critic does not like this or that. It is how the the delivery is delivered that bothers me. All can be debated in a dignified and meaningful way. And there will always be interpretations...but it is the use of language and tone that are confrontational.
So it's all about style, and substance doesn't matter? It doesn't matter what you say, it matters how you say it?
Pardon me, but I think that the substance of the message is much more important than the style of the delivery. Address the message, not the style or the deliverer.
As the scriptures say, contention is of the Devil. That means that we should not hate one another and scream and yell and curse. what we should be at war with is the sin, not the sinner. This works both ways, do you hate Mormons, or do you hate Mormon teachings? Do we hate the anti-mormon, or do we hate the anti-mormon stance?
It very easy to sink into the hate and name calling. I myself sink into this often (just half an hour ago while posting to Scratch in fact).
The only way to avoid this nonsence is to keep in mind that we are working towards truth, and attacking each other along the way only builds up walls. Its a war against misconceptions and falsehoods, and its easy to get frustrated with someone who seems to embody the opposeing viewpoint.
The best we can hope for is that we can exercise self control and attack the issue, not the person. (Although it does seem cathartic to vent like that)
Matt. 5:22
22 But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be ein danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.
We can easily forgive a child who is afraid of the dark; the real tragedy of life is when men are afraid of the light. - Plato
truth dancer wrote:In all honesty, I think this attitude of us against Satan is one of the most destructive of all ideas humankind has every held.
So long as groups of people think they are the chosen and elect of God (not just LDS people), and everyone else is following Satan, or destroying god's church, or thwarting God's efforts, or lying, or just plain evil, the world will not find peace.
Seems to me that in order to solve the crisis our world is in, we all need to let go of this nonsense and start trying to figure out how to come together.
Just how I see it.... :-)
~dancer~
The LDS will find some aspects of cyber peace when critics stop mocking, bashing, sneering, cussing and spitting on things that the LDS hold sacred. As for myself, I like critics as people but they seem to show too much vile on some critic boards. And so, the critics need to make peace and the LDS need to make peace....and this could happen when the mocking and bashing stops and the critics begin to respect the people and the faith that many still choose to live in. And when the LDS respect the choice the critic has made to leave the church. (Most do but there are exceptions.)
From the mouth of a 30 year hypocrite.
You DO NOT hold jack squat "sacred". Otherwise your hypocritical ass would be wrapped in silk magic undies and planted squarely in the Mormon pew, at the chapel and temple.
In a recent thread, why me suggested that in defending the true church of God, integrity is not necessary. He considers himself to be in a war, so he will use whatever means are necessary. I hope I'm not misinterpreting, but that was the gist of it, as I recall.
Well, Jesus made a scourge and drove the money changers from the temple. He also made some very vicious verbal attacks (such as matthew 23:27) and then there is the principle found in Matthew 10:34. Milk before meat is not a problem. Not casting pearls before swine is not a problem. There would not be be any integrity at all without following these principles and examples as we claim to be Christians. Integrity is quite important in my book.
Polygamy Porter wrote:As for this "devil" drivel...
2 Ne. 28: 22
22 And behold, others he flattereth away, and telleth them there is no hell; and he saith unto them: I am no devil, for there is none—and thus he whispereth in their ears, until he grasps them with his awful chains, from whence there is no deliverance.
MG: hey dude, if this is true...you're toast. <g> How do you know there isn't a devil? You sure seem to know alot. I'm not positive one way or the other...but I'm sure not willing to put all my eggs in one basket and not accept the possibility that there may be a Mr. Scratch.
Polygamy Porter wrote:As for this "devil" drivel...
2 Ne. 28: 22 22 And behold, others he flattereth away, and telleth them there is no hell; and he saith unto them: I am no devil, for there is none—and thus he whispereth in their ears, until he grasps them with his awful chains, from whence there is no deliverance.
MG: hey dude, if this is true...you're toast. <g> How do you know there isn't a devil? You sure seem to know alot. I'm not positive one way or the other...but I'm sure not willing to put all my eggs in one basket and not accept the possibility that there may be a Mr. Scratch.
Regards, MG
Pass the jelly, put it on thick and EAT ME.
I don't need mythological characters to TELL me how I should live my life.
Polygamy Porter wrote:As for this "devil" drivel, has anyone seen the movie, "The Village"?
Watch it and you will see how terrifying mind control beliefs are passed from generation to generation.
That was the first Shyamalan movie I saw, and it remains one of my favourites. Its poor reception by the critics I attribute to a complete misunderstanding of its intent, and an ignorant and shallow understanding of its underlying message. It's a superb film which demonstrates the natural tendency of humans to idealise themselves and their behaviour, insisting always that evil lies outside the human psyche, never within.
I recommend it as an antidote to the bizarre doctrine of the 'devil' or 'satan', and an antidote to the humanist utopian view of man.