On June 2, 2012, a person who calls themself AtheistsAreDumb left the following comment for me on my post I Never Said It Would Be Easy. I was going to delete it but decided not to because I want all my readers to see just how ignorant this person is. Apparently they created their profile just for me, because it only had one page view and that was probably me! Their comment is in italics and my response will be in bold. I have not censored or left out anything they said.
People who claim to be "atheists" make me laugh because they have no idea what it means to truly be an atheist.
Wow, going to start it off by telling me what I know. Why don't you enlighten me?
If God does not exist, then there is no purpose to life and anything we do in this life is meaningless and has no value.
That is half true. There is no purpose to life, but why is that a bad thing? Anything we do is not meaningless. A kind deed is not meaningless to the person who received it.
We only exist because of random chance and chaos. Atheists think it's foolish to believe in God, but not foolish to believe that we evolved over the last few billion years from single-cell pond-scum organisms to advanced multi-cellular mammals, who can think and create and question, as a result of a BIG BANG.
Evolutionists have never taught and never will teach that we are the result of random chance. Atheists believe it is foolish to base your beliefs on blind faith and ignore this little thing called EVIDENCE.
That's like blowing up a printing press and expecting the works of Shakespeare or a dictionary to magically appear after 4.5 billion years go by...now who's the crazy one?!
It's funny you should mention magic... You believe that talking telepathically to your imaginary friend gives you the ability to alter the will of the great creator. You believe that a magical piece of fruit is the reason the world is full of evil. And you believe that a teeny boat was able to hold several million species of animals plus enough food for all of them for nearly two years. Um, you are the crazy one.
You believe that god has always existed. If you are going to use the argument from improbability, then you must realize that it backfires in your face because wouldn't a complex creator also need a creator? You can't use that argument because your own beliefs are disproven with it! May I refer you to an excellent article by Richard Dawkins on why this argument actually works in the favor of evolution and atheism? Who Owns the Argument from Improbability?
Since there is no God, you must believe in evolution, which means your distant relative is pond-scum (sounds about right).
Why are believers so hostile to non-believers? This person really emulates the example of Christ, does he not? Seriously, if all religion does is make people act like this condescending person, then NO THANKS! I'm good without a set of unproven superstitions that make people act like cave men.
It also means that there is neither right nor wrong, neither good nor bad, just survival of the fittest. Is it wrong when a lion kills a gazelle on the plains of the serengeti?! Not if you're an evolutionist, which you must be if you're an atheist.
Again, why is that a bad thing? Do you eat? If so, then YOU kill things to survive.
By your atheist standards, if someone hurts you or, even worse, kills you, they shouldn't be punished in any way because it's just evolution following its natural course. To punish them for the crime would be admitting that what they did was morally wrong, but if you are an atheist and therefore a true evolutionist, there is no right or wrong...only survival of the fittest.
You have a very fucked up view. You have this idea that an atheist has absolutely no morals and would slit your throat for $5. So are you telling me that murder is okay when god commands it, like he does in the Bible many times? There is right and wrong, and you, by hinting that I am pond-scum, are in the wrong. Again, very poor example from a believer. Your attitude is only further conviction that I made the right choice to say good-bye to god.
The funny thing is, if the whole world were to follow your line of thinking and come to their proverbial senses and stop believing in a so-called imaginary God, and we started following a true evolutionist belief system of survival of the fittest, all the jocks and body-builders of the world would kill off all of the science nerds of the world. Wouldn't that be special!
Ok, this is a very distrubing comment. The only people who hate science are the religious ones. Are you telling me that the only thing keeping you from committing genocide on the scientific community is your fear of hell? It almost sounds like you would be at the forefront of the war on science. I get this strange feeling that you would enjoy sinking your battle axe into the skull of a scientist. I daresay you border on religiously insane! I think the better religion for you would be Islam, where they go to church with machine guns!
Since I don't believe in hell, what is stopping me from waging war on religion? Nothing but my own sense of right and wrong! How many atheists in this world walk into churches and start blowing people away? NONE! How many religious people kill all the time? MANY! Can you honestly tell me that atheists, who are peace-loving and accepting, would cause the world to go to hell if there was no religion? It is religion and it's prejudices that will be the undoing of the human species! And your own comments prove it! It is you who has a blood lust for those who disagree with you!
Thank goodness for people of all religions who believe in a supreme being and life after this life and who believe in right and wrong and in choosing good over bad (for the most part) because it's the only thing preventing global genocide right now.
So you are claiming that the only thing keeping the people of the world from slaughtering each other is religion? I would contend the opposite. I contend that religion is one of the main reasons why people now and in the past have slaughtered each other. Shit, it's all over in the Bible (especially the Old Testament), god commanding "his people" to slaughter everyone else. The difference between my claim and your claim is that my claim is not based upon wishful thinking and unsubstantiated aguments. My claim is based upon history and current events.
You have no evidence for your claim. It's just your imagination... just like your god. This is so typical: religious people spouting their unsubstantiated doom and gloom as if it is factual.
Just wait a few billion years when lions learn how to develop nuclear weapons...then they'll really be king of the jungle and we'll be in trouble!
