Teancum Posted October 10, 2015 Posted October 10, 2015 How did Jesus handle that Us vs. Them scenario or did he just avoid it completely?Does it matter? I think I was fairly general that religions often use vs them scenario to keep the believers of any particular sect more insular and committed. The people who wrote the New Testament certainly used many sayings like this. Christianity is full of ideas that create this dynamic.
Teancum Posted October 10, 2015 Posted October 10, 2015 Anti = againstAnti-Mormon = against Mormons Criticize can be "evaluating" or "finding fault". The first may not be anti, but the second is. Yep. So?Just as long as there is fair play on both sides.
ttribe Posted October 10, 2015 Posted October 10, 2015 Anti = againstAnti-Mormon = against Mormons Criticize can be "evaluating" or "finding fault". The first may not be anti, but the second is. For the record, it's rather condescending to give "dictionary" responses when I'm clearly looking for something more substantive. That being said, your response is informative. Probably just not in the way you intended.
sunstoned Posted October 10, 2015 Posted October 10, 2015 I know there's bad stuff out there, but I'm seeing way too many people who seemed to be consumed with fear. Promoting fear has been used as a control method by leaders of various organizations throughout history. Fear is a powerful emotion that often spawns "us versus them" groupthink that tends to focus attention away from internal issues and problems of a group/organization/country and toward the perceived external threats from "them". Sometimes the threats are real, but often they are imagined or even fabricated. These types of situations are a fine incubator for paranoia, and alarmist rhetoric is often used in describing these threats.
BTH&T Posted October 10, 2015 Posted October 10, 2015 (edited) Last night I was pondering some of the conversations I've had here and some of the discussions about general conference, and it struck me how much fear is being expressed. From what I can see, people are afraid of secularism, the gay-rights movement, feminism, liberalism, conservatism, the government, the pro-choice movement, atheism, academia, the Internet, ex-Mormons, anti-Mormons, secret combinations, global warming, the anti-global warming movement, GMOs, vaccines, high-fructose corn syrup, evolution, science, and a whole host of other things. Many people have mentioned the need to protect and inoculate themselves and their families against these scary and evil forces of opposition. I'm not saying this to criticize, but in or out of the church, I think we have reasons to be optimistic and hopeful about the future. There is no place for gloom and doom and shutting ourselves off from the world. We should be out there in the world trying to make a positive difference. My recently released bishop, for example, is the county executive here, and he told me that, although he's not a natural politician (putting it mildly), he wanted to make a difference in his adopted home in Virginia. People in and out of the church are doing great things and moving righteous causes forward. And yet we despair. One of my favorite scriptures has always been Doctrine and Covenants 128, wherein Joseph Smith outlines all the reasons he has for optimist and hope in the future. The highlight for me comes in verses 22-23: I feel optimistic. What about you? What makes you hopeful about the future?I'm hopeful and looking forward to the future. Knowing that all will be as The Lord has proclaimed. Though we may pass through tribulations, I look at it as in the hymn "come, come ye saints" All is well! Oh, I know that many will scream that things are not well. It's all about perspective. The Savoir tells us that the peace we find is not as the world recognizes, it is so much better! My concerns now are for my grandchildren, seeing Babylon becoming so destructive to all of us. My hope is to help them realize what is most important and to enjoy those simple and pure times we can share.After all isn't it about being with those we love the most, our families. Edited October 10, 2015 by BTH&T 1
janderich Posted October 10, 2015 Posted October 10, 2015 Some may fear, but that is the opposite of the gospel message. The truth is that on this earth external difficulties will always be with us. But in our hearts we may be filled with peace if we are centered in Christ.There certainly can and will be plenty of external difficulties in life; nevertheless, the soul that comes unto Christ dwells within a personal fortress, a veritable palace of perfect peace. “Whoso hearkeneth unto me,” Jehovah says, “shall dwell safely, and shall be quiet from fear of evil” (Prov. 1:33).https://www.lds.org/ensign/1998/04/come-unto-me?lang=eng I have indeed been surrounded by a veritable fortress of peace while in the midst of difficulties because of the spirit of the Lord which in me dwells. I have marveled and pondered the words of President Monson regarding the future.There will be nothing in this world that can defeat us. My beloved brothers and sisters, fear not. Be of good cheer. The future is as bright as your faith. https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2009/04/be-of-good-cheer?lang=engAnd so it is. Those without faith are filled with doubt and do not know what the future will bring them personally. They do not realize who they are, nor will accept the calm assurance the spirit brings. 3
Avatar4321 Posted October 10, 2015 Posted October 10, 2015 JK, I've seen a lot fear in people too. My sister being one. She literally is counting the days for the Savior's return and organizing her food storage and stocking up on ammunition. We live in great times. No other time in the history of the world have we had more opportunity, better healthcare, more freedom and more blessings. We should be the happiest people on earth, not fearful and certainly not in despair.Sounds like she is preparing the wrong way.
Avatar4321 Posted October 10, 2015 Posted October 10, 2015 Does anyone think that religions are fear based anyway..all religions. Damnation is quite a tool.Have you seriously studied the gospel? How is a message of hope fear based?The point of the gospel is we don't need to fear. If we exercise faith in Christ we cam have hope in the face of trials that will come our way, even unto death itself. 1
Avatar4321 Posted October 10, 2015 Posted October 10, 2015 The main thing I fear regarding spiritual matters is punishment from God for all my mistakes.Then repent and obtain forgiveness for your mistakes. Prepare yourself to meet God and you will not fear the day you do.
Avatar4321 Posted October 10, 2015 Posted October 10, 2015 For the record, it's rather condescending to give "dictionary" responses when I'm clearly looking for something more substantive. That being said, your response is informative. Probably just not in the way you intended.What exactly is more substantive for a definition of a term than what the dictionary says? If the dictionary can't tell us what words mean, what can?
ttribe Posted October 10, 2015 Posted October 10, 2015 What exactly is more substantive for a definition of a term than what the dictionary says? If the dictionary can't tell us what words mean, what can? I didn't expect this, but I'm finding these reactions interesting.
willy1 Posted November 8, 2015 Posted November 8, 2015 It is hard sometimes to fear and not to doubt when there is much unrest and turmoil in the world today. Many generations have come and gone finding ways to see the light through the darkness. Turning to the Lord in prayer for guidance and strength has helped me to see the good in the world and in my life. This scripture for Isaiah 49:13 helps sum my thoughts. "Sing, O heavens; and be joyful, O earth; and break forth into singing, O mountains: for the Lord hath comforted his people, and will have mercy upon his afflicted."This particular scripture has given me strength to see that as I exercise faith in Christ, he will amplifiy we desire to do good around me and make the world a better place. God is there to comfort and ease our fears of the world, we can turn to him and receive the peace and guidance though his teachings as I have witnessed in my own life. 1
JAHS Posted November 8, 2015 Posted November 8, 2015 "What makes you hopeful about the future?" That the church is standing strong for what it believes and doesn't bend to secular and social pressures. "That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;" (Eph 4:14) The church is confidently moving forward despite all the ankle biting critics who would try to tear it down.
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