Quora biased against Mormonism?

[Sleeper Cell]

4 hours ago, cdowis said:

Not a false hope, but the truth that God is no respecter of persons, that he is merciful and gives those who have no knowledge of the Gospel an opportunity to be judged with full knowledge of the fullness of the Gospel, and to be judged based on how they lived according to the light that they possessed here on earth.

The  "false hope" is for those who reject God and His prophets, the false hope that they will avoid judgement for their choices here on earth.  That they will avoid the Final Judgement when all things will be revealed.

The “false hope” I mentioned refers to the fact that when someone we know rejects God and His prophets , we generally don’t know whether he had really received a “sufficient level” of knowledge or not. I believe that even when an apostate dies, his family is generally permitted to do the temple work for him. Why would they do so, unless they have some hope regarding his salvation?  A hope which may or may not turn out to have been a false hope.  

I certainly do not disagree with the basic point of your last paragraph.  

 

 

[ttribe]

For a second, I thought this thread was about Quorra:

 

[Atheist Mormon]

4 hours ago, cdowis said:

I hear that hell is not all that it is cracked up to be, especially during the summer.  Be sure to get back to us and let us know what it's like.

I've been there couple weeks ago believe me...It was 116 Fahrenheit I hiked a little and went to my most favorite Refuge called Las Vegas, this time I was alone, on top of that was staying at the Hooters...I'm glad my wife did not show any hostility......If you ask me ther real Hell was on my way to Vegas, Colorado City.

[Sleeper Cell]

4 hours ago, Atheist Mormon said:

Check Inca, Maya, Aztec religions.....The heads regularly rolled down from Pyramid tops..

As pointed out by others, this is hardly an exhaustive list of their beliefs.  

Let’s see.  Mormons are open to the possibility that they may have things in common even with those whom they find utterly repulsive. Apparently, you are not.

.. And Mormons are the ones who are intolerant and judgmental?  
 

[Atheist Mormon]

25 minutes ago, Sleeper Cell said:

. And Mormons are the ones who are intolerant and judgmental?  
 

Didn't write anywhere Mormons were intolerant....But......is it something I should be proud sharing a partial gospel truth with the religion of Islam?

[RevTestament]

3 hours ago, Robert F. Smith said:

It is rare to find a true open forum on the internet.  Particularly one which is substantive in nature.  Wikipedia is a nice idea for creating encyclopedic entries, and has many answers, but sometimes becomes a site for warfare and dissemination of propaganda.  The other day Facebook decided to eliminate human-managed news, replacing it with an algorithm searching for high-interest items and automatically publishing them.  Unfortunately, that led to completely false information being highlighted simply because it had gotten a lot of hits elsewhere.  Human moderators with high ethical and intellectual qualities are needed in all fora.

I believe that is the case, and that is where some censorship comes in. For instance if I started a forum for LDS Christians, I don't think I would allow devil worshipers on my forum. I would censor them in order to maintain the quality of the site. Well most religious forums of a Christian bent view LDS Christianity as fringe at best. One I really liked has an open-minded owner who allows everyone on the Christian forum who affirms the Bible, which I do. However, when the site went through a soft-ware update one of the mods who had tried to get me off the Christian-only forum deleted all my threads. I complained to the owner, but got no satisfaction, so I rarely post there anymore. I think the site was experiencing a drop in traffic, and he wasn't in the mood. The site did seem to cater somewhat to paying subscribers. The spirit took me elsewhere. Actually, right now I am spending most of my time researching and writing a book - a commentary of sorts. But those experiences on other sites did help me. I learned the trigger points most Christians are experiencing today so as to better address them.

[Atheist Mormon]

2 hours ago, Freedom said:

These religions believed in a God. They also have basic understandings of obedience. The Christian gospel goes back to Adam. We do not know when Adam lived, but he was likely among the first humans who could read and write. God has always provided his gospel when his children were willing to accept it. 

Your logic escapes me a little; what do you mean when you write " when his children were willing to accept it", Are you inferring correctly they weren't ready when they were "Homo Habilis"or"Neanderthal"?

