"Bless You"

Is it just me, or is it terribly annoying when someone says "Bless You" whenever you sneeze?  I realize it is a social courtesy of politeness, but is it really necessary?  What is the purpose of blessing someone for a natural bodily function?  How come we don't have social niceties for when someone burps, or coughs, or farts?

I'm not necessarily offended when someone says "Bless You."  I know they are simply trying to be polite.  But it does get old having to thank someone for giving me an undesired and unnecessary blessing.  Does anyone else feel this way?

Why do we do it?

A quick internet search revealed a few possible origins for this practice. One of which was the bubonic plague in which a sneeze meant you were probably infected and a "bless you" was used in hopes of warding off the disease.

Another possible origin is the folk belief that a sneeze open up a person's soul and would therefore allow evil spirits to enter the body. "Bless You" was believed to be a sort of shield against evil.

Of course now, thanks to science, we know that a "Bless You" does not stop an illness from spreading.  And religion has always had irrational beliefs that have no evidence that they actually work or are even necessary.

Whatever the source, it is an unnecessary social pleasantry that I would personally love to see disappear.

Thoughts?

Good Life, Bad Life

I have been away from the blogging world for about six months and during that time I suppose I got out of the routine of getting on the blog to write my thoughts and check for comments and emails.

When I announced 6 months ago that I would be taking a temporary leave of absense, someone left a comment asking me if I was going to jail.

No.  But the question made me laugh!

I was going through a very transitional time.  I was between jobs and was asked to move out from the family member I was living with.  I was honestly prepared to live in my car for a while.  Fortunately that never had to happen as family and friends were gracious enough to let me couch surf for a few months.  That was an interesting experience.

There has been more going on but it's not really revalent to talk about.  This is the Mormon411 blog and I wouldn't be writing this if I didn't have a thought on the subject, and my little pre-story fits in with what I am about to share.

I was invited to dinner with an LDS friend and her family and her non-LDS boyfriend who was investigating the church.  I didn't know it until I showed up, but there were also two LDS missionaries invited.  The boyfriend had been meeting with the missionaries and was moving away so the dinner was kind of a farewell party.

After dinner, the missionaries were asked to share a message and as I listened to what they were saying, I realized what a negative outlook Mormons have on the world.

As this boyfriend was moving away to go to school, the missionaries shared how he would have trials and hardships but by relying on Jesus Christ, he could make it through.  Maybe I'm being too critical, but I realized that I always hear this.  I always hear from Mormons how hard and terrible life is, and how only the church gets them through.  With them, it's always a focus on how hard life is and how horrible the world is.

Life is hard.  That's a fact.  I was unemployed and on the verge of being homeless.  However, I made it though without one single prayer or one single step inside a church.  I didn't rely on Jesus to get me through it. I relied on myself and the kindness of those who were willing to help me.

But I can honestly say that during this very hard time, I was happy!  I viewed it as an adventure.  I look back and am proud that I not only made it through, but had a great time doing it!  It didn't make me feel like turning to faith for reassurance.  It made me look inside myself.  It made me a stronger person, and neither Jesus nor religion had anything to do with it!

I have since secured a great job and place to live.  I have paid off over $10,000 in debt.  I have money in the bank, food in the fridge, gas in the car, a roof over my head, and a smile on my face.  Life really isn't about what happens to us.  It's about how we react to it.

I know, it really sounds like I'm tooting my own horn and patting myself on the back.  But that's really not what this is about.  It's about my belief that religion is completely unnecessary to make it through the hardships of life.  Personally, the lack of religion has made it easier!

M411 Takes A Leave of Absense

Mormon411 is displeased to announce that, effective immediately, because of some circumstances beyond his control, he will be unable to blog for a while.  This includes responding to comments and emails.  I wish it wasn't this way and I hope to be back soon.  It might be several months or maybe just a few weeks.  Let's hope the latter.

I will be back, promise.  Just not sure when.

Praise Un-god

People all over the world make the mistake of thinking that their beliefs brings them good fortune, or that their good fortune validates their beliefs, or that the misfortune of others is their punishment for not sharing the same beliefs.

I have an idea. Let's try the religious way of proving atheism is true and that un-god is the true un-deity (the non-existent god of atheism).  Hey, it works for them so why wouldn't it work for us?

About a week ago, I had an inflamed gum.. I was worried it might develop into an infection or a toothache.  I flossed, rinsed with mouthwash, and un-prayed to un-god.  It went away!  I didn't need a doctor or a drug.  Therefore, atheism is true and un-god healed me.