More doom and gloom. You really are off your rocker, dude. The next time you try to unload your hate on a believer of evidence, make sure you know your facts. If anything, religion will be the end of humanity. Religious people burnt many "witches" at the stake because they believed they had caused the Great Plague. The Catholic church teaches people in AIDS-ridden, African countries to not practice safe sex. How many wars have been fought and people killed in the name of your "merciful" god? Religion has done nothing but impede progress and keep people ignorant. You are living proof of that.
By the way, when lions can develop nuclear weapons, human beings will have developed technology that far exceeds it. So you just keep using unrealistic scenarios in your unrealistic world in order to defend your unrealistic set of superstitions.
The fruits of religion: Turning normal people into flaming psychopaths!
Oh the irony of people like this. They have this view that atheism makes people turn into mindless zombies who run around doing anything evil they can think of. The sad truth, is that it is almost always religious people who are causing the damage. Religious people often threaten the lives of non-believers.
I was driving down the freeway the other day and I noticed up on a hill that someone had put up a hand-written sign that read "Jesus Saves". It had ovbiously been there a while because it looked weathered. I got thinking that if someone was to put up a sign on the side of the freeway that said "Jesus Is A Myth", it would be taken down IMMEDIATELY! The religious people would quickly silence my right to express my views. I'm sure that many atheists have driven past that sign and not one of them has taken it down or vandalized it in any way. We respect their rights to express their views. All we ask is that you don't shove it on other people (like that will ever happen).
In fact, I blogged earlier about the billboard on the freeway in SLC about not believing in god. It is gone now, but shortly before it was replaced, I noticed that someone had splashed a bucket of paint on it. Yes, the religious people truly are intolerant. There are religious billboards all over SLC but not one of them is ever vandalized. If atheists really were the haters that everyone seems to think, then why is it the religious people who are doing all the hating?
Religious people claim to be all about love and yet they threaten people's lives if they dare disagree. Religious people claim to be all about free agency and yet seek to silence anyone who disagrees with them. Religious people claim to be all about everything the Bible says and yet most of them are complete hypocrites. Religious people murder abortion doctors.
It is religious people who cause the trouble of the world. How often do you hear about an atheist in the news for child rape? How many atheists go around removing religious signs reading "Jesus Saves"? How many atheists force their views on others with violence?
If religious people truly believed what they claim to believe, then they would be tolerant of those with differing opinions. Their own icon, Jesus, sat and ate with sinners while the Pharisees looked on and judged both Jesus and the people he ate with. Religious people today are no better than the Pharisees who think they are all high and mighty and better than everyone.
If there is a hell, this person called AtheistsAreDumb will be the first one there for hypocrisy, because that was one of the things which Jesus hated the most! All of these Bible-thumping psychopaths have NO IDEA what the message of Jesus even was. It's pretty sad when an atheist has to remind these people what their own hero taught them.
Isn't there a verse that describes these people perfectly? Oh yes, it is found in Mathew, Chapter 23. Jesus rips the scribes and Pharisees a new one! The whole chapter is awesome, but I especially like these:
Vs. 25: Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess.
Vs. 27: Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men’s bones, and of all uncleanness.
This commenter is not only ignorant about what atheists and science believe, but is no better than a Pharisee with a beam in his eye!
Saturday, August 25, 2012
Saturday, August 18, 2012
Why Follow the Rules?
Many people view atheists as people with no morals, no guidelines, and no respect for authority. I will contend that this is not correct. Atheists do have morals and follow rules.
There are two types of rule followers:
The same is true of mission rules. Most of the rules make no difference other way. For example, the rule to "never be alone" will hurt nothing if it is broken. However, missionaries follow this rule as if their lives depended upon it. There is no real reason for following the rule, other than the rule itself. There is no harm and no sin by being alone for 10 seconds. The only consequence of this rule is getting in trouble with your MP for breaking it. Other than that, it has no consequences.
Mormons follow rules because they are there. Many of them have no additional purpose or reason, other than to just put more restriction on your life. So the sin becomes breaking the rule and not whatever the rule forbade.
There are some rules that are good to follow that are taught by Mormonism.
Rule: Don't steal.
This is a rule that should be followed because it has a good purpose. Stealing is wrong. It can get you into trouble. It can lead to worse things.
Other rules that are good to follow because they have a good reason or purpose:
There are two types of rule followers:
- Those that follow the rule because it is a rule
- Those that follow the rule because it has a good purpose
The same is true of mission rules. Most of the rules make no difference other way. For example, the rule to "never be alone" will hurt nothing if it is broken. However, missionaries follow this rule as if their lives depended upon it. There is no real reason for following the rule, other than the rule itself. There is no harm and no sin by being alone for 10 seconds. The only consequence of this rule is getting in trouble with your MP for breaking it. Other than that, it has no consequences.
Mormons follow rules because they are there. Many of them have no additional purpose or reason, other than to just put more restriction on your life. So the sin becomes breaking the rule and not whatever the rule forbade.
There are some rules that are good to follow that are taught by Mormonism.
Rule: Don't steal.
This is a rule that should be followed because it has a good purpose. Stealing is wrong. It can get you into trouble. It can lead to worse things.
Other rules that are good to follow because they have a good reason or purpose:
- No lying
- No killing
- Obey the law
- Be honest
- Live the Golden Rule
- etc.
