I think my religion would be pretty simple:
1. Be good to each other.
2. Don't lie.
Those two rules could have saved a lot of heartache in the LDS church.
If you started a church, what would be your rules?
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Re: If you started a church, what would be your rules?
The Nehor wrote:SatanWasSetUp wrote:If you started a church (or movement. Starting a church is so 200 years ago), and the movement was successful, and you gained followers, what would be some of your rules? For me, I would stress obedience, I would require them to give me money, and I would want to have sex with the women. Sorry to offend, but I'm a power hungry guy who likes sex and money. If my followers really liked me as a leader, and believed the things I taught, would they have a problem with my rules? I'm thinking psychologically, once they've committed to me, it will be difficult for me to do anything to offend them to the point of leaving. I think the most difficult part of this would be getting the followers in the first place. Once you have them committed to your movement, the rest should be easy.
Since you claim this is why Joseph started a Church does that mean you have the same moral character as the Joseph Smith you believe existed?
Well, SWSU admitted as such, so I'm guessing he wouldn't have a problem saying it that way. I agree, Joseph Smith liked money, sex, and power. The big difference is that SWSU isn't really claiming to be God's deputy on Earth, empowered with authority to order people around in the name of God.
Mormonism ceased being a compelling topic for me when I finally came to terms with its transformation from a personality cult into a combination of a real estate company, a SuperPac, and Westboro Baptist Church. - Kishkumen
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Re: If you started a church, what would be your rules?
Sethbag wrote:The Nehor wrote:SatanWasSetUp wrote:If you started a church (or movement. Starting a church is so 200 years ago), and the movement was successful, and you gained followers, what would be some of your rules? For me, I would stress obedience, I would require them to give me money, and I would want to have sex with the women. Sorry to offend, but I'm a power hungry guy who likes sex and money. If my followers really liked me as a leader, and believed the things I taught, would they have a problem with my rules? I'm thinking psychologically, once they've committed to me, it will be difficult for me to do anything to offend them to the point of leaving. I think the most difficult part of this would be getting the followers in the first place. Once you have them committed to your movement, the rest should be easy.
Since you claim this is why Joseph started a Church does that mean you have the same moral character as the Joseph Smith you believe existed?
Well, SWSU admitted as such, so I'm guessing he wouldn't have a problem saying it that way. I agree, Joseph Smith liked money, sex, and power. The big difference is that SWSU isn't really claiming to be God's deputy on Earth, empowered with authority to order people around in the name of God.
Is there moral value in not doing evil out of laziness or fear of failure?
"Surely he knows that DCP, The Nehor, Lamanite, and other key apologists..." -Scratch clarifying my status in apologetics
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Hmm... If I were to create a church... I think I'd make the rules along the lines of:
1. Rules are stupid.
2. Don't be stupid.
3. Moderators (Judges, Police) and administrators will follow the spirit of the law, not the letter of the law.
4. You are responsible for your actions. Don't pass the buck.
5. Be aware of your surroundings. There's a time and a place for everything.
6. If moderation is required, such as in the case of illegal or dangerous information, SPEAK LOUDLY, don't expect us to magically know everything that everyone is saying.
7. Everyone is welcome. Every opinion is welcome.
8. DON'T BE STUPID.
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Hmm... Look familiar? ;)
1. Rules are stupid.
2. Don't be stupid.
3. Moderators (Judges, Police) and administrators will follow the spirit of the law, not the letter of the law.
4. You are responsible for your actions. Don't pass the buck.
5. Be aware of your surroundings. There's a time and a place for everything.
6. If moderation is required, such as in the case of illegal or dangerous information, SPEAK LOUDLY, don't expect us to magically know everything that everyone is saying.
7. Everyone is welcome. Every opinion is welcome.
8. DON'T BE STUPID.
---
Hmm... Look familiar? ;)
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Re: If you started a church, what would be your rules?
The Nehor wrote:SatanWasSetUp wrote:If you started a church (or movement. Starting a church is so 200 years ago), and the movement was successful, and you gained followers, what would be some of your rules? For me, I would stress obedience, I would require them to give me money, and I would want to have sex with the women. Sorry to offend, but I'm a power hungry guy who likes sex and money. If my followers really liked me as a leader, and believed the things I taught, would they have a problem with my rules? I'm thinking psychologically, once they've committed to me, it will be difficult for me to do anything to offend them to the point of leaving. I think the most difficult part of this would be getting the followers in the first place. Once you have them committed to your movement, the rest should be easy.
