Faith or Peer Pressure?

One of my former bosses was the 'sex drugs and rock & roll' type, until he found religion in his thirties.  He now goes to church every Sunday and is a leader at his chapel.

My sister in law became an atheist in her twenties, and decided growing up in the church was a waste of youth.

And you know what?  Whether I agree with their views or not, I have more respect for them (and those like them) than those that are born-and-raised Baptists/Hippies/Buddhists/etc.

Why?  Because they made a decision as an adult.  One that was informed and thought-out.  They matured on one path and decided it wasn't for them.

Now I know a lot of you have had your own religious Rumspringa and feel like you've weighed all options.  If you have, I'm not really talking to you.

I'm talking to the people who say "I'm a Mormon because my parents are Mormon" and that's good enough for them, like my example below.

This post started from a new video from Big Think, involving Bill Nye the Science Guy:

I'm a 90's kid and grew up watching Bill in High School Biology.  (BILL!  BILL!)  In this video he talks about parents not raising their kids to be creationists.

While I see the validity of his argument, I'd like to disagree with you, Mr. Nye.

The Flying Spaghetti Monster

Parents, take a part of Bill's advice.  Don't raise your kids to be Creationists.  But don't raise your kids to be Atheists either.

Don't raise your kids to be Pastafarians.

Don't raise your kids to be Mormon.

Don't raise your kids to be Democrats.

Don't raise your kids to BE anything, but an open-minded thinker who sees ALL SIDES of an argument and makes a rational decision on their own.  Faith isn't something to be rushed into, just like a three-year-old's decision on a career path isn't set in stone.

As we mature, our views on the world, on religion, and on BIG IDEAS should mature as well.  We shouldn't be programmed at a young age to think "...and that's the way it is..." about anything.

ANYTHING.

Parents, don't raise your kids with limits.  With boundaries.  With disadvantages.

This sign says it perfectly.  When we begin to think for ourselves and question everything we see, we begin to get answers that make sense to us.

If I was content on the views that were spoon-fed to me by my parents, I'd be a Jehovah's Witness that only votes Democrat (regardless of issue or candidate), smokes cigarettes, smokes pot and hates Mexicans.

That doesn't sound very fun, does it?

So.  Adults.  Sit down.  Look at who you are.  Is this who you are, or who your parents raised you to be?

The answer can be both, but if 'B' is your only choice, it's time to do some self-evaluation.

When I was working at an Idaho car lot, I had a Mormon friend I would hang with.  We'd go to the bar once a week after work (Jack Mormon, so he drank) and the topic eventually turned to faith.

Him:  So, what religion are you?

Me:  I'm not.

Him:  So you're an Atheist?

Me:  No, they're a religion too.  I have a belief in a higher power, something beyond our comprehension, I just see the major religions out there as corrupt and misleading.  I don't believe, in one way or another, that we have all the answers.  Most religions think they do, and know how everything is and was and will be.  I think that's really cocky on their part...

Him:  ....

Me:  So, why are you Mormon?  You drink, you swear... do you believe in the Mormon teachings?

Him: (without hesitation)  Absolutely.

Me:  So why do you drink beer?

Him:  Because I think that's ok, even though the church says otherwise.

Me:  Are your parents Mormon?

Him:  Yeah...

Me:  Is that why YOU are Mormon?

Him:  *Silence*

Six months later we met again, and he told me I was right.  He was going to church because he felt he had to.  He left the LDS church and was going to think and study about what faith means to him (if anything).

He was 'believing' for all the wrong reasons.

And there are a lot of people out there, just like him.

No matter what you believe: religious, political, etc.  If you came to those decisions on your own, I salute you.  You are the few, the proud, the lemmings that survive instead of run off the cliff because the person in front of you did.

Your move, Bill.  While I agree with what you are saying, I think you're leaving things just like the creationists:  In a little box of "...and that's the way it is..."

Mormons and Posthumous Baptism: Insulting or A Nice Gesture?

One of my LDS friends on Facebook posted an article from Slate, talking about Mormons and baptism of the dead.  Specifically of Daniel Pearl, a Jewish reporter from the Wall Street Journal who was beheaded in the middle east about 10 years ago.

My friend's opinion on the article was this:

"Can just say, If you don't believe it, does it really matter? If you don't believe in the LDS church, does it matter? It shouldn't be a big deal unless you believe the practice is actually going to "work". The Book of Mormon is just a book unless you believe it to be scripture."

And while I agree to an extent, I think it's the principle.  If you don't believe in religion and think 'dead is dead' there is no soul to play with after you've passed on and this practice is pointless.  However, for religious people, this could be seen as the Mormon Church trying to call 'dibs' on your soul...

If you read more into the actual ceremony, the LDS Church believes you can't get into heaven unless you're baptized, so that's what they do.  They don't necessarily baptize you MORMON, but they want to give you the chance to 'go home.'  According to this website, they only do it for ancestors and family members of mormons, but there are plenty of stories around citing random baptisms of Holocaust victims, and even Barack Obama's mother.

As far as I can tell, this is a 'souls only' thing, and they are not digging up graves in the middle of the night.  Still, in the event of a Zombie Apocalypse, it's going to be interesting to see how many of the undead think they're mormons now...