It seems that in my daily experience I come across the numbers 411 quite regularly.  Sometimes it's the time, sometimes it's my score on a game, sometimes it's a page number...  Whatever it is, it must be a sign because I see it a lot.  Therefore, Mormon411 must be un-god's favorite atheist blog.

I got what I wanted for Christmas.  Therefore un-god heard all my un-prayers.  Therefore, un-god is the true un-deity.

I was driving one time and felt like I should slow down.  I did and passed a cop watching for speeders.  If I hadn't listened to the prompting from un-god, I would have got a speeding ticket.

I needed a job.  So I went out and I filled out dozens of applications.  I busted my butt and finally got hired.  Praise un-god!  I did all the work, but un-god gets all the credit.  Un-god helps those who help themselves.

One time I got sick and needed a surgery.  So I went to a hospital that employs doctors and surgeons who have had many years of study and training.  I un-prayed.  My surgery and recovery were a complete success thanks to un-god.  He heard my un-prayers.  The doctors had nothing to do with it.

Un-god is my creator so all those blasphemers like Moses and Isaiah ceased to exist when they died.

Un-god hates all the same things I do.

I am a true prophet of un-god.  Therefore, anything I say is the will of un-god.  He wants you to pay me a lot of money and do everything I say.  He wants me to have sex with your daughters (and your wives if they're hot).

I almost drowned as a kid, but someone saved me.  Good thing un-god was there.  The person who saved me doesn't believe in un-god.  Heathen!

When I was trying to upload the picture for this post, my computer was being stupid.  Therefore, un-satan must be trying to stop this work.  Un-satan is un-god's nemesis and immortal enemy.  Un-satan doesn't want you to know about un-god.  If you are not with un-god, then you are against him.

Un-god is totally logical.  He is everywhere and nowhere.  Although you can't see or hear him, he is there.  It doesn't matter if you don't believe in un-god; your disbelief doesn't change the fact that he really exists!

My neighbor got a flat tire.  That's because he doesn't believe in un-god.

I got a flat tire.  That's because un-god is testing me.

My neighbor who doesn't believe in un-god found $100.  He just got lucky (I suspect he might believe in un-satan.  Un-satan is fooling him into a false sense of security by providing false miracles).  He used it to buy a new tire.

I found $100.  I passed the test so un-god provided me with a way to buy a new tire.

Un-god really wants me to convert my unbelieving neighbor.  I'll make cookies for him and pretend to be his friend.

The will of un-god is absolute and unchanging.  So un-praying makes no difference at all.

Un-god doesn't really care what you do with your life as long as you believe in him.

All the school shootings on the news and the bad storms across the country are un-god's way of trying to get the focus back on him.  Somehow, he thinks violence and misery is how that should be done.  I don't question it though; un-god knows what he's doing.

I un-prayed for my sick neighbor and she recovered.  I un-prayed for another sick neighbor and she died.  Either way, the will of un-god was done.  My un-prayers really work!

Un-god teaches that we should be good because we want to be, not because we are afraid of un-hell.

Un-god created the earth.  The earth exists.  Therefore, un-god exists.  Beat that!

When I first heard about un-god, I felt good.  That's how I know atheism is true.  And you can never convince me otherwise, no matter how much faith you throw at me!  Un-god told me you would try to convince me he isn't real.  He said you'd say he's just a figment of my imagination.  I can't see him and openly admit there is no actual proof he exists, but that doesn't make a difference.  I don't trust anyone but un-god.

Un-god is NOT my imaginary friend!!!!!!  Un-god is real, damn it!!!!!

The Advantage of Always Being Right...

...is that if you are wrong, you're still right.

It is a pretty bold claim to be the only true church, lead by prophets and apostles who walk and talk with god.  They are the mouthpiece for the lord so anything they say is the lord's will.  In other words, continuing revelation.  But what if something that was taught is later shown to be wrong?  This would place the church in a dangerous position, thin ice so to speak.

If a teaching came from a prophet, then it is true.  Period.  Debate over.

However, if faced with the undeniable truth that something in the past was wrong, the church makes themselves look like asses no matter what they do..

If they admit they were wrong, then they discredit their own claim of infallibility.

If they won't admit they were wrong, then it makes them look like asshats who refuse to own up to their mistakes and take a little accountability.

