Atheoligical Tendency ~Open~

One Living Truth Ministries ^ | Oct 2006 | Ministry news letter

[Graybeard58]

Mormons focus on accessible, social aspects of their religion. Although the Mormon system of doctrine is genuinely attractive to many of its members, many have argued that the primary "glue" of Mormonism is the heritage, culture, and family ties, not the doctrine and theology.

In other words, the typical allegiance to the Mormon organization primarily stems from something other than doctrinal concerns. The average Mormon sitting in a pew does not care how or why their religion works, they only care that it works for them.

They are not concerned with the real character of Joseph Smith or how the LDS scriptures coincide with biblical teachings. A common element often overlooked when Christians share their faith with Latter-day Saints is that many Mormons are not Mormon merely for doctrinal reasons. This view of not being concerned with theology is considered to be atheological. If a person does not care about their theology, they miss the importance of rooting their entire life in the true knowledge of God and a coherent, rational, theological worldview.

A person's relationship with God is built on the foundation of what one believes about God and what it means to be right with God. This is the most important determining factor in shaping the way a person lives.

An atheological person does not seriously reflect on their own foundational worldview assumptions (e.g., what is truth, who is God, does this matter?), nor do they see how doing so would be relevant to everyday life.

South Park, a fictional, satirical cartoon, depicted a Mormon named "Gary" with the following words:

"Look, maybe us Mormons do believe in crazy stories that make absolutely no sense. And maybe Joseph Smith did make it all up. But I have a great life and a great family and I have the Book of Mormon to thank for that. The truth is, I don’t care if Joseph Smith made it all up. Because what the church teaches now is loving your family, being nice and helping people. And even though people in this town might think that’s stupid, I still choose to believe in it."

Grey Echols, a Mormon, writes the following in a review of By His Own Hand Upon Papyrus:

"This is a well written book which manages to not push an 'anti-Mormon' agenda. However as an LDS I do not think others should read it. Why? Because it could destroy your faith in the church. I am not trying to be clever. If you enjoy all of the good things the church has brought into your life, do you care where it came from?

No other church has so short a history that it can be examined so closely by science. Otherwise we would find that they are all created on the backs of con-artist. I am willing to bet every religion was founded by a fraud. So who cares. Does religion bring us together? Does it bond a nation, a town, a family? If so then let it be.

The truth is fleeting, and life is short. If believing in Santa makes children smile then believing in God makes adults smile. When children find out Santa isn't real, you kill a certain spark you can never get back. When you expose a church as a fraud, you kill a little spark in all of us."

[Graybeard58]

I did some editing on this by inserting paragraph breaks to try to make it more readable. I don't believe it changed anything but to see the original just click the link.

[Graybeard58]

Might be of interest to you.

[proud2b4family]

Hmm. Interesting, but as a practicing and faithful adherent to the religion nicknamed “Mormon” (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints), I have to disagree. I have met FAR more members who fully accept the Church despite a few perceived blemishes on its history, not because they are brainwashed, gullible, or just looking for comfort in a friendly society. They accept it because they have faith that God will reveal or has already revealed the reasons for things that appear suspicious or outright crazy to those outside of the Church.

Please don’t forget that your same arguments, and many like them, were used against Christians in the early Church. Was not Jesus accused of being a wine bibber, of improperly associating with harlots, and of casting out devils by Beelzebub by the Pharisees of His day? Was he not crucified for making the “outlandish” claim to be the King of the Jews, the very Messiah?

Early Christianity only looks acceptable and logical to us latecomers because we aren’t being burned out of our homes or impaled on stakes and lit on fire as decorations for the Roman Emporer’s banquet.

[MrEdd]

No other church has so short a history that it can be examined so closely by science. Otherwise we would find that they are all created on the backs of con-artist. I am willing to bet every religion was founded by a fraud. So who cares. Does religion bring us together? Does it bond a nation, a town, a family? If so then let it be.

*cough* Jehovah's *cough* Witnesses *cough*
*cough* Scientology *cough*

[Kevmo]

I am willing to bet every religion was founded by a fraud.
***I’m not.

1 Corinthians 15:14

---

International Standard Version (©2008)
and if the Messiah has not been raised, then our message means nothing and your faith means nothing.
New American Standard Bible (©1995)
and if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is vain, your faith also is vain.

GOD’S WORD® Translation (©1995)
If Christ hasn’t come back to life, our message has no meaning and your faith also has no meaning.

King James Bible
And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain.

American King James Version
And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain.

American Standard Version
and if Christ hath not been raised, then is our preaching vain, your faith also is vain.

Bible in Basic English
And if Christ did not come again from the dead, then our good news and your faith in it are of no effect.

Douay-Rheims Bible
And if Christ be not risen again, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain.

Darby Bible Translation
but if Christ is not raised, then, indeed, vain also is our preaching, and vain also your faith.

English Revised Version
and if Christ hath not been raised, then is our preaching vain, your faith also is vain.

Webster’s Bible Translation
And if Christ is not raised, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain.

Weymouth New Testament
And if Christ has not risen, it follows that what we preach is a delusion, and that your faith also is a delusion.

