The Mormons are coming...

[CZroe]

Interesting. I have to say you're the first Morman I've ever heard of who wasn't born into it, and I know more than a few. Just curious, what made you convert, and why LDS?

My cousin became a Mormon on her own volition so I'm not sure how uncommon it is.

 

[Rage187]

My only regret is not joining in my early 20s. You get to go to a church with just other singles after you turn 18 I think. That would have hooked me when I was younger and got tired of the usual girls.

 

[Lanyap]

Start talking politics and ask them if they are voting for Romney.

 

[ch33zw1z]

You should write a book on how to be a badass.

 

[zinfamous]

Interesting. I have to say you're the first Morman I've ever heard of who wasn't born into it, and I know more than a few. Just curious, what made you convert, and why LDS?

It is, I believe, the fastest-growing religion in the world.

So, there's shit-tons that weren't born into it.

 

[zinfamous]

Wait, someone mentioned magic underpants earlier.

I need specifics, a religion with your own magic underpants might change my way of thinking about the universe.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Temple_garment

But you gotta be "endowed," bro.

 

[ch33zw1z]

I'm LDS (Mormon) and I chose to serve as a missionary. I feel that I'm a pretty relaxed individual and am able to laugh at other's outward perception of my faith, but I find some of the content of this thread patently offensive.

I find religion offensive. Not belief, religion.

 

[WelshBloke]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Temple_garment

But you gotta be "endowed," bro.

No probs being suitably "endowed".

I'm digging the open crotch, peephole nipple thing its got going.

Do they do LDS nipple clamps/buttplugs?

 

[child of wonder]

No probs being suitably "endowed".

I'm digging the open crotch, peephole nipple thing its got going.

Do they do LDS nipple clamps/buttplugs?

Their magical underwear protects them from danger.

Want proof that it works? Have you ever beaten up a Mormon? I thought not.

 

[HumblePie]

The only natural state anyone is born into is atheism. Everything else is learned and then chosen.

But that said, some of my best friends growing up were Mormons. They were not the missionary type at all. I was living in Hawaii and my next door neighbors were Mormon. The only thing they ever asked me to do was join the Boyscouts with them and I was glad I did. They only mentioned once that they were Mormons and never once told me anything about their religion. It wasn't until years later that I knew it was any different than any other Christian believing religion.

Funny thing was, I was pretty much an atheist at the time, but never once did they ask me what my religion was. Which I also found out later was something that was required by the Boyscouts. Instead they focused on letting us have fun and an educational time. We learned outdoors stuff. From making fires, to tying knots, to shooting everything. Bows, guns, blowguns, and whatever. We went on TONS of camping trips. Living in Hawaii at the time we took the free trips that you can do through the Navy called Tiger Cruises. Which means if a navy ship is leaving port for somewhere and they have the room to take you, then you can ride for free if you are military or related. So I went to all the islands, rode the air craft carrier Nimitz, and had a grand time during the 3 years they were running the scout troop I was in. Literally every weekend we had something lined up to do.

Then things had to come to an end. The neighbors got stationed elsewhere and someone else took over the troop. Not sure who, but it seriously changed. All we had were "meetings" and most of those seemed like bible study crap. I was getting fed up with just going to someone's house to have them talk for 10 minutes about doing scout things, 30 minutes about God, and then actually never doing anything. I quit after a 2 months of that crap.

As others have said, I could care less what someone believes really. Unless their belief is going to be in direct conflict with my life or they are trying to force that belief on me. At which point if that is true, then I'm going to have a problem with that person.

I do find one thing funny though where I live. In San Antonio, if you drive in the NW side along IH10 you'll see 2 big billboards on either side of the highway in one area. One is all white with big black letters that state. THINK GOD! And the other one on the other side came up later with 3 panels of random people smiling that state Think Mormons. I don't think the two billboards are done by the same group either.

 

[slayer202]

I don't understand how anyone not born into and brainwashed to believe it would join a religion so clearly man-made and ridiculous. It's a sad reflection on our race, culture, and our capacity to think

 

[SlitheryDee]

I don't like people who come to my doorstep selling a product. It could be the most wonderful thing anyone has ever peddled, I still don't want anyone to come to where I am and try to convince me to buy it.

Guess what? If what you have to offer is so great, one day you'll get a call from me when I'm ready to acquire some. Until then, stay off my doorstep.

 

[WelshBloke]

I don't understand how anyone not born into and brainwashed to believe it would join a religion so clearly man-made and ridiculous. It's a sad reflection on our race, culture, and our capacity to think

Thats all of them isn't it? If your not used to them they all look pretty daft from the outside.

 

[lxskllr]

Thats all of them isn't it? If your not used to them they all look pretty daft from the outside.

I understand following the more established religions out of tradition. When your family's been doing the same thing for 1,000 years, it's easy to just keep going with it. It makes much less sense when there's been little tradition.

 

[WelshBloke]

I understand following the more established religions out of tradition. When your family's been doing the same thing for 1,000 years, it's easy to just keep going with it. It makes much less sense when there's been little tradition.

Is there a cut off for things that are too old as well 'cos we look at a lot of old religions as silly just as much as new ones.

 

[SlitheryDee]

Is there a cut off for things that are too old as well 'cos we look at a lot of old religions as silly just as much as new ones.

