May 9, 2007
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Faith
Skepticism
For those of you who don’t know me, or hadn’t heard the news, I recently converted into the Church of Latter-Day Saints.There are a few who have expressed their skepticism towards my
sudden religious conversion — especially since only a few months
before, I was struggling with the matter of religion in general.Stigma
There’s a certain stigma about the Mormon church. I’ve heard
interesting stories from the other members of the church about the
types of things people have misconstrued about them because of their
faith.My own brother, an Episcopalian priest, tried to persuade against my
baptism, calling the church a ‘cult’ and sending me anti-Mormon
literature. (What’s interesting is that I had already read all of those
pages before deciding to convert… Ah, good ole google and wikipedia.)
Faith
There’s not much that I can say towards the skepticism or towards
the people who have strange ideas about what the LDS church is like,
but I can assure you that I do believe in the church. Not to say that I
don’t have questions from time to time, or that I know everything there
is to know about it.All I know is that when I’m there, it feels right. When I pray, it
feels right. When I learn about the teachings of the prophets, it feels
right. More so than with any other form of organized religion I’ve
encountered.At the end of the day, what more can I rely upon when it comes to spiritual reasoning?
Originally posted at http://daily.madpimp.com/.
Comments (21)
Amen to that!
how many religion changes does that make this year?
although I dont really agree with Mormon dogma, or even Roman Catholic dogma (since I identify as Roman Catholic), or even organized religion in general, I am a fervent proponent for an individual's exploration of self, spirituality, and fath. if that extremely personal and intimate journey takes you to one particular religious denomination or another or none at all, more power to you. i'm happy you found a place where you can find peace and spiritual growth.
yay for mormons.
hi kim! it was good seeing you last night. yay for chef brent cooking for us! i'm glad to see that you're finding yourself comfortable in this new religion. so happy for you! you seem happier now too.
i told brent that next time you guys go to vegas and i'm somewhat around the area, you need to bring me with you. you guys have a lot of fun in vegas every time...i'm so jealous!
It’s your own choice what you want to believe in. As long as you aren’t hurting other people and you are happy with your decisions, I don’t see why anybody should be questioning you or trying to dissuade you from pursuing your own individual enlightment.
Err, as long as things feel right, what do other opinions matter? ALL life is is opinions, isn't it? Just yours versus another person's. Just do what makes you happy. But I'm sure you already knew that...(Actually, did I get that from you?)
Long time no talk [again]. Seems everytime I decide to comment you I leave that.
good to see u found something, i think religion does some good in everyone. in any case, just dont hand over ur life savings.
poligamy
anyone who's researched and studied before making a decision on a religion, i respect greatly. i have read "anti-mormon" literature and find it all very interesting. i've even visited the newport and san diego temples. i may not agree with mormon beliefs, but i respect your (and other mormons') choice.
i'm christian and there are people in my church that think that people should see that it's cut and dry and people should see that christianity is real. ummm... if they don't believe that the bible is god's word, then how are you going to convince them? exactly. anyhow, keep seeking and learning, but always be questioning. i question christianity too, but to date, i haven't found anything else more convincing. just because i believe, doesn't mean i should stop questioning. =)
I'm happy you can follow your heart. =]
hi shi. i messaged you a long time ago regarding your post about depression and how you seeked out help. i'm happy to say that i finally got the help i needed and though a lot of people oppose using prescription drugs, it is what has helped me. regarding your post right now, it kind of relates to how some people think that the prescription medicine doesn't work. it doesn't work for some people, but for others it does and i think that's what's most important. i'm glad to hear that you're doing well. i finally feel free for the first time.. i haven't felt this happy in a very long while and i know i still have a lot to work on but it has given me so much hope. i just wanted to say thank you once again for writing that blog and helping me to have strength to seek out the help i needed.
As best I understand it, having faith is a hunch that there is both something bigger, and something divine, and that those things are one and the same. Myself being an Aetheist; that is to say, I have no faith, whatsoever, and I am comfortable. It feels right for me. That said, I'm not such an ogre that I don't let people of faith practice in peace. If that debate comes up, I'm good to engage it, and I think I take my end very well, but I let people have their faith in peace and practice how they like permitted it harms no one.
Mormonism is no more or less credible than any other faith. My opinions being my own, and thus aside, your faith is just as valid as Islam, Judaism, Episcopal, or any other, for that matter. Be free, and free with your heart, and the rest works itself out.
What matters most to me about this is that you've looked into your heart and feel comfortable studying, learning, and praying there. What's also neat is that LDS is a uniquely American institution .... I used to like to tell my Chinese-American friends that they were "more American than I am" whenever they talked knowledegeably about gambling on football .... I am clueless about football.
Trivia alert: the governor of the state of my youth from 1963 to 1969 was a Mormon.
You better not come knocking on my door in the morning hours this or any sat. I will be very angry. Other than that, good for you!
questioning is good -
do you know the difference between a cult and a religion? the number of members.
keep your tithe! LDS has mad money already
hey just want to say good for you, you have made a good choice, for those who do not understand, it is only because they have not 'tested' (if you have read alma 32). well you keep on going, sorry for the late message, i am currently serving in the philippines...
the mormon failth chose to abandon polygamy as a tenant after the US gov said - either you do or you don't get to become a state. they wanted statehood. suddently there was a revalation and polygamy went away almost entirelly. they believe that native americans come from the thirteenth jewish tribe - the lost tribe - there were only twelve ever recorded. they believe jesus visited the states and the next time he comes will be in the states which is god's country. mormonism was america's answer to christianity that made this country the center rather than any other. the religion was born out of political and social reasons. hm... not to rain on your parade, and you can believe whatever you want - but belief should be tempered by logic and reason...