Posted on 07/06/2004 7:42:15 AM PDT by jtminton
Especially since the mainstream LDS Church has officially declared that it and its members shouldn't be called "Mormon", I think it's perfectly legitimate to refer to these fundamentalist groups as "fundamentalist Mormons". All groups that regard the Book of Mormon as divinely inspired scripture are some sort of "Mormon" to the rest of the world. And from an objective standpoint, all have equal claim to the name. Just as LDS Church members have every right to insist on being classified as "Christians", even though some other groups which insist on being classified as "Christians" vigorously claim they are not.
It hardly makes sense to just call them "fundamentalists", as there are all sorts of fundamentalists, including Christian fundamentalists who view the Book of Mormon) as Satanic, Muslim fundamentalists, etc. Of course, my gut instincts tell me to call all of them "wacko religious extremists", but that would pretty well neutralize my effort to remain objective :-)
Where've you been hiding? Haven't "seen" you in ages!
Nothing about decency and morality upsets me. That's why I'm not a JW anymore.
I did not in any way say your friend is evil because my friend got molested. And actually, I should amend myself, your friend isn't evil, nor good. He/She is just a drone in a religious organization, which in itself is evil.
But your friend is commanded to shun both me and my friend, even though we've done nothing Biblically wrong to be shunned for. If you think your friend's religion is so moral and decent, just ask the survivors of the religion.
I have made no comment regarding the morality of my friends religion. None.
As you have chosen to share with us, you have had bad experiences in your church; and been exposed to evil.
Your anxious disposition to insult strangers, and your intolerance of any compliments paid them; clearly illustrate that, at some time in the past, you have struggled with evil.......and were absorbed by it.
It is low, and loathsome, to pass judgement on those you have never met, and know nothing about. It is contemptable to advocate others to join in your hatred.
We are blessed with the ability to recognize evil. We are tasked with combatting it, and loving each other. Your empassioned arguments disapproving others' worship, and the bold hatred you spew for strangers; is easily recognizable.
You have met evil, and became it.
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