Brigham Young was very clear and blunt in his teachings that black people were inferior.  He made very racist statements such as:

• black people would never be free because god didn't want them to be.
• anyone who married or had sex with a black person deserved to die.
• black people would NEVER have the priesthood.
• black people might make it to heaven, but would be servants to the whites.
• black people were less valiant in the pre-existence.

Now, just recently, they have renounced all these teachings.  While this is good progress (something they take a while to get the hang of), they are basically admitting that all the prophets who taught these things were wrong.  That includes pretty much all of them.  That is a hard pill for the LDS church to swallow!

And just as in the past when the world was struggling to overcome the ugliness of racism and segregation, the world is now struggling with the gay rights issue.  If the church is just now joining the rest of the world in speaking out against racism, then that means in about 50 years, the church will renounce their viewpoint and will try to downplay their shameful behavior during the gay rights era.

I wonder...  Is their eliminating racist teachings a way to balance out the negative publicity they are getting on the gay rights issue?  It seems so to me.  The church is very self serving.  They will not make any changes unless it is in their own best interest.  In fact, the reason they gave the priesthood to blacks in 1978 was because they were threatened by the federal government of having their "tax exempt" status stripped.  This would cost them a fortune.

The LDS church will only change their stance on gay rights when either they receive so much negative publicity that they lose members by the thousands, or the federal government steps in and threatens them again with losing their tax exempt status if they don't respect the law.

This of itself is funny because the church arrogantly claims that since it is the kingdom of god, it is above the law.  The church DOES NOT change it's policies to conform to popular opinion.  But as we can see, they do.  I just find it funny that the more they claim to be lead by "the lord" the more they end up looking like foolish and arrogant pricks.

I wonder when their swarm of lies and mis-truths will all come crashing down on them.  It is their own arrogance that will be their undoing.  And yet, by letting go of their arrogance and admitting to fault, they are also shooting themselves in the foot.  No matter what they do, the day of reckoning is coming.  In fact, I think it is close.

LDS church members are very aware of the church changing policies and are already making up their little excuses to explain it away.  Please consider this article:

http://www.gospelstudyjournal.org/why-do-lds-church-policies-change/

According to this article, god doesn't change... He modifies. Change the verb and there you have it! It's all still true! Praise Joseph Smith!  Consider this quote:

"When I hear that a certain number of changes have been made in the Book of Mormon, or to the temple endowment, or to whatever thing, that doesn’t bother me a bit."

Of course it doesn't, because you are operating on the premise that the church is ultimately true no matter what happens.  If TSM was arrested for hiring a prostitute, the members would justify it and explain it away.  If the Mormons were found to be building an atomic bomb under Temple Square, they would find some reason to explain why terrorism is okay with god.  No matter what happens, the Mormons will always have their explanations and loopholes.  And it doesn't matter what they are as long as it is some answer that somehow makes all the problems fit together.

In a nutshell:

1. The church is true no matter what
2. If the church is not true, see #1
3. The prophet is never wrong
4. If the prophet is wrong, see #3
5. The church never changes
6. If the church changes, see #5
7. If we're wrong, we're not wrong.

Changes made in the church (although the church is eternal and unchanging):

1. Polygamy renounced in 1890
2. Priesthood given to blacks in 1978
3. All past racist teachings officially eliminated in 2013
4. Temple ceremonies changed many times, most recently in 2005
5. Hundreds of changes made to scriptures (BoM, D&C, PoGP, Bible)
6. Conference talks edited and sometimes completely removed
7. Doctrine changes (Catholic church is the church of the devil, etc.)

They scream persecution every chance they get, but they are surely active in persecuting others who differ from them.  Very shameful, not to mention hypocritical.  You'd think for a religion that wants so badly to be "left alone", they sure can't wait to point out how wrong everyone else is!

How A Patriarchal Blessing Destroyed My Marriage

For my readers who might not know, a Patriarchal Blessing is a guide for LDS people.  It sometimes predicts the future and is supposed to give guidance.

Every worthy member is encouraged to get their blessing.  It is usually given to people shortly before they leave on a mission or get married.

In every stake, there is a man called a patriarch.  He is the person who gives the blessings.  Upon being determined worthy (there is a lot of that in Mormonism) the candidate will usually go right to the patriarch's home.  There, he will give them a special blessing.  This blessing is recorded and transcribed.  They are kept on record and a copy is sent to the recipient. 

Members are encouraged to read their blessing often for guidance in making life decisions.  They are told to not share their blessing freely with others.  Many Mormons take this advice very seriously and really do expect that the promises and predictions that are made will someday come to pass.