These are all good rules to follow that Mormonism teaches. However, these rules are generally taught by all religions and all cultures. One does not need to be Mormon - or even be a believer - in order to know that these are good moral guidelines to live your life by.
So, are you a person who follows rules for the sake of the rule? Or do you live a rule because it has a reason or purpose?
Mormons will try to argue that all rules should be followed because they are given by a true profit. Sometimes the rule has no reason other than to test the people. Are they willing to follow a rule because it was given even if there is no apparent reason? It is a test to see who is truly willing to follow the council of a living profit.
I say that a profit isn't needed if you have enough brains to figure out for yourself what you should and shouldn't be doing without being babysat all the time.
A good example is the Word of Wisdom. It is true that tobacco and alcohol can be very damaging and life destroying if used in excess. However, these things can be fun and enjoyable if used with self control and moderation. Maybe it is a good idea for some people to abstain from alcohol altogether because they easily become addicted to it. That is a personal choice.
I really enjoy a good drink sometimes, but I know my limits and I make sure I have either arranged a ride or just drink at home when I have nowhere to be the next day. I drink very seldom. This is a rule I have made for myself, and I follow it because it is a good guideline for keeping me out of trouble (or out of jail).
Do you follow rules just for the sake of the rule?
I read a comment from a TBM once that really sums it up. It was so revealing that I put it on my sidebar in the "Quotes" section.
"If Jesus told us to brush our teeth with mud, I would do it!"
This person is a moron, but not an atypical Mormon. This is the Mormon attitude. If the profit tells you to jump off a cliff, you'd better be the first one jumping! Don't stop to ask why! Asking leads to doubt. Doubt leads to questioning. Questioning leads to seeking. Seeking leads to apostasy.
This is a path Mormons are never supposed to follow. The only thing they need to follow...
...IS THE PROFIT (and the pointless rules)! I say, turn your brains to the "on" position and live the rules that are most beneficial for you! If you know something will harm you, avoid it because of that reason, NOT because someone else told you to.
No thanks. I prefer to do my own thinking. And guess what??? I am just fine! I have been without the "guidance of the spirit" and the "council of a living prophet" for over 7 years now and my life is just fine. I live by my own set of rules and life is great.
Mormons love to be babysat. They love having someone else direct every detail of their lives. If you ever sit in a fast and testimony meeting, somone, without fail, will get up and state how they don't know where they would be without the church to guide them. That's just sad. So they are basically saying that they are too stupid to make their own life decisions. That might work for them, but not for me!
The more blindly and obediently you follow, the more Jesus will love you!
Saturday, August 11, 2012
Discrimination Against Gay People Is Their Own Fault!
I was eating lunch with a friend the other day and somehow we got on the topic of homosexuals. This friend of mine is TBM, and I actually thought he was rather liberal in his views until this conversation took place.
It wasn't very long and I won't share all of it, but he basically said that gays were unhappy, miserable, and lost. They like to hate everyone and are always angry about something.
Wow! Wouldn't you be angry too if your rights were always being trampled by religious bigots? People like this spout their hate and intolerance and then wonder why the gays don't like it.
When you take someone and define them according to your standards, you shouldn't be surprised when they don't like it. But then, you turn around, because they don't like it, and use their "dislike" of YOUR actions against them as proof that their lifestyle makes them miserable. No, it is your intolerance and bigotry that causes them to have to defend themselves, which you then intrepret as anger and misery.
Example:
"My slaves are always complaining that they don't like being slaves. See what being black makes you do!"
Slaves are complaining because they are slaves. Skin color does not determine how much slavery you enjoy.
"The colonists don't like paying high taxes. See what being far away does to my subjects!"
The colonists complained about high taxes because they were high. Distance does not determine how much taxes you like to pay.
"Women are angry because they can't vote. See what being a woman makes you do!"
Women were angry because their right to vote was withheld. Your gender does not determine your ability to put a checkmark next to a name on a ballot.
"Gays are angry because they can't get married like us. See what being gay makes you do!"
Gays are angry because their rights are being trampled. Your sexual orientation does not determine the level of discrimination you are willing to endure.
Up until now, I held my friend in pretty high esteem. However, his words were so full of bigotry and hate that I don't know if I even want to be his friend anymore.
It wasn't very long and I won't share all of it, but he basically said that gays were unhappy, miserable, and lost. They like to hate everyone and are always angry about something.
Wow! Wouldn't you be angry too if your rights were always being trampled by religious bigots? People like this spout their hate and intolerance and then wonder why the gays don't like it.
When you take someone and define them according to your standards, you shouldn't be surprised when they don't like it. But then, you turn around, because they don't like it, and use their "dislike" of YOUR actions against them as proof that their lifestyle makes them miserable. No, it is your intolerance and bigotry that causes them to have to defend themselves, which you then intrepret as anger and misery.
Example:
"My slaves are always complaining that they don't like being slaves. See what being black makes you do!"
Slaves are complaining because they are slaves. Skin color does not determine how much slavery you enjoy.
"The colonists don't like paying high taxes. See what being far away does to my subjects!"
The colonists complained about high taxes because they were high. Distance does not determine how much taxes you like to pay.
"Women are angry because they can't vote. See what being a woman makes you do!"
Women were angry because their right to vote was withheld. Your gender does not determine your ability to put a checkmark next to a name on a ballot.
"Gays are angry because they can't get married like us. See what being gay makes you do!"