When a religion has had a thousand years or so to let the uglier details of its origins be obscured on the mists of time, it becomes a lot easier to believe in. Its also easier to change with the times, since no one is really certain what happened anyway.

 

[lxskllr]

Is there a cut off for things that are too old as well 'cos we look at a lot of old religions as silly just as much as new ones.

It's already happening. The majority of people in the west don't really take religion seriously. They just do it cause they've always done it. They might go to church every so often, especially on holidays, but if they were honest with themselves they'd recognize they don't really believe in it. The tradition gets weaker with every generation, and it will eventually fizzle out.

In some ways it's a shame. I like tradition, and it gives people a way to take part in a common cause. I'd prefer it makes some kind of logical sense though. They should bring back the pagan traditions. Recognizing the planet, and the change of seasons is universal, and it makes a good excuse for a party :^)

 

[BoomerD]

It's already happening. The majority of people in the west don't really take religion seriously. They just do it cause they've always done it. They might go to church every so often, especially on holidays, but if they were honest with themselves they'd recognize they don't really believe in it. The tradition gets weaker with every generation, and it will eventually fizzle out.

In some ways it's a shame. I like tradition, and it gives people a way to take part in a common cause. I'd prefer it makes some kind of logical sense though. They should bring back the pagan traditions. Recognizing the planet, and the change of seasons is universal, and it makes a good excuse for a party :^)

Unfortunately, many people merely pay lip service to their religion. On Sunday, or whatever their "holiest of days" might be, they're in the pew...or proselytized on the ground, praying to their "God," (or multiple times per day if that's their calling) but they still do the things their religion says they shouldn't do...Catholics seem to be among the worst for this...sin all week...pray for forgiveness on Sunday...all's good with the world.

I've only known a very few people who actually tried to live their lives in accordance with their religious beliefs...not surprisingly, MOST of them were Mormons.
I'm a "devout Mormon hater," yet some of the best people I've ever known were very religious Mormons who actually lived their faith. (so I didn't hold their religious beliefs against them...we'd "politely discuss the differences in our religious beliefs...but it stayed polite. We agreed to disagree and never let it interfere with our relationship.)

 

[lxskllr]

Unfortunately, many people merely pay lip service to their religion. On Sunday, or whatever their "holiest of days" might be, they're in the pew...or proselytized on the ground, praying to their "God," (or multiple times per day if that's their calling) but they still do the things their religion says they shouldn't do...Catholics seem to be among the worst for this...sin all week...pray for forgiveness on Sunday...all's good with the world.

I've only known a very few people who actually tried to live their lives in accordance with their religious beliefs...not surprisingly, MOST of them were Mormons.
I'm a "devout Mormon hater," yet some of the best people I've ever known were very religious Mormons who actually lived their faith. (so I didn't hold their religious beliefs against them...we'd "politely discuss the differences in our religious beliefs...but it stayed polite. We agreed to disagree and never let it interfere with our relationship.)

I can definitely respect people that live the word. Right or wrong, you can give them credit for understanding what they've read, and attempting to be the best person they can be based on those beliefs. Ignorant hypocrites OTOH are infuriating :^S

 

[WelshBloke]

Unfortunately, many people merely pay lip service to their religion. On Sunday, or whatever their "holiest of days" might be, they're in the pew...or proselytized on the ground, praying to their "God," (or multiple times per day if that's their calling) but they still do the things their religion says they shouldn't do...Catholics seem to be among the worst for this...sin all week...pray for forgiveness on Sunday...all's good with the world.

I've only known a very few people who actually tried to live their lives in accordance with their religious beliefs...not surprisingly, MOST of them were Mormons.
I'm a "devout Mormon hater," yet some of the best people I've ever known were very religious Mormons who actually lived their faith. (so I didn't hold their religious beliefs against them...we'd "politely discuss the differences in our religious beliefs...but it stayed polite. We agreed to disagree and never let it interfere with our relationship.)

I'm quite glad most people just pay lip service to their religions, its the ones that don't that end up flying planes into buildings or strapping on explosive vests.

 

[KaOTiK]

I misread the thread title as The Morons are coming lol

 

[SandEagle]

had one stop by a few days ago. doesn't bother me. they're human only only doing their part to spread the faith. most religions are welcoming like thst.

 

[polarmystery]

The power of Joseph Smith compels you!!!

I misread the thread title as The Morons are coming lol

Same thing

 

[SlitheryDee]

All the mormons I know have 5-6 kids in their families. Yeah, Mormons come a lot it seems.

 

[zinfamous]

I don't understand how anyone not born into and brainwashed to believe it would join a religion so clearly man-made and ridiculous. It's a sad reflection on our race, culture, and our capacity to think

It is a very human condition to want to believe in something. People can substitute that for all sorts of things, at varying degrees, whether or not it is faith-driven, or in any way related to a specific "being."

I get it, I truly do--and it's hard for me to begrudge the next random individual for wanting that in their lives.

What bugs me is religion in general, and the confusion that some have that their belief = the truth; which is the real problem with religion. Faith and belief never used to be about truth; it was only ever about understanding.

When what became the Catholic church began endorsing its brand of Christianity, then later the Protestants their brand, as well as Islam and such, as a definition of truth, is when religion jumped the shark.

Individual people of faith, I have no problem with. When they want to start shoving what they believe to be truth down my throat, and start confusing their "not getting their way all the time," with "religious discrimination," then they can go fuck themselves.