Hey guys! And Gals! ;) I'd like to dedicate this post to some things I've been going though lately.
The image above is a "cheap shot" at atheists... Making fun of people who believe something different from you is an incredibly easy thing to do. I mean, Atheists are pros at taking their own cheap shots at religion!
Yeah...
How does this relate to Christianity and Mormonism? It doesn't. But you can make anything relate to anything with a little bit of duct tape.
Christians can poke fun at Mormons for trying to become Gods, not drinking coffee, having soooooo many kids ;). Mormons can make fun of Christians, well for a whole lot of things... ha... believe me, there are things.
But there's more to it than just poking fun at other people... There's an amazing conversation to be had with people who are critical of your views. If you spend all your time listening/reading/watching only things you agree with, you'll never learn anything new. You'll never be challenged. You'll grow complacent and begin to forget why you believe what you believe. When you talk to people who agree with you, you can let things slip. Say things a little more casually than they deserve... Then when you come across someone who doesn't share your beliefs you find you can't articulate exactly what it is you believe... You might not even remember why it is you believe what you believe!
So this is a post of admonition. Let's get past our differences, as LDS, Ortho-Christian, Atheist, Agnostic, and Scientol- well... yeah.... tis' the season after all... ;)
Here's a Facebook group that might be good for some of you to practice on. It's a discussion forum between atheists and theists. Enter at your own risk, I am not responsible for the content some people may post ;)
Short n sweet ;) But hey, if you've got any questions about Mormonsim, Christianity, or whatnot, please ask away!
Cheers!
Raising a glass to that! What makes us think that everyone has to think like we think? Viva la difference. If someone says they'll believe what you do just because you say they should then that's not a genuine belief and it won't stand up. We must test and prove our own beliefs. I find learning about other cultures and religions extremely intersting and edifying to my own belief system. And even if you think your way is the best way, judging the way of others automatically taints your position. Judge not, lest ye be judged. I believe you can accept people's "stuff" without condoning it.
ReplyDelete" If someone says they'll believe what you do just because you say they should then that's not a genuine belief and it won't stand up."
ReplyDeleteAmen and amen! Let each man be fully convinced in his own mind!
I made a statement to an atheist friend yesterday that salvation is accessible to everyone... He responded by saying that wasn't true... To him, a person who doesn't believe in God or Jesus, this "salvation" is unattainable...
That got me thinking, I rephrased myself this way: "Salvation is readily accessible to all those ho seek it..." But it's up to the Holy Spirit to move on the hearts of men to cause that initial hunger. I am grateful for receiving that Spirit and pray tat everyone else would receive that same Spirit... But God will have mercy on whom He has mercy.
Iiii like this. Very true. I just want to put in my word that I second everything that was just said. :) I think that if you "believe" something because someone else does it won't be strong for the rest of your life. For example, if you grow up in a religion with parents making you go to church and such, but the only reason you "believe" is cuz of your parents... what happens when you grow up and don't rely on parents so much. You won't actually believe it and you'll lose it. It's something you need to actively search for and find out for yourself.
ReplyDeleteIf you never allow yourself to be exposed to dissenting opinions on religion, you're literally preaching to the choir.
ReplyDelete