How Can Glenn Beck Be Right on So Much and Yet Still Believe the book of Mormon? (serious question)

[Scythian]

I'm a huge Beck fan, in fact I'm listening right now here

http://www.ksfa860.com/common/gap_streamer.php

but something really confuses me. It takes the ability to use real critical thinking to know what Beck (and most of us know about the state of the country and where we are heading). That is, we have the ability to discover the truth no matter how much the media or conventional wisdom try to hide it. Yet on Mormonism, Beck is cleary wrong. Any Christian knows that the book or momonism is severely flawed and that Joseph Smith was no prophet. How can Beck cut through all the chaff of what is going on in our world and come to the truth and yet believe the writings of Joseph Smith? It doesn't make sense? I'm not saying he's up to something secret, not by any means, it's just that he's so right about so many things and completely wrong on the most important thing. Now, he just said on the air that he believes Jesus is the Savior of the world and that he is Mormon.

I also think that because he is Mormon he is not attacked near as much if he was a Evangelical Bible only believer. Anyway, am I nutz or does Beck being a Mormon seem bizarre?

[Tenacious 1]

#259 - Great Post. My sentiments exactly.

[cripplecreek]

Seems to me that there are a lot of cowards who assume they can drive a wedge between Beck and his listeners by trying to make his religion an issue.

I say “cowards” because none of them are man enough to come right out and say what the real issue is here.

[Colofornian]

Name one thing you have done to promote conservative ideals in the past week. Take all the time you need. We look forward to your reply.

So, in addition to you commending temple Mormons' audition for godhood, you want me to audition for your "Conservative Ideals' Champion of the Week?" (What's the prize?)

So you not only applaud Mormons boasting before their god what qualifies them for godhood, but you want me to boast before you what a great servant-leader I've been in my household? (But wouldn't "great" and "servant" as self-descriptors kind of militate against one another?)

Or perhaps "pro-family" activity might not qualify for whatever your brand is of "conservative ideals." (So you'll have to clue me in on how I customize my resume' for this "prize").

(BTW, have you sent a note to those 60,000 Lds missionaries out & about the world asking them what "conservative ideals" they've been spreading during their 70-hour work weeks other than telling thousands of people that Catholics, Protestants, and Orthodox are "apostates?" No? And here we thought you were so "anti-basher")

[gdani]

How could Glenn who has researched so much of our countries past also then believe this?.... Did someone answer this for me yet?

Yes. Numerous people, numerous times, when they said take *any* religion or faith & you'll undoubtedly find the weird, wacky & wonderful.

That you don't see it in your own faith means you're able to practice the same cognitive dissonance you attribute to Beck.

[Scythian]

You didn’t watch the video, I am talking about a difference here, Mormonism is proven to be untrue. Whatever, I give up. Later ...

[cripplecreek]

I don’t think you’re trying to tear Beck down. I simply don’t care what his religion is. A lot of good people believe in UFOs or reincarnation as well as a lot of other things I find bizarre.

It just doesn’t matter.

[gdani]

Whatever, I give up

Now we're getting somewhere...

[Scythian]

You managed to avoid the entire question, congratulations. And the giving up part, you totally missed the point of that too I see ;) LOL

[TChris]

Let's stop the arguing. Here's the jist if my post which almost everybody missed. How could Glenn who has researched so much of our countries past also then believe this? I doubt that anyone bothered to watch the whole thing, but this is why I asked the question. It seems a sensible question, and I like Beck. If some view this as tearing Beck down then they must be in agreement that no reasonable person could watch that video which is based on fact and evidence could believe it? Did someone answer this for me yet?

I'm confused by your question, or more specifically, your decision to post it HERE.

Why do you think anyone on Free Republic could answer for Glenn Beck?

If you DIDN'T intend for this thread to become a debate about the Book of Mormon, or Mormon doctrines, why did you post it?

If you truly want to know what Mr. Beck believes, and why, perhaps you should try to contact HIM.