Gays are angry because their rights are being trampled. Your sexual orientation does not determine the level of discrimination you are willing to endure.
Up until now, I held my friend in pretty high esteem. However, his words were so full of bigotry and hate that I don't know if I even want to be his friend anymore.
Saturday, August 4, 2012
I Know An Ex-Mormon Who Was Offended
And she had a damn good reason to be.
In Utah, there are ex-Mormons everywhere. I run into them all the time and have good conversations with them.
Today I spoke with a woman who had left the church. We will call her Jamie. According to her, this is what happened.
Jamie moved into a new ward in one of the more wealthy areas of the Salt Lake Valley and was meeting the members. Her past ward was full of wonderful people and she had a bishop that she adored. She was expecting the same of the new ward.
Jamie's new Relief Society president anxiously welcomed her and immediately began to inform her of upcoming events, which were regularly held on several days of the week.
Jamie thanked her for the information and told RSP that she worked on many of those days and would not be able to make it to all of them but would attend as often as she could.
The RSP suddenly changed from a nice, smiling woman to a condescending snob and said, "Oh, you are a working mother."
She then turned her back on Jamie and walked away.
Yes, sometimes ex-Mormons leave the church because someone offended them. There is no excuse for the way this RSP handled the situation. I would have been offended too. I would have let that condescening bitch bask in all of her righteous glory... with me not there.
In Utah, there are ex-Mormons everywhere. I run into them all the time and have good conversations with them.
Today I spoke with a woman who had left the church. We will call her Jamie. According to her, this is what happened.
Jamie moved into a new ward in one of the more wealthy areas of the Salt Lake Valley and was meeting the members. Her past ward was full of wonderful people and she had a bishop that she adored. She was expecting the same of the new ward.
Jamie's new Relief Society president anxiously welcomed her and immediately began to inform her of upcoming events, which were regularly held on several days of the week.
Jamie thanked her for the information and told RSP that she worked on many of those days and would not be able to make it to all of them but would attend as often as she could.
The RSP suddenly changed from a nice, smiling woman to a condescending snob and said, "Oh, you are a working mother."
She then turned her back on Jamie and walked away.
Yes, sometimes ex-Mormons leave the church because someone offended them. There is no excuse for the way this RSP handled the situation. I would have been offended too. I would have let that condescening bitch bask in all of her righteous glory... with me not there.
Saturday, July 28, 2012
Illogical Logic
The LDS church has 12 apostles. Christ's original church had 12 apostles. Therefore, the LDS church is Christ's original church.
Soccer balls are black and white. Some old TV shows are black and white. Therefore, soccer balls are old TV shows.
God created the earth. How do we know? The Bible says so. How do we know the Bible is true? Because God wrote it and He never lies. How do we know he never lies? The Bible says He doesn't. How do we know God wrote it? The Bible says He did. Therefore, it is true.
God proves the Bible, and the Bible proves god. This is called circular logic. And people use it as proof of their imaginary friend.
The Blackfeet have black feet and always lie. The Whitefeet have white feet and never lie. They both look the same except their foot color. They all wear shoes so you can't see their feet. If you see one and ask him what he is, what will he say? Naturally, he will say, "I'm a Whitefoot." You see, a Blackfoot will lie, saying he is a Whitefoot. A Whitefoot will tell the truth saying he is a Whitefoot.
Isn't this kind of how religion works? Whether they have "the truth" or not, they will all claim that they do.
Joseph Smith truly was a prophet! How do I know? Because the Book of Mormon prophesies that its translator would be named Joseph!
He could have easily written the Book of Mormon and put that part in himself.
http://www4.caes.hku.hk/acadgrammar/general/argue/illogic/detectin.htm
I heard of a person who was shot in the head and survived. It's a miracle and proof that god is real!
So every time a person is shot in the head and dies, does that prove god isn't real? For the sake of YOUR argument, I hope not, because the score is like 5 to 10,000!
I have the priesthood. I can prove it with my line of authority all the way back to Jesus Christ!
So, you can show me some names on a piece of paper. The only thing that proves is that there are names on a piece of paper.
Faith can move mountains.
Then why do mountains never move? I thought plate tectonics (earthquakes) could move mountains. What? Earthquakes are caused by faith? Funny, I thought earthquakes are god's way of punishing people. So, faith in god produces earthquakes, but earthquakes are a punishment. Makes a ton of sense.
I know Joseph Smith was a true prophet.
I know the Flying Spaghetti Monster loves me. And nothing you can say will make me change my mind, damn it!
Choose The Right.
"Right" is matter of personal interpretation. For me, atheism is right.
In the end, Christ will win.
The rebels eventually win in Starwars. But does that make them the good guys? From the Empire's point of view, they are terrorists and traitors.
A Mormon priesthood holder is kind of like a Jedi Knight.
No, he's not. A Jedi can force choke your ass! Can a priesthood holder do that (or anything special for that matter)? Besides, there are female Jedi, but no female preisthood holders.
What other illogical logic have you heard?
Soccer balls are black and white. Some old TV shows are black and white. Therefore, soccer balls are old TV shows.
God created the earth. How do we know? The Bible says so. How do we know the Bible is true? Because God wrote it and He never lies. How do we know he never lies? The Bible says He doesn't. How do we know God wrote it? The Bible says He did. Therefore, it is true.