It can give general advice like, obey the commandments and you will be blessed.  They will often state that the person will serve an honorable mission or will get married in the temple and have lots of babies.  Or it can give very specific advice, like advice on personal issues, finance, career, etc.

This is why it ruined my marriage.

My ex-wife received her patriarchal blessing.  One of the things it promised her was that, as she progressed through life, she would acquire many physical belongings, ie, wealth.

When we were married, we always had enough.  We were never behind on the bills and even had money to go on occasional vacations.  We weren't rich but had all our needs met with extra left over.  However, my ex-wife could not get over the fact that her blessing had promised her riches.  She became resentful of me when it didn't happen, as if it was my fault.  She referred to this promise many times and always looked forward to the day when we would be swimming in money.

Naturally, there were other factors to consider as well, but I do think that this is one of the reasons why my marriage is over.  She wanted her blessing fulfilled, and obviously I was holding her back from her destiny of wealth and glamour.

She is now married to her rich prince charming (who is not a member of the church).

The church must be true because her blessing came to pass!  It only took a destroyed family to make it happen, but it was all part of the plan!

I find it interesting that when people receive these blessings, they actively set out to make them happen.  So, would it have happened if it hadn't been predicted?  In my case, I can't say for sure, but I do believe she wouldn't have been so focused on what we didn't have.  Maybe she would have been able to see all that we DID have!

Thank you, LDS church, for destroying my marriage!

How A Snowflake Might Disprove the Theory of Intelligent Design

Please enjoy these highly magnified images of actual snowflakes.

 

 

Beautiful, are they not?  Nearly perfect symmetry.  No two alike.  Truly, these little ice crystals are magnificent!

 

How these little wonders of nature are formed could almost be called miraculous.  They are breathtakingly beautiful.

 

Surely, something this complex must have been designed.  Otherwise, how could they possibly have such detail, symmetry, and organization?

This one is my personal favorite.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snowflake  This link talks about the science of snowflake formation.

Intelligent design (ID) is the argument that the universe, as it exists, is far too complex to have happened naturally; therefore, it must have had a designer. The proponents of intelligent design claim that it is an actual accredited branch of science, which may or may not be true. The fact is, the scientific community largely recognizes Darwin's Theory of Evolution, although there are certainly some scientists who do not.

http://www.intelligentdesign.org/whatisid.php  This is a link to a pro-ID website. 

http://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Intelligent_design  This link appears to discuss ID quite thoroughly, sharing both sides of the argument.

I have provided these links so that I do not have to go into great detail about ID.

Intelligent design focuses primarily on living things.  Since snowflakes are not living, those who support ID would immediately dismiss the arguments I am about to make.  Take it as you will.  This post is not meant to be a full scale rebuttal of ID, but simply to take an angle that perhaps has not yet been addressed.

Consider this quote from the second ID link above:

"Intelligent design cannot be inferred from complexity alone, since complex patterns often happen by chance."

I find this quote very interesting.  Those who argue against evolution often love to state (in ignorance) how evolution is nothing but mere chance.  While chance is a part of it, it is certainly just a part of it.  Chance, it seems, is dismissed by the believers of ID when they are arguing for their cause, but it is their main argument against evolution!  If "complex patterns often happen by chance," isn't that a great argument IN FAVOR of evolution?

Sorry, but you can't have it both ways.  Chance is either part of the whole argument or it isn't.

Look at the intricate design of the snowflakes above.  Those are some pretty complex patterns that have happened by complete chance.  But they don't happen rarely.  They happen trillions of times whenever it snows!  They were not designed.  They just happened.  There is no DNA to guide their creation.  It is completely random.  Yet this randomness leads to something beautiful.  Something organized.  Something complex.  This snowflake did not have a designer and yet there it is in all it's complexity, symmetry, and beauty.

If this random chance happens so frequently in nature, it is not much of a stretch to theorize that this could have also happened in biological systems.  And even if the first living molecule only had a minuscule chance of randomly forming, it only had to happen once.  It is not unreasonable to suggest that, in a 4 billion-year time period, it could have happened, if only just once.

It is clear that complex structures can and do form naturally without the guidance of a designer.  There might be those who argue that each snowflake is orchestrated by some deity.  Well, that designer certainly has a lot of spare time on his hands, not to mention some pretty confusing priorities!