Since you claim this is why Joseph started a Church does that mean you have the same moral character as the Joseph Smith you believe existed?
Sure, but it's a little different. To me, and most others, it's a fantasy, what-if, game. Kinda like when you're a kid and you think of all the laws you would pass if you President, or if you were a terrorist what would be the most perfect terrorist plot. Or when you're watching porn and you think it would be awesome to do two chick at the same time, but most men don't really take those scenerios seriously, and even if we do we don't have the salesmanship, poilitical savvy, or ambition to bring them to pass. Just because I watch Ron Jeremy on the porn channel and think it would be awesome to do the things he does, doesn't mean I would actually go through with it. I have an internal check that keeps me from committing immoral acts, and even if I didn't I don't have the ambition or savvy to pull it off. Joseph Smith and Ron Jeremy both took a dream and turned it into a reality through their hard work, determination, ambition, and salesmanship. These immoral things aren't important enough to me to try to make them real. Role-playing with my wife is good enough for me.
"We of this Church do not rely on any man-made statement concerning the nature of Deity. Our knowledge comes directly from the personal experience of Joseph Smith." - Gordon B. Hinckley
"It's wrong to criticize leaders of the Mormon Church even if the criticism is true." - Dallin H. Oaks
"It's wrong to criticize leaders of the Mormon Church even if the criticism is true." - Dallin H. Oaks
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Re: If you started a church, what would be your rules?
SatanWasSetUp wrote: Sure, but it's a little different. To me, and most others, it's a fantasy, what-if, game. Kinda like when you're a kid and you think of all the laws you would pass if you President, or if you were a terrorist what would be the most perfect terrorist plot. Or when you're watching porn and you think it would be awesome to do two chick at the same time, but most men don't really take those scenerios seriously, and even if we do we don't have the salesmanship, poilitical savvy, or ambition to bring them to pass. Just because I watch Ron Jeremy on the porn channel and think it would be awesome to do the things he does, doesn't mean I would actually go through with it. I have an internal check that keeps me from committing immoral acts, and even if I didn't I don't have the ambition or savvy to pull it off. Joseph Smith and Ron Jeremy both took a dream and turned it into a reality through their hard work, determination, ambition, and salesmanship. These immoral things aren't important enough to me to try to make them real. Role-playing with my wife is good enough for me.
Wait a second... you think it's immoral to do two chicks at once? How come? (I mean, assuming they both want to and none of you are married, what's the big deal?)
God belief is for people who don't want to live life on the universe's terms.
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Re: If you started a church, what would be your rules?
Some Schmo wrote:SatanWasSetUp wrote: Sure, but it's a little different. To me, and most others, it's a fantasy, what-if, game. Kinda like when you're a kid and you think of all the laws you would pass if you President, or if you were a terrorist what would be the most perfect terrorist plot. Or when you're watching porn and you think it would be awesome to do two chick at the same time, but most men don't really take those scenerios seriously, and even if we do we don't have the salesmanship, poilitical savvy, or ambition to bring them to pass. Just because I watch Ron Jeremy on the porn channel and think it would be awesome to do the things he does, doesn't mean I would actually go through with it. I have an internal check that keeps me from committing immoral acts, and even if I didn't I don't have the ambition or savvy to pull it off. Joseph Smith and Ron Jeremy both took a dream and turned it into a reality through their hard work, determination, ambition, and salesmanship. These immoral things aren't important enough to me to try to make them real. Role-playing with my wife is good enough for me.
Wait a second... you think it's immoral to do two chicks at once? How come? (I mean, assuming they both want to and none of you are married, what's the big deal?)
True, I didn't clarify. I'm married and my wife doesn't want to get involved in that stuff, so I would have to sneak around if I really really wanted to do it bad enough, and that would be immoral....unless you're a prophet.
"We of this Church do not rely on any man-made statement concerning the nature of Deity. Our knowledge comes directly from the personal experience of Joseph Smith." - Gordon B. Hinckley
"It's wrong to criticize leaders of the Mormon Church even if the criticism is true." - Dallin H. Oaks
"It's wrong to criticize leaders of the Mormon Church even if the criticism is true." - Dallin H. Oaks