Posted on 09/29/2010 3:05:05 PM PDT by zippythepinhead
Atheists and agnostics know more about major world religions than many people of faith, while Mormons can answer more Bible questions than their Catholic and mainline Protestant counterparts.
Those are among the somewhat startling conclusions about religious literacy in America the Pew Research Centers Forum on Religion and Public Life drew after surveying 3,412 Americans.
Some of the multiple-choice questions were relatively simple: Where was Jesus born and who led the exodus from Egypt? What religion was Mother Teresa, what day does the Jewish Sabbath begin and what is the name of Islams holy book?
Others were more obscure: What is Indonesias dominant religion? Which Christians teach that salvation comes through faith alone?
About half the Protestants (53 percent) couldnt correctly identify Martin Luther as the person whose writings and actions inspired the Protestant Reformation. Fewer than half of Americans (47 percent) knew the Dalai Lama is Buddhist and only 38 percent correctly associated Vishnu and Shiva with Hinduism.
John Morehead, director of the Western Institute for Intercultural Studies in Salt Lake City, had already noted religious illiteracy in the general population as well as in the evangelical community. But he did not expect Mormons to top them in their biblical fluency.
Mormons tend to emphasize Mormon scriptures like the Book of Mormon rather than the Bible in their devotional life, Morehead said in an e-mail.
Even some LDS scholars were surprised to find Mormons at the top.
(Excerpt) Read more at sltrib.com ...
LOL...so typical!
Normandy,
“I dont think any Latter-day Saint is able to prove
the truthfulness of our claims in the way you are
asking for.”
... You are correct.
No mormonite can possibly provide any rationale basis for
a single mormon claim. Not one. Nor any evidence for a
single claim. None. Nor any facts that support a single
mormon claim. None.
Mormonism is an irrational belief, supported only by
feelings. Even those “feelings” cannot be verified.
You, for instance, couldn’t provide an explanation of
how you could know that your feelings were not from
a demon or familiar spirit. For all you know, the
demon lies and tells you he is God. But, alas, there
is no way for you to know...
... except that you have feelings! And that is the bottom
line of mormonism.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
“The conclusive proof that I have regarding my faith
has not come from being persuaded by rational argument.”
... I love how you are describing your unverifiable feelings
as “conclusive proof” Normandy. You have admitted you have
no way to know the truthfulness of your feelings except
that you have feelings that your feelings are right!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
“While reason and logic can, and does help persuade
some people, the real convincing comes through the
manifestations of the Spirit of God, which is something
between the individual and God himself.”
The bottom line of all cultic belief is identical -
unverifiable feelings that are either imaginary or
demonic in origin.
These feelings, as you describe, grant you the ability
to ignore the facts, evidence and logical arguments that
prove that mormonism is totally fake.
Best,
ampu
“Need to go pack the truck, taking the Scouts backpacking
and fishing (going after some Golden Trout) this weekend.”
Go build some memories your son will never forget! It
all goes too fast.
:-)
The question was answered seems you are unable to understand only the Lord can enlighten you!
He went back to sleep after being busted, LOL.
Resty, PROVE IT.
The scriptures say those seeking signs are adjusters...
Matt. 12: 38-39
38 ¶ Then certain of the scribes and of the Pharisees answered, saying, Master, we would see a sign from thee.
39 But he answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas:
“The scriptures say those seeking signs are adjusters...”
Adjusters??
I asked for PROOF of your wild claims, not a sign.
It is YOU who asks God for a sign that mormonism is true!
I asked for any proof, facts, evidence, logical argumentation
that your “apostles” and “prophets” are real.
Don’t change the subject. :-)
Norm -
What has already been related in this regard is that your 'proof' is subjective and that in itself has no greater validity than the testimony of a moslem, buddist, hindu or witch for that matter.
For example, which version of the bom is 'true'? - the 1830? The printers manuscript? The 1927 version? The 1987 version? The latest version? If we consider just two of these many Book of Mormonssay the 1927 edition and the current editionand the Mormons today received the same message about the reliability of the Book of Mormon as the 1927 Mormons, then we have a problem. Somebody is not telling the truth. The same goes for Doctrines and covenants norm - Were the 1835 Mormons wrong about their testimonies or are current Mormons wrong? The Holy Ghost cannot lie, after all.
Norm, the bible tells us to not rely ONLY upon our feelings/subjective experiences for truth. There can't be competing 'truth'.
The change?
The word Trinity does not appear in the Bible ANYWHERE, the doctrine of the Godhead which is restored in the latter days is in the Bible, exactly as we believe it.
I guess if you interpret the Bible hard enough you can make it say what you want. Even that a word that's not in the book is what God “really” meant to say...
God bless you and open your eyes and your brain.
Oh, the 52,000 nasty-spirited missionaries that go out every day and bash Christianity and try to bring Christians under the influence of the Evil One's cult are ever so perfect, eh Resty?
“These feelings, as you describe, grant you the ability
to ignore the facts, evidence and logical arguments that
prove that mormonism is totally fake.”
Well your opinion is that Mormonism is fake — a premise I reject and I hope at some time you will reconsider.
And even if you may not accept our doctrine, I’d hope that you understand that LDS are not your enemies— I’d imagine we actually have a lot in common. I’m sure like us, you cherish family, freedom, faith in God, and the values that Jesus taught.
Best regards,
Normandy
We still have a couple who are also playing "better than you".
One is multi-talented...can whine WHILE looking down on us :d)
500
Love the graphic...think I’ll steal it!
Szonian no longer has to try to "discern" Nephi or any other chapters in the fictional book of Joseph Smith...he has been delivered by Jesus Christ and for that, I say HALLEUJAH
AMEN!!!!!
The word Trinity does not appear in the Bible ANYWHERE
___________________________________________________
The word palygamy does not appear in the Bible ANYWHERE
But that didnt hinder Joey Smith from making a religion based on the foul practice so he could satisfy his base appetites ...
and have at least 40+ one night stands with his groupies of gullible women and under aged girls..
The word Trinity does not appear in the Bible ANYWHERE
___________________________________________________
The word POLYGAMY does not appear in the Bible ANYWHERE
But that didnt hinder Joey Smith from making a religion based on the foul practice so he could satisfy his base appetites ...
and have at least 40+ one night stands with his groupies of gullible women and under aged girls..
500
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