Besides, it goes back to that old argument, if there was a designer, where did it come from?  Did the designer also have a designer?  A living, intelligent being capable of designing the universe must have come from somewhere.  If it designed the universe, where did it live before that?

Intelligent design raises more questions than it answers.  Typically, the believers in ID are also religious (although it is not a requirement) and, in my opinion, it is merely their attempt to reconcile their held superstitions against known scientific fact; in other words, take religion and call it science.  And since it is science, it must have some credibility especially since a few real scientists believe in it!

Complex structures do form randomly in nature with no designer.  This is an undisputed fact.  While this doesn't completely disprove the ID theory, it certainly does not help their cause. 

I Am Not Responsible For Your Hurt Feelings

For those of us who have left the church, we know there are people who do not approve.  They will try to guilt you back by saying things like, "We are so disappointed in you."

I had one family member actually say to me, "You used to be my hero."  The only thing that changed... I no longer attend church.

When my father left the church years ago, it nearly killed his parents.  They expressed so much anguish and sadness over their fallen son.  They urged us, as his children, to do anything we could to set an example so that he would come back.  They were heartbroken.

If our LDS family and friends have hurt feelings over our leaving the church, that is their problem.  It is not your duty to conform to their superstitions so that they can feel better about themselves.  You can love them and be there for them.  But you do not have to conform so that they can feel better.

If they have hurt feelings or a lowered opinion of you, simply because you no longer believe as they do, that's just too darn bad!  Yes, they believe in the church; they believe you have turned your back on truth; they are concerned for your eternal well being; they have good intentions by trying to get you back.

BUT it's your life.  Your choice.  They can respect that.  The LDS gospel is supposed to be all about free agency.  Those who choose not to follow it are simply taking advantage of that right (the right guaranteed by the Constitution, NOT the church).

You do not have to feel bad that they are disappointed in you.  If they are disappointed, it is because they choose to judge your worth against their expectations of you.  LDS life is all about living up to endless demands and expectations.  Well, it's okay for you to make your own decisions.  It's okay to disappoint them.  You only get one life and you can either spend it living up to someone else's expectations, or you can live it on your own terms.

I too have struggled with the fear of what other people think.  But I have slowly come to realize that the only thing that really matters, in terms of my life, is what I think.  What they think doesn't matter.  Let me say that again.

What they think doesn't matter.  It has no bearing upon your life unless you let it.

They can judge and gossip; but they CAN'T blame you for their hurt feelings.

Take charge of your own life and make it a good one!

Believers vs. Atheists - Does It Really Matter?

There is only one of two possibilities.  Either there is a god or there isn't.

If there is no god, then all believers are wrong.  This means that they navigate this life on their own with nothing more than a delusion of divine guidance.  But they make it through just fine anyway, even if they are wrong.

If there is a god, then all atheists are wrong.  However, they somehow make it through life just fine without the faith that god guides their decisions.  But they too make it through life just fine, even if they are wrong.

What do believers and atheists have in common?  We share this planet.  We both lose our car keys.  We both get hungry when we don't eat.  We both have bills and rent (or mortgage) to pay.  We would both do anything to raise our kids safely and happily.  We (for the most part) try to be good citizens.

What do believers and atheist have in difference?  Atheists look for their car keys.  Believers pray, and god lead them to their car keys.  Atheists thank those who provided and prepared their food.  Believers thank god for their food. 

In short, believers put all their faith, trust, hope, confidence, and dreams into the hands of an invisible being whom they have never met.  When life goes their way, this being is blessing them.  When things go bad, this being is testing them.  If they screw up, someone else will cover them.

Atheists put their trust and hope in themselves.  If an atheist fails, it was because they did something wrong and need to correct it.  When life goes their way, great.  When things go bad, shit happens.  When they screw up, they take personal accountability.

We all have the same life experiences.  Whether there is a god or not, we all get through life just fine.  In short, it doesn't matter what you believe as long as YOU are a good person and are tolerant of other people.

Unfortunately, both sides seem to forget this far too often.  I am just as guilty.

Seen on Facebook: "What you believe is not so important as how you act, because your actions reflect your true beliefs."

Name Removal, Update 3 - It Is Official

I am no longer a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

I received official confirmation in the mail yesterday.

Other than the two-month wait and the unexpected visit from the local bishop (both of which I specifically requested in my resignation letter not to happen), the resignation process really wasn't that bad.

I was an official member of the LDS church for just months shy of 30 years.

I feel like partying! Like breaking 50 of the 101 Mormon commandments!

http://www.mormonresignation.com/