Joseph Smith taught that the moon was inhabited by people that live to be 1000 years old?

[MVP]

The LDS church is exactly the place/community/standards/faith/etc. that I want to raise my family in.

I am genuinely interested why? What advantage it gives you over being non religious? As far as I understand you have only negatives - losing 10% of your income, dietary restrictions, restrictions what do to on Sundays, etc. Please enlighten me why it is better for your family than for my family?

 

[Siro]

I am genuinely interested why? What advantage it gives you over being non religious? As far as I understand you have only negatives - losing 10% of your income, dietary restrictions, restrictions what do to on Sundays, etc. Please enlighten me why it is better for your family than for my family?

Instilling what many consider good values like faith, humility and chastity. The dietary restrictions you speak of can be seen as guidelines to stay healthy. The restrictions on what you can do on Sundays are seen as a way to strengthen family and community relations. Losing your income is no different than acts of charity than many of us perform regardless of religion.

Keep in mind that I'm talking about some LDS perspectives, and not my personal view. I do not see faith or chastity as good values (and humility is meh). And I think a rational person can simply adopt the good aspects of religion through the use of reason. But you're making it sound as if any imposition on complete personal freedom is an inherent negative. That is clearly NOT so.

There is also a benefit to religion that is very difficult for non-believers to achieve, and that is the sense of community and belonging. I used to be a member of several secular and atheist organizations, and I would attend their meetings and events. But I never felt any true sense of community the same way I did when I was a believer. Many others feel the same way, which is why many attend non-religious churches. I attended one of those once, and I thought it was comical. A preacher who's pretty much advocating American Liberalism, but with no real message or focus, trying to accomplish the feel of religion by replacing the word "God" with "the universe" or "nature".

I am not saying that religion is the only way to create a strong sense of community (which seems important for the well-being of most humans). I hope we can one day congregate under the banner of humanism or any other rational ideology. But I'm not holding my breath.

 

[b_line]

I am genuinely interested why? What advantage it gives you over being non religious? As far as I understand you have only negatives - losing 10% of your income, dietary restrictions, restrictions what do to on Sundays, etc. Please enlighten me why it is better for your family than for my family?

Don't think he was comparing with you or your family at all. He was just sayin that it makes the most sense for him and his family.

In my mind, restrictions are not bad at all times. The fact that the lds religion teaches hard work, community values and promotes faith and hope is a good thing for families looking for a way to raise their children and stay together as a family unit after their kids grow up. It is a good way to promote good citizenship in kids, and teach them to be good people who work hard and are honest.

Other religions or organizations might have the same effect, but for some to be without religion makes it harder to have a goal in sight and stay focused on it for their family. Are there bad things that come along with religion? Yes. But there are far worse things that come along with many other trains of thought. I am not proposing an either/or dichotomy, just saying that for me and my family, the lds church is a good way to be happy, healthy and hard working individuals.

 

[MVP]

I am not proposing an either/or dichotomy, just saying that for me and my family, the lds church is a good way to be happy, healthy and hard working individuals.

So what I understand you need some kind of control, guidance to be that happy, healthy, hard working individual. Nothing wrong with that I guess, although I am sad that you think you would not be able to do same or better without it. Some people are meant to be soldiers, not generals. Some people like sheep need shepherd.
From my personal perspective freedom I achieved by leaving catholic church can never be replaced by anything any religion is offering. Simply impossible.

 

[b_line]

So what I understand you need some kind of control, guidance to be that happy, healthy, hard working individual. Nothing wrong with that I guess, although I am sad that you think you would not be able to do same or better without it. Some people are meant to be soldiers, not generals. Some people like sheep need shepherd.
From my personal perspective freedom I achieved by leaving catholic church can never be replaced by anything any religion is offering. Simply impossible.

I don't think that is the case at all. I am sure my family and I would be fine leaving the lds church behind and doing whatever else. It's not about that at all. It's that I have other things that I put effort into as well, and that there is a good community in the church that I have not found elsewhere. The secular humanists that I have interacted with seem to be bitter about not being religious, atheists want to tell everyone else how much better they are than others. In general, it makes my family happy to be Lds. We might be like sheep, but not in the sense you are talking about. We like having a community, regardless of our adherence or not to the directions of a "shepherd". There are teachings I agree with, and teachings I might not agree with.

Aside from that, you seem like a generally unhappy person. Do you really think atheism or leaving the catholic religion made a difference in your life? If so, why do you chose to be unhappy?

 

[MVP]

Why do you think I am unhappy? That I am bitter about Jazz FO directions? LOL. True, I am unhappy how terrible Jazz turned out in last few years, but my personal life is perfectly fine. I do what I love, make good money, have two beautiful daughters, am in great shape for 43 year old - what else do I need?
Just that weather kind of sucks in my city so maybe I will move somewhere nicer when kids will move out, have no restrictions on that.

 

[b_line]

Why do you think I am unhappy? That I am bitter about Jazz FO directions? LOL. True, I am unhappy how terrible Jazz turned out in last few years, but my personal life is perfectly fine. I do what I love, make good money, have two beautiful daughters, am in great shape for 43 year old - what else do I need?
Just that weather kind of sucks in my city so maybe I will move somewhere nicer when kids will move out, have no restrictions on that.

lol, so you are just an unhappy sports fan. What do you do for work? Its good to do what you love, or at least dont hate.

 

[One Brow]

am not saying that religion is the only way to create a strong sense of community (which seems important for the well-being of most humans). I hope we can one day congregate under the banner of humanism or any other rational ideology. But I'm not holding my breath.

I don't think humanism is that type of philosophy, one that can be the center of a community.

I congregate at board game meetings. It's the closest thing I have to religion, and it scratches that itch acceptably.

 

[colton]

So what I understand you need some kind of control, guidance to be that happy, healthy, hard working individual. Nothing wrong with that I guess, although I am sad that you think you would not be able to do same or better without it. Some people are meant to be soldiers, not generals. Some people like sheep need shepherd.

Way to be condescending there, big guy.

 

[MVP]

Way to be condescending there, big guy.

How dare you judging me!

P.S.
Just being brutally honest and true to myself.

 

[babe]

So what I understand you need some kind of control, guidance to be that happy, healthy, hard working individual. Nothing wrong with that I guess, although I am sad that you think you would not be able to do same or better without it. Some people are meant to be soldiers, not generals. Some people like sheep need shepherd.
From my personal perspective freedom I achieved by leaving catholic church can never be replaced by anything any religion is offering. Simply impossible.

It's not that religious folks can't understand and empathize with views like yours. Many left your fold to become believers.

The god I imagine exists reportedly said you have to come seeking Him regardless of parents or churches.

You were being expected to comply before you made it your personal quest. It seems almost all religions and believers err sometimes on thar point. Because we are too lazy or comfortable somehow, I think.

 

[Gameface]

It's not that religious folks can't understand and empathize with views like yours. Many left your fold to become believers.

The god I imagine exists reportedly said you have to come seeking Him regardless of parents or churches.

You were being expected to comply before you made it your personal quest. It seems almost all religions and believers err sometimes on thar point. Because we are too lazy or comfortable somehow, I think.

Something I'm genuinely curious about:

How did people find "God" before monotheism existed? How do theologians account for this period before anyone believed in a single all powerful "God?"

Did all those ancient people go to hell?