God proves the Bible, and the Bible proves god. This is called circular logic. And people use it as proof of their imaginary friend.
The Blackfeet have black feet and always lie. The Whitefeet have white feet and never lie. They both look the same except their foot color. They all wear shoes so you can't see their feet. If you see one and ask him what he is, what will he say? Naturally, he will say, "I'm a Whitefoot." You see, a Blackfoot will lie, saying he is a Whitefoot. A Whitefoot will tell the truth saying he is a Whitefoot.
Isn't this kind of how religion works? Whether they have "the truth" or not, they will all claim that they do.
Joseph Smith truly was a prophet! How do I know? Because the Book of Mormon prophesies that its translator would be named Joseph!
He could have easily written the Book of Mormon and put that part in himself.
http://www4.caes.hku.hk/acadgrammar/general/argue/illogic/detectin.htm
I heard of a person who was shot in the head and survived. It's a miracle and proof that god is real!
So every time a person is shot in the head and dies, does that prove god isn't real? For the sake of YOUR argument, I hope not, because the score is like 5 to 10,000!
I have the priesthood. I can prove it with my line of authority all the way back to Jesus Christ!
So, you can show me some names on a piece of paper. The only thing that proves is that there are names on a piece of paper.
Faith can move mountains.
Then why do mountains never move? I thought plate tectonics (earthquakes) could move mountains. What? Earthquakes are caused by faith? Funny, I thought earthquakes are god's way of punishing people. So, faith in god produces earthquakes, but earthquakes are a punishment. Makes a ton of sense.
I know Joseph Smith was a true prophet.
I know the Flying Spaghetti Monster loves me. And nothing you can say will make me change my mind, damn it!
Choose The Right.
"Right" is matter of personal interpretation. For me, atheism is right.
In the end, Christ will win.
The rebels eventually win in Starwars. But does that make them the good guys? From the Empire's point of view, they are terrorists and traitors.
A Mormon priesthood holder is kind of like a Jedi Knight.
No, he's not. A Jedi can force choke your ass! Can a priesthood holder do that (or anything special for that matter)? Besides, there are female Jedi, but no female preisthood holders.
What other illogical logic have you heard?
Saturday, July 21, 2012
Joseph Smith Prophesied Himself
2 Nephi 3:11,14-15
11 But a seer will I raise up out of the fruit of thy loins; and unto him will I give power to bring forth my word unto the seed of thy loins—and not to the bringing forth my word only, saith the Lord, but to the convincing them of my word, which shall have already gone forth among them.
14 And thus prophesied Joseph, saying: Behold, that seer will the Lord bless; and they that seek to destroy him shall be confounded; for this promise, which I have obtained of the Lord, of the fruit of my loins, shall be fulfilled. Behold, I am sure of the fulfilling of this promise;
15 And his name shall be called after me; and it shall be after the name of his father. And he shall be like unto me; for the thing, which the Lord shall bring forth by his hand, by the power of the Lord shall bring my people unto salvation.
To an LDS person, this passage of scripture is amazing. The Book of Mormon actually predicts that a seer would come forth named Joseph who's father was also named Joseph.
The Book of Mormon also predicts the discovery and founding of the United States of America.
Naturally, to myself this is not impressive at all.
Which is more likely, that Joseph Smith translated an ancient record that happens to predict him by name, OR that Joseph Smith made it all up?
If he made it up, he could have easily written in the prophesy about his own prophethood.
And since the BoM was published in 1830 and Columbus discovered the Americas in 1492, that prophesy doesn't count. A prophesy given after the fact is not a prophesy.
What if I claimed to find a book but would never let anyone see it? It was found in 2012 but was written in 1800. What if I told everyone that the book was written in a different language, but only I could interpret it? What if I shared a story out of this book where a tower is destroyed by an aircraft on Sept 11, 2001? What if I shared another story out of the book where it names me by name claiming that I would find it and interpret it? Would that make me a prophet? What that make the book true?
It must. Because that is exactly what Joseph Smith did.
Isn't it a little odd that Joseph Smith was "commanded" not to show the golden plates to anyone? Isn't it a little odd that they do not exist to be examined and scrutinized? Isn't it odd that two of the supposed "witnesses" of the golden plates left the church? Isn't it odd that before Joseph Smith found the golden plates he was convicted of "glass looking" and found guilty of fraud?
Yes, the golden plates story was just the next step up in Smith's gold digging scam, complete with magical peeping stones, or as the LDS like to call them, the Urim and Thummim.
A book that predicts itself. A prophet who predicts himself. Witnesses who can't stick around. No golden plates to examine...
Do the math.
11 But a seer will I raise up out of the fruit of thy loins; and unto him will I give power to bring forth my word unto the seed of thy loins—and not to the bringing forth my word only, saith the Lord, but to the convincing them of my word, which shall have already gone forth among them.
14 And thus prophesied Joseph, saying: Behold, that seer will the Lord bless; and they that seek to destroy him shall be confounded; for this promise, which I have obtained of the Lord, of the fruit of my loins, shall be fulfilled. Behold, I am sure of the fulfilling of this promise;
15 And his name shall be called after me; and it shall be after the name of his father. And he shall be like unto me; for the thing, which the Lord shall bring forth by his hand, by the power of the Lord shall bring my people unto salvation.
