>>If the members are happy in their beliefs and their form of worship, why should so many people want them to change?<<
I’ll put it this way:
The bible is about two things: Man’s relationship with man and man’s relationship with his Creator. You can even see it in the ten commandments. All of them fall into one of those categories.
Now, as Solomon says in Ecclesiastes, it is mans lot to eat and drink and enjoy the fruits of his labor and it is a good thing. However, that is all about man’s relationship with man.
And like an animal, one can live a happy life if one follows the rules as laid down in the bible. And I think the mormons nail that one pretty well with only minor exceptions (especially for men). But where they are completely lacking, as is your statement, is in their teaching about man’s relationship with his Creator.
This is a serious problem because this is actually the REAL issue. Life is mindbogglingly short compared to eternity. It is also only a shadow of what an eternal relationship with your creator is.
In my opinion, the only difference between a devout mormon and a street bum or islamic suicide bomber is that the mormon lives a happier life. They all go to the same place - annihilation. And that is the exact thing that Christs death and resurrection is to save us from.
It is a pretty important thing.
What I say above comes from a context of my believing the general conclusion made by the author here:
HELL: Eternal Torment or Complete Annihilation?
http://www.jeremyandchristine.com/articles/eternal.php
RobRoy,
An excellent observation and post.
AMPU
>>”I guarantee that someone will clip a couple of my words written here and make a big issue out of it. They will respond to me with quotes and links, ad nauseum.”<<
As predicted, they have attacked.
I enjoy reading your views and mature discussion.
Thank you for being the adult, while so many others act as children....panax