If you DON'T want to know the answer from Mr. Beck, then why are you surprised by the arguing?

[Colofornian]

I haven't heard Glenn drone on about his faith or push it.

He's promoted Cleon Skousen on the air and in writing. (See what Skousen believes in #277).

Most here have defended Beck's right to follow or associate himself with whatever religion he likes and have further opined on the opinion that it makes no difference and does not apparently affect his work.

No. Some have defended Beck's freedom of religious association. Most have focused on his beliefs and belief system. There's a difference. I would defend the former. As you've seen, I've taken issue with those who defend his beliefs or those who somehow think Beck compartmentalizes his faith & checks it at the door every time he writes or goes before a microphone.

You on the other hand are out to demonize him, the Mormon faith and anyone else who does not join you. Help me out here, what was it that Jesus said of the hypocrites?

So I disagree with Beck's faith beliefs, and you disagree with my faith beliefs. Help me out here. Why do you then accuse me of "demonizing" when I differ with Beck -- but I suppose your name-calling and accusations of me doesn't amount to the same "demonizing"??? (Yes? No?) If merely critiquing someone is "demonizing," then haven't you critiqued me? Isn't that demonizing as well? -- and doesn't the same hypocritical Q apply to yourself?

[Tenacious 1]

I have followed this thread and have to ditto your comment above.

There are a couple of very passionate personalities here that are pushing for everyone else to “hate” (my interpretation) the Mormon faith. Colofornian seems to be a person of his own faith. While we don't know what it is, it must suggest that all Mormons are going to hell and his faith compels him to make sure everyone he happens upon also believes as he does.

It just feels so disingenuinous, superficial, hypocritical and dirty.

[gdani]

You managed to avoid the entire question, congratulations.

No, I answered it in #284. You just don't like the answer.

[Colofornian]

Re: your latest post...is this your normal online etiquette?
Do you constantly talk about other posters in public without pinging them?
Is this also what you do at home?
When you think someone's left the room, you gossip behind their back?
You judge them and accuse them -- but not to their face?

[cripplecreek]

Who was I talking about?

[Safrguns]

>>> Believe what you will and who you will. I do recommend, however, careful and prayerful study, analysis and searching when it comes to the Book of Mormon. If you sincerely ask, it will probably surprise you how God will answer.

Why do you presume that I havn’t carefully read and analyzed it?
If I am to be surprised by what some inner voice or feeling has to say in response to my prayer for truth, what is the source of that “surprise”? Would it be contradiction with what truth I have received in the past? or would it be revelation of a NEW truth that does not contradict other things that makes it “surprising”?

If the “surprise” has ANYTHING to do with contradiction, is it not reasonable to first question the source of the information?

In this case, where you direct me to prayer, is it proper to assume that any inner voice or feeling is automatically going to come from God Himself?

If it is proper to assume that Only God can speak to our inner being, then what use do we have of the written Word? Could it really be trusted at all? Does it really matter what anything written down actually says if we can interpret it to mean whatever God tells us it means through prayer and meditation? Is not preference and priority then given to our own hearts through prayer OVER the written word of God when it comes to matters of truth?

Conversely, if it is then IMPROPER to assume that only God can speak to our inner being, then at what point do we question “Who we have heard from”?

How do I verify that what I “heard from God in prayer” actually did come from God?
If the purpose of prayer is to discern truth, then how do I know when the answers I get are coming from my own fleshly desires, or from demonic spiritual influence, or actually from God Himself?

[Colofornian]

There are a couple of very passionate personalities here that are pushing for everyone else to “hate” (my interpretation) the Mormon faith.

I guess I don't understand your two-faced approach here, T. Lds can raise their own $ to spend 70-hour weeks for 2 years where they tell thousands of people that all other religious sects are "apostates." They can be radically passionate about that, but passion can only mix with a bike & backpack & white shirt & tie?