To an LDS person, this passage of scripture is amazing. The Book of Mormon actually predicts that a seer would come forth named Joseph who's father was also named Joseph.
The Book of Mormon also predicts the discovery and founding of the United States of America.
Naturally, to myself this is not impressive at all.
Which is more likely, that Joseph Smith translated an ancient record that happens to predict him by name, OR that Joseph Smith made it all up?
If he made it up, he could have easily written in the prophesy about his own prophethood.
And since the BoM was published in 1830 and Columbus discovered the Americas in 1492, that prophesy doesn't count. A prophesy given after the fact is not a prophesy.
What if I claimed to find a book but would never let anyone see it? It was found in 2012 but was written in 1800. What if I told everyone that the book was written in a different language, but only I could interpret it? What if I shared a story out of this book where a tower is destroyed by an aircraft on Sept 11, 2001? What if I shared another story out of the book where it names me by name claiming that I would find it and interpret it? Would that make me a prophet? What that make the book true?
It must. Because that is exactly what Joseph Smith did.
Isn't it a little odd that Joseph Smith was "commanded" not to show the golden plates to anyone? Isn't it a little odd that they do not exist to be examined and scrutinized? Isn't it odd that two of the supposed "witnesses" of the golden plates left the church? Isn't it odd that before Joseph Smith found the golden plates he was convicted of "glass looking" and found guilty of fraud?
Yes, the golden plates story was just the next step up in Smith's gold digging scam, complete with magical peeping stones, or as the LDS like to call them, the Urim and Thummim.
A book that predicts itself. A prophet who predicts himself. Witnesses who can't stick around. No golden plates to examine...
Do the math.
Saturday, July 14, 2012
Funny Religious Signs...
...and my responses to them!
Don't go to church. Your brain might atrophy!
And you wonder why people call you bigots.
That's true American religion right there... Doing absolutely nothing for eternal salvation!
Shouldn't this one say, "If creationism is true, how come mothers only have two hands?"
Better pay your fire insurance!
Yep, snow has nothing to do with nature. I guess all the people living around the equator are just godless heathens.
Don't go to church. Your brain might atrophy!
And you wonder why people call you bigots.
That's true American religion right there... Doing absolutely nothing for eternal salvation!
Shouldn't this one say, "If creationism is true, how come mothers only have two hands?"
Better pay your fire insurance!
Yep, snow has nothing to do with nature. I guess all the people living around the equator are just godless heathens.
Oops, did I upload this one twice?
Saturday, July 7, 2012
I Told You So!
There are few huge disappointments about the reality that there is probably no god and it has to do with the afterlife, although not in the way you might think.
Throughout my life, there have been random individuals who have really treated me badly. Some of them are former co-workers, some are ex-brother's in law. As a believer, I used to feel secure knowing that even though they might have gotten away with what they did to me in this life, in the end god would make them pay.
The harsh reality is that there will be no vengence. Damn!
The other thing that sucks about being an atheist...
When we are all dead and there is no afterlife, I won't be able to rub it in the faces of all the gullible believers. I'll cease to exist and so will they. It's a humbling thought really, knowing that I'll never be able to say, "I TOLD YOU SO!"
But atheism isn't about being the one who's right. It isn't about who's god has a bigger dick. It's just caring enough about the truth to let the dogma go.
Throughout my life, there have been random individuals who have really treated me badly. Some of them are former co-workers, some are ex-brother's in law. As a believer, I used to feel secure knowing that even though they might have gotten away with what they did to me in this life, in the end god would make them pay.
The harsh reality is that there will be no vengence. Damn!
The other thing that sucks about being an atheist...
When we are all dead and there is no afterlife, I won't be able to rub it in the faces of all the gullible believers. I'll cease to exist and so will they. It's a humbling thought really, knowing that I'll never be able to say, "I TOLD YOU SO!"
But atheism isn't about being the one who's right. It isn't about who's god has a bigger dick. It's just caring enough about the truth to let the dogma go.
Saturday, June 30, 2012
Things Mormons DON'T Want To Talk About!
A sure way to get the Mormons off your porch is to start talking about stuff that they don't want to hear. There are some subjects that Mormons would literally rather die than talk about.
First is the temple. They don't mind talking about the temple itself; in fact, they do it all the time. But the secret, I mean sacred, ceremonies that go on inside are top secret! They do not even talk about it with each other outside of the temple walls. And even then, it's not really a popular topic of discussion.
I had just newly been through the temple and went with a friend on my second or third session. After it was over and we were still in the temple, I asked my friend a questions and she didn't know the answer. So we stopped a temple worker and asked her. Her response, "We don't discuss those things." (And I thought she was kind of rude about it too).
Going along with the secrets of the temple is your new temple name.* This name should NEVER be revealed. It is absolutely taboo to ask someone what their temple name is. You do not ask, and you do not tell. The ONE time when a woman reveals her name to her husband is during their temple wedding ceremony. The wife will never know her husbands new name. The only other time you reveal your name is during the endowment ceremony, but then it is only to a temple worker who already knows what it is anyway.
So if you want the Mormons to really squirm, just ask them what their temple name is. They will scurry away like mice that hear the cat bell... like roaches when the light comes on... like children who are given vegetables for dinner.
