1078: Magic Underwear

[marina]

Originally Posted by callmehoss

Let's say its not 150 years ago and someone comes out today with a claim that they found some golden plates in a hill that are a basically a lost book of the Bible. When asked for proof the person replies, "Well, only I am allowed to see the tablets. Why? Just cuz." How quick do you go, "OK, say high to David Koresh for me, nutjob."? I've really got nothing against Mormons and am not trying to shit on them at all, but that part of the LDS story always bothered me.

There are people who will believe in living prophets. My mother's "guru" was on a John Safran vs God, and I think he (the Guru, not John) ended up looking pretty silly, but some people will do anything to feel like they belong, or that they are going to be okay. As long as there's a sucker, there's an ass-hole out there to sell them something.

And unlike the Mormons, my mom's Guru takes much more than 10%. Maybe if his cult lasts, and he becomes more established, in 150 years they'll be able to afford a mere 10%.

Originally Posted by amikaligula

The only real thing that bothers me about Mormons is that their church has some very real political power and it is growing. So while I may like an individual with ties to the church of LDS, once I am aware of those ties I am at the least wary and may go as far as to regard them as an enemy soldier (ideologically, not literally).

This. It gets really hard for me to separate people from their church affiliation when the church seems so heavily about political action that I feel violates people's human rights.

I've said it before, but even when they tell me that they don't believe in that shit, I get upset because they still support that organization, both monetarily and with attendance. It's like paying member dues at a country club that doesn't allow Jews and saying "It's not me that hates the kikes, it's the club, you know how it is."

[264]

Originally Posted by callmehoss

Let's say its not 150 years ago and someone comes out today with a claim that they found some golden plates in a hill that are a basically a lost book of the Bible. When asked for proof the person replies, "Well, only I am allowed to see the tablets. Why? Just cuz." How quick do you go, "OK, say high to David Koresh for me, nutjob."? I've really got nothing against Mormons and am not trying to shit on them at all, but that part of the LDS story always bothered me.

Scientology.

[Blitzgal]

Originally Posted by marina

This. It gets really hard for me to separate people from their church affiliation when the church seems so heavily about political action that I feel violates people's human rights.

This is exactly why I can't stand these fuckers. They are a sexist, racist and bigoted organization that uses their political clout to change our laws to align with their belief system. And when you start paying attention to the backgrounds of our politicians, it is amazing how many of them are LDS. The guy who orchestrated the US attorney firings under Bush? A Mormon. The organization that heaped a shitload of money into the passage of Prop 8 in California? The Mormons. With them and the C Street gang, we have some serious religious fundies with far too much political power, and they are making real changes in this country. The Stupak amendment in the current health care bill is courtesy of C Street, for example.

And polygamy still goes on. Yes, the church has officially "disavowed" but it is an open secret and law enforcement can't really do shit about it. Remember all the hoopla when they took those children in Texas? They had to give them all back, even though the majority of the teenaged girls had children, which means that they were being raped (being underage and unable to give consent).

[stryfe]

poll shows that 1/3 of katg forum members are douches!

[punk'n]

Originally Posted by stryfe

poll shows that 1/3 of katg forum members are douches!

I just think the poll was a little skewed to not have a middle ground. Yes, I would still go see him live, being a Mormon doesn't affect that for me. But to say initially that being a Mormon didn't affect me in the least is not true either. In the very least, it makes me curious about why he chooses to believe in that faith, mostly because of what some of the other people are saying about the Mormons and their political clout.

[Junkenstein]

Originally Posted by stryfe

poll shows that 1/3 of katg forum members are douches!

Welcome to the forums, buddy.

[Blitzgal]

Originally Posted by punk'n

In the very least, it makes me curious about why he chooses to believe in that faith, mostly because of what some of the other people are saying about the Mormons and their political clout.

Just like with Christians, the truly loony ones are in a very small minority. Your basic Christian next door wouldn't have anything to do with, say, a Halloween book burning where all "non-legitimate" versions of the Bible are destroyed as "Satan's Bibles." An average Christian would probably be shocked by the behavior of Fred Phelps and his menagerie, who not only protest the funerals of people like Matthew Shepherd but also those of servicemen killed in Iraq.

Unfortunately there's enough of the fundie assholes in real positions of power that they actually start affecting the lives of everyone, whether they're part of that religion or not.

[marina]

Yeah, I'm douche, but not because I have a reaction to someone saying they're a member of one of the most misogynistic, anti-gay organizations in America today.

As a non-religious person, it's hard for me to separate individuals from their religions. Especially when the religious establishment can put a lot of money and effort into making laws that affect how I choose to live my life, but when I criticize them for doing this, I'm the bigot.

[Junkenstein]

I am more creeped out by the fact that the dude is a virgin.

[punk'n]

Originally Posted by Junkenstein

I am more creeped out by the fact that the dude is a virgin.

You can tell by his face. That smile is just too wholesome.