(Marion Romney, cousin of George Romney, was in charge of Lds missionaries in the early '60s...he ensured from that point on that one of the top 4 points of discussions at the doors of those they visited was the "universal apostasy").

So, in your eyes, that's apparently not "hate." But if someone merely objects to this label being placed on us -- if we merely tell Mormons, that "No, I don't appreciate being labeled an apostate. I don't appreciate being told 100% of my creeds are an 'abomination to God.' And, no, I don't appreciate my fellow professing believers -- ALL of them -- being called 'corrupt'" -- that in your eyes in "hateful?"

Tell us Tenacious. Why would you have such a different standard toward one lone poster on a FR thread than you would have toward the literal 1 million+ Lds missionaries that have gone out since its genesis? They go worldwide. I post on FR. They are 60,000 strong -- vs. me. (Yet I'm the "threat" you harp on?)

...must suggest that all Mormons are going to hell and his faith compels him to make sure everyone he happens upon also believes as he does.

Our Lord is already at work ensuring all Mormons HAVEN'T and WON'T go to hell--so don't put words in my mouth. So Lds sending out 60,000 missionaries isn't an attempt to "compel them to make sure everyone they happen upon also believe as they do"??? (What? Yet another double standard of yours?)

Tell us, T: Are Lds missionaries, according to your inside magic-8 ball, also "disingenuinous, superficial, hypocritical and dirty" -- or haven't you ramped up your judgment factory to handle 60,000 personalities at a time?

[Colofornian]

Who was I talking about?

My comment was to Tenacious. (I copied you only 'cause his original gossip was to you)

[Tenacious 1]

We see two-faced posts here all the time in FReeperland. (I just rarely see them in back-to-back sentences)

Do you recall this post? You addressed me.

I know very little of the Mormon faith. The original vanity post that started this thread suggested Glenn Beck must be crazy because he is Mormon. He insulted the religion and all Mormons. I stand by my initial assertion, "Who are you/we (any of us) to judge?" The poster even put the "I'm serious" note because he/she knew how the thread would go.

You have demonized the Morman religion throughout this thread. You have been rude to and talked down to folks several times. Your tone is aggressive and spirited. Your didain is apparent.

I don't know whether you are right or wrong, but your demeanor is certainly a turn off and your rhetoric certainly does not invite me to investigate your claims.

My apologies for not pinging you on my poste to CrippleCreek. I should have been more considerate.

[Tenacious 1]

I will state my opinion on the behavior of people as I see fit regardless of age, sex, color, creed, religion etc. My comments are about your behavior and passion with regards to other peoples opinions and faith.

Beyond stating, “I am Christian (Catholic)” I have not pressed for or against a certain secular religious affiliation. I will not pass judgment on another’s faith in God or the religion they associate themselves with.

I will say it again. You truly desire for all here to agree with you and your opinion of LDS. I will pass judgment on your approach and behavior, not on your faith or your beliefs. I disagree with your approach and behavior on this thread. It is certainly not inviting.

Do you hate The Church of Latter Day Saints?

[Canedawg]

I also find him to be about 1/2 step away from crazy.
*****************************************************

That makes him even more dangerous to the other side.

Think back to the reckless abandon of the 60s radicals. They hated “The Establishment”, they went toe to toe with the police in Chicago, they infiltrated our insitutions and today they are in power.

You want to take it back from them?

Don’y just get mad, get even!

Some of the leaders of the Conservative counter-revolution need to be right out there on the edge.

People talk about keeping their powder dry, and what do you think it will take to start firing? A motivation, driven by the passion to defend our America, the America that patriots want back.

Yes, time to start showing some “craziness” like Beck, the more the merrier. We need more fearless dissenters/operatives to do what it is going to take to win back America.

Dig deep and summon up the same venom towards them that they had for us. It is going to take some of that to put the Second Amendment into play. It is going to take courage to oppose the assholes in this administration (and congress), because they arent listening to us. In fact, they are ****ing us over right now!!!!!!!!!