* Whats in a name? They are usually Biblical or Book of Mormon names that are used in everyday religious discussions.
Next are the temple garments. Mormons are given this sacred underwear on their first trip through the temple and are instructed to wear it their entire life (they are even buried wearing them). The garments have Masonic symbols sewn into them and they represent different things.
Mormons believe that wearing garments can give them several benefits, such as a reminder of temple covenants. Another benefit is supposedly physical protection.
Garments are viewed as sacred and holy and should not be treated as just any underwear. They should never be left on the floor. As with the temple ceremony, Mormons are instructed to not talk about the garments or their marks and meanings.
Polygamy is another taboo topic in Mormonism. While the members will discuss it, they prefer not to. Many members don't know that Joseph Smith was a polygamist, having as many as 33 wives, many of whom were married women and young girls.
The idea behind polygamy (as taught in church) was for a few reasons. One reason was to populate the church so that it could grow quickly. Even the early church leaders knew the best converts are the ones they can brainwash from infancy. The second reason for polygamy was to provide husbands for the women who had lost husbands. Yea, stupid, I know.
The real reason for polygamy was to cover up Joseph Smith's secret affairs. When he got caught having an affair on Emma, he claimed he was doing it because god had commanded him to.
Personally, the idea of being a polygamist scares the hell out of me! One wife is hard enough to deal with and provide for. One kid is hard enough and expensive enough to rear. Why add so much more unnecessary complication to your life? The whole idea came about because Smith couldn't keep his willy in his pants.
Anti-Mormonism - Mormons would rather drink poison than see or discuss what they call "anti-Mormon literature". In the mind of a Mormon, the church is the literal kingdom of god and therefore, anyone who speaks evil of it, is an agent of Satan himself. That would be me. Everything that disagrees with the church or its doctrine is a lie made up by evil men, most of whom were once members that were deceived by the lies of Satan and fell from grace.
Being in this fallen state, they are bitter and angry, and they fight against the true church even though they still know it's true. They want you to be as miserable as they are. Thus, many Mormons comment here to me about how I "still know it's true". They ask why I fight against god. They literally believe that I know it's true and am lashing out in bitterness and anger in a fit of rage because either 1) I committed a sin and it's eating me inside, or 2) someone offended me.
Therefore, Mormons are warned to AVOID anti-Mormon literature at all costs because it can... catch this... be devastating to your testimony! So, if I make a good argument why the church isn't true, 99% of Mormons will shrug it off, because their leaders have warned them that the devil would make convincing lies against it. The very fact that I am fighting against the "true church" proves that Satan is real (at least in their minds) and can deceive many carefully down to hell. This is part of the reason why Mormons have such a persecution complex.
Anything that makes Joseph Smith or his successors look bad is a HUGE LIE!
In fact, if anything disagrees with Mormonism, they don't want to discuss it. If any discussion does occur, the Mormon will be on the defense the whole time. In the end, they will accuse you of attacking them and will try to bear their testimony to you.
Heavenly Mother - Yes, just as we have a father in heaven, we also have a mother in heaven whom is god's wife that he was sealed to in a temple on a planet before god was god. Together, they progressed to perfection until "BOOM" god became God. He and his many heavenly wives had sex and made spirit children to start the cycle all over again. (How can two people with physical bodies make spirit babies?)
Heavenly Mother is not discussed much. The reason is for her own protection. You see, the name of god is taken in vain all the time, and god, who respects his wife, does not want his wife's name to be used in that manner. Therefore, speaking of her is very limited. The Mormons do not want the world to know that they believe in a heavenly mother.
Personal experiences - Mormons receive the example from their leaders who often tell members that they have had experiences that are too sacred to share. Therefore, members will also do this sometimes. They claim they have had sacred visions or whatever, but will refuse to share. From the highest levels of the church to the lowest, I think it's a cop out!
The following is a true story, I swear on my life! I had a companion on my mission who, while saying a prayer, would stop right in the middle of a sentence and start snapping his fingers. I wish I was making this up! He would snap loudly three or four times and then continue on with the prayer. Sometimes he would do two or three reps in a single prayer. (No, this guy was NOT normal). Anyway, when I asked him one day why he always snapped during prayers, his reply was (and I'm not making this up), "I can't tell you. It's sacred."
I have heard many members claim, usually in testimony meeting, that they have had personal experiences too sacred to share.
Can anyone else think of something that Mormons don't like to talk about?
First is the temple. They don't mind talking about the temple itself; in fact, they do it all the time. But the secret, I mean sacred, ceremonies that go on inside are top secret! They do not even talk about it with each other outside of the temple walls. And even then, it's not really a popular topic of discussion.
I had just newly been through the temple and went with a friend on my second or third session. After it was over and we were still in the temple, I asked my friend a questions and she didn't know the answer. So we stopped a temple worker and asked her. Her response, "We don't discuss those things." (And I thought she was kind of rude about it too).
Going along with the secrets of the temple is your new temple name.* This name should NEVER be revealed. It is absolutely taboo to ask someone what their temple name is. You do not ask, and you do not tell. The ONE time when a woman reveals her name to her husband is during their temple wedding ceremony. The wife will never know her husbands new name. The only other time you reveal your name is during the endowment ceremony, but then it is only to a temple worker who already knows what it is anyway.
