tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3642844911281889530.post6530647186310589973..comments2023-05-12T04:56:46.910-06:00Comments on Digital Plates: ElGuapohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14479861725413367721noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3642844911281889530.post-38037997983372946922008-10-31T17:38:00.000-06:002008-10-31T17:38:00.000-06:00Hi T.M., good comments. I'm glad to hear I "amazed...Hi T.M., good comments. I'm glad to hear I "amazed" you. :) And yes, I quite agree that for the most part I'm just "helping other atheists, ex- and anti-mormons, feel better about themselves." I hope that's OK with you. We're people too.<BR/><BR/>You asked, "aren't you just supplanting what you intend to eliminate?" Yeah, pretty much. Maybe I'm missing something, but I'm not particularly bothered by your comparison. We agree again.<BR/><BR/>Was it your point to say I may as well have remained Mormon then? Small problem, I don't believe any of it. I'm glad it works for you though.<BR/><BR/>My only comment about the "fruits" thing is that I think you should give yourself more credit. Service, family, personal integrity, those things are all rewarding in and of themselves. You don't have to buy into a religion to enjoy them, know what I mean? And I hope you weren't implying that belief in the church can be justified on a utilitarian basis. If it's a lie, then integrity demands you expose the lie.<BR/><BR/>Best,<BR/>GuapElGuapohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14479861725413367721noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3642844911281889530.post-19315557931464576292008-10-29T22:52:00.000-06:002008-10-29T22:52:00.000-06:00What amazes me about sites like this is the amount...What amazes me about sites like this is the amount of time the hosts put in to it - paragraphs and paragraphs, pages upon pages, and links to other sites just like it all expounding how evil and controlling the LDS church is. For the most part, I think you’re preaching to the choir - helping other atheists, ex- and anti-mormons, feel better about themselves.<BR/>What exactly is so objectionable about the church? Some of the basic tenants of the Church are service, honesty, integrity, and morality that you as an individual should follow in your life. I am grateful for the role the Church plays in my life - I have a wonderful wife, beautiful children, and I have opportunities to serve and comfort them and others because of the organization of the Church. Are the people who run it perfect ? No. Was Joseph Smith perfect? No. Do I know and understand every detail of the gospel, the BoM, the history of the church, and the world? No. Do I need to? Not really.<BR/>I work, I go to school, I spend time with my family, I serve in the church and elsewhere in the community. I have a happy life and take comfort in the personal and family relationship I have developed with God.<BR/>So, back to you who host and publish on sites that intend to disprove the validy of the Church, or religion in general - by creating such a massive support network, aren’t you just supplanting what you intend to eliminate? The doubters and lost are your “congregation”. Destroying faith is your “service”. Atheism is your “god”.<BR/>I hope members who are comfortable in their testimony feel empowered to share it - but if you feel shaken by what you’ve read, then look at your life and the lives of others think about what good fruits the church and your faith has brought to it.Jonathan Mandevillehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01978694164633373344noreply@blogger.com