[The Nehor]

5 hours ago, Atheist Mormon said:

Yea, really convenient......I'm waiting & holding my breath.......Is there other alternative? Obviously I have no other choice; I can't see anything I can't test anything....All I have to do is wait (by keeping commandments). Meanwhile God forbid that I covet my neighbor's cute wife or caught in a lie.....

 

He did forbid it.

[Sleeper Cell]

47 minutes ago, Atheist Mormon said:

Didn't write anywhere Mormons were intolerant....But......is it something I should be proud sharing a partial gospel truth with the religion of Islam?

Didn't write anywhere that you did.

I certainly am not ashamed that I share some truths with the religion of Islam.  Nor am I ashamed that I attended an “End of Ramadan” dinner at the home of my Muslim neighbor.  I do not judge someone else’s religion by the beliefs and conduct of its worst members.  Do you?  

[Calm]

3 hours ago, Robert F. Smith said:

It is rare to find a true open forum on the internet.  Particularly one which is substantive in nature.  Wikipedia is a nice idea for creating encyclopedic entries, and has many answers, but sometimes becomes a site for warfare and dissemination of propaganda.  The other day Facebook decided to eliminate human-managed news, replacing it with an algorithm searching for high-interest items and automatically publishing them.  Unfortunately, that led to completely false information being highlighted simply because it had gotten a lot of hits elsewhere.  Human moderators with high ethical and intellectual qualities are needed in all fora.

Yeah, I wasn't impressed with a lot of the 'top' answers, one in particular started out just fine with fitness advice but then got into what could be a very dangerous practice for some people without referring to any research or cautions (working out while fasting).

And for sleep hygiene they suggested sleeping with your curtains open so you get woken up by daylight, not something you want to do these days because of streetlights and cars creating light disturbance for many plus the variation over the year in sunrise for many means you are always resetting your cycle.  (You can get alarm clocks that wake you up with simulated sunlight, I find that to be a very good idea...I should write an answer, ha!)

I haven't looked at the religion quora yet, so at the moment all I can tell is there appears to be a definite lack of interest given there are only about a dozen religiously themed quora from what I saw as opposed to listing a couple of hundred possibly science themed and tons of health and productivity/self help ones.  There are even less entertainment media and political quora, I think, but that might be because I ignore that stuff.  However, in promoting use because of who might be giving answers, the first listed were mostly actors and politicians.  

 There does seem to be a great (imo) emphasis on education.  How well they do that I haven't yet decided and maybe won't depending on how worthwhile I think it is or if there is too much chaff to wade through for the kernels.

[Calm]

42 minutes ago, RevTestament said:

 But those experiences on other sites did help me. I learned the trigger points most Christians are experiencing today so as to better address them.

If one goes to those sites to try and understand POVs rather than debate, they can be quite helpful...but it can be frustrating if one feels others are not trying to do the same.

[cinepro]

3 hours ago, Storm Rider said:

JW's - They believe in the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; they believe in the Great Commission of sharing the gospel message to the world; believe in revelation, apostasy, guidance of the Holy Spirit are immediate beliefs that come to mind.

The Christadelphians believe in the God of Israel; the God is a separate being from the Son, believe in baptism by immersion, repentance; importance of discipleship, understand the old covenant of the OT; believe in the resurrection.

Both have truths they teach. I am sure there are many more, but these come immediately to mind.

Would it be your supposition that members of other religions only get spiritual confirmations of the parts of the their religions that correlate directly to Mormon doctrine?  In other words, it's possible for a JW to get a spiritual confirmation that missionary work is important, but not possible to get a spiritual confirmation that God doesn't condone blood transfusions?

Also, would it be possible for a JW to feel the spirit when getting baptized into their church?

[Storm Rider]

24 minutes ago, cinepro said:

Would it be your supposition that members of other religions only get spiritual confirmations of the parts of the their religions that correlate directly to Mormon doctrine?  In other words, it's possible for a JW to get a spiritual confirmation that missionary work is important, but not possible to get a spiritual confirmation that God doesn't condone blood transfusions?

Also, would it be possible for a JW to feel the spirit when getting baptized into their church?

It is my position that an individual may feel or sense the Holy Ghost when doing anything that draws that individual closer to God.  Further, the Holy Ghost does not bear witness to any falsehood; thus, an individual can only receive a spiritual witness to truth.