So if you want the Mormons to really squirm, just ask them what their temple name is. They will scurry away like mice that hear the cat bell... like roaches when the light comes on... like children who are given vegetables for dinner.
* Whats in a name? They are usually Biblical or Book of Mormon names that are used in everyday religious discussions.
Next are the temple garments. Mormons are given this sacred underwear on their first trip through the temple and are instructed to wear it their entire life (they are even buried wearing them). The garments have Masonic symbols sewn into them and they represent different things.
Mormons believe that wearing garments can give them several benefits, such as a reminder of temple covenants. Another benefit is supposedly physical protection.
Garments are viewed as sacred and holy and should not be treated as just any underwear. They should never be left on the floor. As with the temple ceremony, Mormons are instructed to not talk about the garments or their marks and meanings.
Polygamy is another taboo topic in Mormonism. While the members will discuss it, they prefer not to. Many members don't know that Joseph Smith was a polygamist, having as many as 33 wives, many of whom were married women and young girls.
The idea behind polygamy (as taught in church) was for a few reasons. One reason was to populate the church so that it could grow quickly. Even the early church leaders knew the best converts are the ones they can brainwash from infancy. The second reason for polygamy was to provide husbands for the women who had lost husbands. Yea, stupid, I know.
The real reason for polygamy was to cover up Joseph Smith's secret affairs. When he got caught having an affair on Emma, he claimed he was doing it because god had commanded him to.
Personally, the idea of being a polygamist scares the hell out of me! One wife is hard enough to deal with and provide for. One kid is hard enough and expensive enough to rear. Why add so much more unnecessary complication to your life? The whole idea came about because Smith couldn't keep his willy in his pants.
Anti-Mormonism - Mormons would rather drink poison than see or discuss what they call "anti-Mormon literature". In the mind of a Mormon, the church is the literal kingdom of god and therefore, anyone who speaks evil of it, is an agent of Satan himself. That would be me. Everything that disagrees with the church or its doctrine is a lie made up by evil men, most of whom were once members that were deceived by the lies of Satan and fell from grace.
Being in this fallen state, they are bitter and angry, and they fight against the true church even though they still know it's true. They want you to be as miserable as they are. Thus, many Mormons comment here to me about how I "still know it's true". They ask why I fight against god. They literally believe that I know it's true and am lashing out in bitterness and anger in a fit of rage because either 1) I committed a sin and it's eating me inside, or 2) someone offended me.
Therefore, Mormons are warned to AVOID anti-Mormon literature at all costs because it can... catch this... be devastating to your testimony! So, if I make a good argument why the church isn't true, 99% of Mormons will shrug it off, because their leaders have warned them that the devil would make convincing lies against it. The very fact that I am fighting against the "true church" proves that Satan is real (at least in their minds) and can deceive many carefully down to hell. This is part of the reason why Mormons have such a persecution complex.
Anything that makes Joseph Smith or his successors look bad is a HUGE LIE!
In fact, if anything disagrees with Mormonism, they don't want to discuss it. If any discussion does occur, the Mormon will be on the defense the whole time. In the end, they will accuse you of attacking them and will try to bear their testimony to you.
Heavenly Mother - Yes, just as we have a father in heaven, we also have a mother in heaven whom is god's wife that he was sealed to in a temple on a planet before god was god. Together, they progressed to perfection until "BOOM" god became God. He and his many heavenly wives had sex and made spirit children to start the cycle all over again. (How can two people with physical bodies make spirit babies?)
Heavenly Mother is not discussed much. The reason is for her own protection. You see, the name of god is taken in vain all the time, and god, who respects his wife, does not want his wife's name to be used in that manner. Therefore, speaking of her is very limited. The Mormons do not want the world to know that they believe in a heavenly mother.
Personal experiences - Mormons receive the example from their leaders who often tell members that they have had experiences that are too sacred to share. Therefore, members will also do this sometimes. They claim they have had sacred visions or whatever, but will refuse to share. From the highest levels of the church to the lowest, I think it's a cop out!
The following is a true story, I swear on my life! I had a companion on my mission who, while saying a prayer, would stop right in the middle of a sentence and start snapping his fingers. I wish I was making this up! He would snap loudly three or four times and then continue on with the prayer. Sometimes he would do two or three reps in a single prayer. (No, this guy was NOT normal). Anyway, when I asked him one day why he always snapped during prayers, his reply was (and I'm not making this up), "I can't tell you. It's sacred."
I have heard many members claim, usually in testimony meeting, that they have had personal experiences too sacred to share.
Can anyone else think of something that Mormons don't like to talk about?
Saturday, June 23, 2012
Green
Aside from the fact that green is my favorite color, has anyone ever wondered why I have chosen a green template for this blog?
The word "green" comes from the Old English word growan, which means "to grow." While green is associated with other meanings, the main idea is that of growth or new life.
New life!
When you discover the truth about Mormonism, you begin a new life.
Kermit the Frog said it best: "It isn't easy being green!"
The word "green" comes from the Old English word growan, which means "to grow." While green is associated with other meanings, the main idea is that of growth or new life.
New life!
When you discover the truth about Mormonism, you begin a new life.
Kermit the Frog said it best: "It isn't easy being green!"
May we all embrace our inner Kermit!
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