1. I think religious institutions, especially centralized, hierarchical ones, are either inherently oppressive and abusive or else so open and prone to abuse that human nature nevertheless makes abuse and oppression inevitable.
2. I have a hard time feeling like religious belief is valid without the stamp of approval from an authoritative religious hierarchy.
Thank you, Mormonism.
Sailing to Byzantium 
Do as I say. And I say do anything. (except have an affair. That you’re not allowed to do. Oh, or abuse our children.)
🙂
My plans to be spontaneous fell through at the last moment.
I totally agree on #1, but I don’t quite follow #2s logic. If a religion needs an authority that backs it up, then who backs that authority, God? If so, then why can’t you talk to that god directly and “they” (somewhere, sometime) could?
A religion is nothing more but the formalization of a belief. In my consideration, the belief has to come first to be authentic.
You clearly misunderstand. There’s no logic to follow. It’s a personal, subjective paradox. The post is about a conflicted way that I feel. I agree, theoretically, that #2 should not even really exist. But for me, it persists.
Kullervo,
This honestly makes me sad, to hear what Mormonism has done to you. For me, I feel FREE as a Christian, and FREE at church. Free to express myself, free to ask questions, free to ask for help, free to be accepted just as I am, and free to bring my entire life to the cross of Christ. I feel liberated by Jesus. My before and after… well, the after is much better than the before.
The stamp of approval for me is what the scriptures teach, especially the New Testament. It’s a wonderful thing. God’s love is repleat in the Bible in my view. Not that it’s always 100% clear on everything, but the things made plain are the things that keep my energy and enthusiasm alive and kicking. I don’t go to church every Sunday, sometimes I can’t make it, and that’s fine. I don’t have rules that I have to follow… I can drink coffee, and heck, I can drink beer too, and I do, and I like it!
Man, your story bums me out. Being a Christian is supposed to be the best thing that can happen in your life.
I must agree that beer is pretty much one of my favorite things. I went from faithful Mormon straight to beer snob.
I’ll admit I kinda like the smell of coffee. And being a rather pretentious person, I’d like to be a wine connoisseur, but alas….
I see. It doesn’t have to persist though, you know… it’s ultimately your choice.
Vitor, while it is his choice, at the same time, it’s a little bit more complicated and deeper than just deciding.
It’s how he was raised–it’s like following an entirely different mindset. Yes, you can decide to do it… but it’s difficult to get the ingrained mentalities away.
The Bible says not to get DRUNK, but it also says that God made wine to make our hearts glad, so why not have a glass, or two, or three (well, then you better stop).
Check it out here in Pslam 104:15. So in light of this, why can’t a Mormon drink him or herself a bit of wine? (The context is that we are learning of the wonderful things God has provided us, INCLUDING WINE BABY!!!!)
“He makes grass grow for the cattle,
and plants for man to cultivate—
bringing forth food from the earth:
15 wine that gladdens the heart of man,
oil to make his face shine,
and bread that sustains his heart.
Seth, go out and get yourself a nice bottle of red and enjoy it bro. I can make some reccomendations for you. I know, you’re not supposed to, but why should you deprive yourself of one of life’s great pleasures? Clearly the Bible endorses it, just don’t get drunk, ever!
Well, I have to go pour myself a fresh glass of O’Dell’s 90 Schilling from my kegerator, which I do love by the way. That thing rules.
The Bible, the guidebook to all life’s questions, is oddly silent on methamphetamine. Sounds like a tacit endorsement to me! 😉
Only slightly off the point:
http://slingword.notawebsiteanymore.com/2009/04/30/an-open-question-to-the-religious/
Not “slightly off the point.” More like “entirely off the point.” I hereby deem thee a troll; please don’t let the e-door hit you in the ass on the way out.