Of course it is possible for a JW to sense the Spirit when being baptized into their church.  Why would you think differently?  No, an individual will not receive a spiritual witness that a blood transfusion is not in keeping with God's teachings.

 

[Robert F. Smith]

16 minutes ago, Storm Rider said:

It is my position that an individual may feel or sense the Holy Ghost when doing anything that draws that individual closer to God.  Further, the Holy Ghost does not bear witness to any falsehood; thus, an individual can only receive a spiritual witness to truth.

Of course it is possible for a JW to sense the Spirit when being baptized into their church.  Why would you think differently?  No, an individual will not receive a spiritual witness that a blood transfusion is not in keeping with God's teachings.

I'm not sure how an adherent to an Eastern religion might respond to that, except to suggest that they have their own very strong spiritual feelings, and that they engage in deep meditation.  So too, how might a shamanistic religion respond to your comments?  Is this matter one of traditional terminology, or of actual effects?

[Atheist Mormon]

2 hours ago, Sleeper Cell said:

Didn't write anywhere that you did.

I certainly am not ashamed that I share some truths with the religion of Islam.  Nor am I ashamed that I attended an “End of Ramadan” dinner at the home of my Muslim neighbor.  I do not judge someone else’s religion by the beliefs and conduct of its worst members.  Do you?  

Do I? I grew up in Middle East, among good people (give & take balances out like here in US). But religion of Islam? Has very little of defensible/good parts in it....Heeck if you start inspecting Christianity from Old Testament it would look like a Terror from Hell too..... 

[Damien the Leper]

6 hours ago, Storm Rider said:

JW's - They believe in the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; they believe in the Great Commission of sharing the gospel message to the world; believe in revelation, apostasy, guidance of the Holy Spirit are immediate beliefs that come to mind.

The Christadelphians believe in the God of Israel; the God is a separate being from the Son, believe in baptism by immersion, repentance; importance of discipleship, understand the old covenant of the OT; believe in the resurrection.

Both have truths they teach. I am sure there are many more, but these come immediately to mind.

Darn you! Hmmm...got it!! Compare Wicca and Oneness Pentecostal.

[cinepro]

2 hours ago, Storm Rider said:

It is my position that an individual may feel or sense the Holy Ghost when doing anything that draws that individual closer to God.  Further, the Holy Ghost does not bear witness to any falsehood; thus, an individual can only receive a spiritual witness to truth.

Of course it is possible for a JW to sense the Spirit when being baptized into their church.  Why would you think differently?  No, an individual will not receive a spiritual witness that a blood transfusion is not in keeping with God's teachings.

 

So on what basis can LDS tell others that if they feel "the spirit" when reading The Book of Mormon, attending LDS services etc. that it is a sign that the claims of LDS exclusivity  are true, when in fact it may just be the spirit telling them that they're doing something that draws them closer to God, but isn't necessarily more true than what other religions do to bring them to God?

[Storm Rider]

2 hours ago, Robert F. Smith said:

I'm not sure how an adherent to an Eastern religion might respond to that, except to suggest that they have their own very strong spiritual feelings, and that they engage in deep meditation.  So too, how might a shamanistic religion respond to your comments?  Is this matter one of traditional terminology, or of actual effects?

I think it is a matter of traditional Christian terminology; however, I believe that the effect comes from the same source regardless if the individual recognizes it as such or not.  Another way of saying it is that truth can only come ultimately from a single source.  There might be a great number of creeks, sloughs, rivers that come from that single source and they each might have their own name, but the source is the same one. 

[Storm Rider]

57 minutes ago, cinepro said:

So on what basis can LDS tell others that if they feel "the spirit" when reading The Book of Mormon, attending LDS services etc. that it is a sign that the claims of LDS exclusivity  are true, when in fact it may just be the spirit telling them that they're doing something that draws them closer to God, but isn't necessarily more true than what other religions do to bring them to God?