World English Bible
If Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain, and your faith also is in vain.

Young’s Literal Translation
and if Christ hath not risen, then void is our preaching, and void also your faith,

1 Thessalonians 4:14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus. (NASB ©1995)
Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain.

[count-your-change]

Echols sounds like Tony Soprano's wife in the last throes of abject moral surrender. ‘Sure what I believe is based on fraud but so is everyone beliefs. Who cares?’

[fproy2222]

ctr

[Choose Ye This Day]

The average Mormon sitting in a pew does not care how or why their religion works

Somehow I doubt the author knows or has spoken to very many "average Mormons".

[fproy2222]

South Park, a fictional, satirical cartoon, depicted a Mormon named “Gary”

+++

would this be his “average Mormon”?

[maryz]

many have argued that the primary "glue" of Mormonism is the heritage, culture, and family ties

Ah, the ever-popular Katy Couric "many"! Always a crowd-pleaser! ;-)

Is "atheoligical" a word? I thought it might be a typo on your part, but, no, that's what the source has . . .

[SkyPilot]

In my church yesterday, I sat next to Koreans, Chinese, Venezuelans, Peruvians, African-Americans, and whites of European descent.

The "glue" that unites that diverse crowd is the Body of Christ, and the faith set in knowing He died for our sins.

When one truly and honestly explores the LDS faith, it is not only found wanting, it is almost laughable.

Golden Plates, "Reformed" Egyptian, Planet Kolob, Spirit Wives, Magic Peepstones, and Becoming Your Own god are just the tip of tragedy.

The author is incorrect that all religions are based on fraud. He is correct in his assessment that Mormons have a lot to lose if their religion is based on a huckster who literally created the 3-dollar bill and slept with in excess of 30 women (several of those women being wives to other men of his own flock).

It would take courage to break away from family, friends, and business associates who are your fellow LDS.

Those who have done so have incredible stories to tell.

But, many of those who have exhibited the courage and wisdom to do just that have done it for Christ.

In fact, everyone who has left his homes, brothers, sisters, father, mother, children, or fields because of my name will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life.

Matthew 19:29

[Graybeard58]

Atheological

A`the*o*log”ic*al\, a. Opposed to theology; atheistic.

[Spiff]

Quoting South Park always makes an argument more credible, of course... /sarc

They are not concerned with the real character of Joseph Smith or how the LDS scriptures coincide with biblical teachings.

I love Joseph Smith. He was truly a Prophet of God, chosen to restore to the earth the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He saw God the Father and His son, Jesus Christ. His testimony was sealed with his blood at the hands of assassins. I can only hope that my own character measures up in any way to his.

The Old Testament and the New Testament (KJV) are the foremost LDS scriptures. Other LDS scriptures support the teachings of the Bible. I believe the Holy Bible to be true as well as The Book of Mormon and other LDS scriptures to be true and the word of God.

[Quix]

This rings true of most LDS in my experiences in LDS country.

Many Bishops don’t even know many things about historic LDS facts.

[Not just another dumb blonde]

If you believe the Holy Bible is true (not just JS version of the Bible), how can you believe the Book of Mormon is true? I borrowed a Book of Mormon from a friend and found alot of contradictions in it versus the Bible. THE Bible warns about adding to or taking away from The Bible. How do you reconcile that? That we are gods? There is only one true God. I’ll stop now before someone starts calling me names again.

[Graybeard58]

I’ll stop now before someone starts calling me names again.

Consider it an honor. "Bigot", "hater", I've heard it all. It happens when you tell the truth.

[maryz]

Your title has "atheoLIgical" -- which is what I asked about! ;=)

[Graybeard58]

I copied and pasted the title and didn’t even notice the misprint and also missed your point in your reply. When I went to the definition, I did not copy and paste but spelled it correctly all on my own. I attribute it to old, tired eyes, not enough caffine yet, etc.

My apologies for incorrectly thinking that you didn’t know what Atheological meant.

[greyfoxx39]

“Hose” of a different color ping ;)

[MHGinTN]

“If a person does not care about their theology, they miss the importance of rooting their entire life in the true knowledge of God and a coherent, rational, theological worldview.” Um, there is a fundamental difference in 1) working your way to worthiness for Heaven and 2) God’s Grace in Christ Jesus imputed to you because of your faithing in His worthiness and God imputing that worthiness to you. Your post affirms the very thing the article is addressing ... your willingness to remain blind to the heresies of Mormonism is what keeps that religion alive in ignorance. Mormonism is not Christianity, but your religion has you blindly believing it is because you are not taught what real Grace is so you can be manipulated with ‘after all that you can do’. Satan doesn’t much care how you behave so long as you do not opt for God’s Grace in Christ Jesus as THE means of Salvation. How you behave and the esteem you vest in family, law, the nation is of little concern to Satan so long as you are not looking at Jesus for deliverance, even if you’re imagining Him to be your elder brother. Any means to denigrate Him from God into a mere better than you member of the family is all Satan seeks for he knows what that does to your eternal destiny as insult to God’s plan.