I think this is evident and answered by your own question.  Do you have the Book of Mormon in your religion?  Why not?  Oh, yet the Spirit of God has revealed to you that it is true; when would you like to be baptized?  The Church does not teach or believe or has ever believed or taught that it is the sole source of truth.  Joseph was more than clear and scripture supported his teaching that truth is found in all religions to the degree that they are able to grasp and live.  The only exclusivity that we possess is the authority to act in God's name, which is to seal things on earth and in heaven. 

[Storm Rider]

1 hour ago, Valentinus said:

Darn you! Hmmm...got it!! Compare Wicca and Oneness Pentecostal.

Don't stretch me, bro, don't stretch me!  Within Wicca there is a common belief in the soul of each individual that remains after death; an understanding that our actions have consequences for good or ill - it is not a moral tradition of sin, but it is a good foundation upon which to build. The do recognize a God or eternal force in the universe, which is also a foundation upon which to build a more accurate understanding of God the Father and his role in our creation and purpose for being.

The Oneness Pentecostals have a good foundation of teachings on the God of Israel, in the process of salvation through Jesus Christ - repentance, baptism, and the importance of being born spiritually.  They understand that baptism of children has no merit or purpose; that with baptism an individual should commit and reflect their commitment through living a holy life.  

I really don't think there is a religion or church that we cannot find many, many good things which they teach and live.  I believe that we as a people and as a church can learn something from the vast majority of them.  GBH said it best by bring what good you have and let us add to it.  We make it sweeter, fuller, and add depth in places that did not exist.  In their bringing of truth and good things to us we gain by learning the same things that they learn from us just in different areas. 

[bluebell]

3 hours ago, cinepro said:

Also, would it be possible for a JW to feel the spirit when getting baptized into their church?

I think so.  It seems like the Spirit would confirm the decision to follow God and a sincere desire to covenant with Him (or whatever baptism means for JWs) as the person understands God's will for him to be.

[cinepro]

15 minutes ago, bluebell said:

I think so.  It seems like the Spirit would confirm the decision to follow God and a sincere desire to covenant with Him (or whatever baptism means for JWs) as the person understands God's will for him to be.

I think that's a nice sentiment, but oddly at odds with LDS doctrine and practice.   Or my mission to areas that were largely Catholic and Evangelical was a colossal waste of time and money.

[cinepro]

42 minutes ago, Storm Rider said:

I think this is evident and answered by your own question.  Do you have the Book of Mormon in your religion?  Why not?  Oh, yet the Spirit of God has revealed to you that it is true; when would you like to be baptized?  The Church does not teach or believe or has ever believed or taught that it is the sole source of truth.  Joseph was more than clear and scripture supported his teaching that truth is found in all religions to the degree that they are able to grasp and live.  The only exclusivity that we possess is the authority to act in God's name, which is to seal things on earth and in heaven. 

That works great until someone gets a spiritual confirmation of doctrine or practice not in Mormonism. 

For example, I know several Catholics who feel the Spirit during their Mass.  On what basis should they reject that spiritual confirmation in favor of a more LDS-centric one?

[bluebell]

9 minutes ago, cinepro said:

I think that's a nice sentiment, but oddly at odds with LDS doctrine and practice.   Or my mission to areas that were largely Catholic and Evangelical was a colossal waste of time and money.

I don't think so.  I think that God leads us along, line upon line.  My own husband was active Catholic and active Lutheran before he joined the LDS church as a teenager (long before i knew him).  His spiritual path and experiences in those other churches are part of what lead him to the mormon church.  He felt that God approved of his baptism and activity in the Lutheran church for example, but that did not stop him from recognizing the Spirit and where God was leading Him as he learned the doctrines of this church.

[Robert F. Smith]

22 minutes ago, cinepro said:

That works great until someone gets a spiritual confirmation of doctrine or practice not in Mormonism. 

For example, I know several Catholics who feel the Spirit during their Mass.  On what basis should they reject that spiritual confirmation in favor of a more LDS-centric one?

I'm not so sure that the Roman Catholic mass (or its parallels within other denominations), and the Jewish Passover differ in substance, nor that they are any less spiritual in nature -- at least in God's view.  Being LDS-centric may be nice (and have actual priesthood authority), but it is an extreme minority position, which may be largely irrelevant till Kingdom come.  It seems more like the LDS Church is God's special cadre preparing the Earth for the End Times, not that it is the only game in town.