Some of the comments on the Slate website were interesting.  Askamormon has a website representative trying to explain the LDS point of view, while others chimed in saying "Mandate from heaven?  As a Catholic, I believe I have a divine mandate to burn you at the stake for your heretical practices. But as an American living in a pluralistic and secular society, I restrain that impulse for the greater good. There are some things that people of faith need to keep to themselves if we want to have a civilization. "

One commenter posted a link to a site called "All Dead Mormons are Now Gay" where you can baptize dead Mormons into homosexuals.  Interesting concept.

I also enjoyed the ever-confusing concept of Jewish people as a race vs religion.  I always thought Judaism was a religious choice, but apparently there are a lot of Jewish Mormons?  I don't even want to go down THIS road...

I just thought this was funny...

Lastly you can contact the church to be included in an opt-out list, so they don't go after you once you're dead.  However, a lot of people were asking for an opt-in vs an opt-out...

My general thought was I want to live and die by the beliefs I choose.  Whether that be Catholic/Atheist/Mormon/Hindu, etc.  Let me be who I want to be, and die that way as well.  I am free to make my own choice, and a posthumous baptism, to me, says "ok, now that you're done doing the wrong thing all your life, let US fix it for you!"

What are your thoughts on this subject?  Does it matter?  Do you believe in "Dead is dead?"  Or do you think a soul floats in purgatory (or worse) until the Mormons step in, and now, after 10 years, Daniel Pearl is finally in heaven?

Please share your opinions below.

(remember, you can comment anonymously if you like...)

Know Your Neighbor: Mormons vs Jack Mormons

Living in the epicenter of the LDS world, I often blog about Mormons and my experiences with them.

I'm here to say to you, today, not all Mormons are bad.  Some are actually quite cool, and I'm happy to say I have made friends with a small handful of them while living in Idaho.

But most of them are considered to be Jack Mormons (or, at least, that's what they call themselves...).  What does this mean, you may ask?

Jack Mormons are still believers of Joseph Smith and his teachings, but think of them like "Christmas" Christians.  The observe what they like, but ignore a lot.  They may not go to church regularly.

The ones I am friends with drink coffee.  And booze.  And curse liberally.   Some smoke.

Some popular mentions of Jack Mormons in the press include Chelsea Handler, Ryan Gosling, and 2012 Republican Candidate (for a while) Jon Huntsman.  Famous blogger Dooce is also reportedly in the Jack camp (though she describes herself as a recovering Mormon), as are the Mormons who made controversial calendars such as Hot Mormon Muffins and/or Men on a Mission.

source

The term Jack Mormon can also be used to describe non-mormons who sympathize with the LDS Church.  Sympathize is a vague term, which could easily mean "hasn't burned down a temple (yet)."  In that case, I guess I am one too....  for now.

Mormons still get a bad rap from a good number of people, and in some circles are still referred to as a "cult."  Whether they are or not isn't the point.

(...but if there were a cult-meter, they would be less cultish than Scientologists and the Hale-Bopp crew, but slightly more cultish then Jehovah's Witnesses and Anonymous...)

What is the point, however, is with all cultures and religious circles, there are decent people, indifferent people, and just plain jerks.  I know many assholes who are Atheist, Baptist, Black, White, Gay, Straight or disabled in some way.  I also know of a few Mormon assholes (and have blogged about some) but also know of some cool ones as well.  Some are "jacked" some are not.

Long story short, people are people.  Some let their faith/culture define them, some do not.  Jack Mormons are in the 'do not' category, and are ok by me.

And honestly, I like the term.  Instead of 'half-assed' I'm going to start using 'jack.'  For example: Jack-sex, for when she isn't in the mood but doesn't say no.

....thoughts?  Think it'll catch on?

An Open Letter to Non-Cursers

'Son of a biscuit.'

'Shizz.'

'What the heck.'

'Freak this.'

Do you hear these often?  I do.  I live in an area where the majority thinks cursing is a bad bad thing, so they find creative ways to do it.  In essence, it's still cursing, but they're using different words.

So, what is wrong with the words 'Fuck' and 'Shit?'  If you read any article pertaining to the FCC and why you can't say certain words on television, it's because of their meaning and intent.

Taken from an article of the NY Times:

"The commission has, for instance, said that swearing in “Saving Private Ryan,” the Steven Spielberg war movie, was not indecent, while swearing by blues masters in a music documentary produced by Martin Scorsese was indecent. Nudity in “Schindler’s List,” another Spielberg movie, was allowed, but a few seconds of partial nudity in “NYPD Blue” was not."

But if you're saying "mother freaker" instead of "motherfucker," is the intent still not there?  Aren't you simply cursing, but with different words?  Vulgar vs non-vulgar use of certain words create a blurry line.  Doesn't the same apply when you leave the vulgarity and intent there, but use a different word?

And this is where I get confused, since the people doing this are of a certain "M" religion... doesn't the bible say if you sin in your heart/mind it is just as bad as the real sin?  Like lusting for your neighbor's wife being just as bad as actual adultery.

Well, if you're cursing with different words, I'm going to say you're still cursing.  Yes, you didn't drop the f-bomb, but that doesn't matter.

If you live by a moral code and are bound to follow it, using 'Son of a Bishop' when you drop your non-caffeinated drink on the ground should still count.  Think of it along the same lines as kids saying "oral doesn't count as sex, so I'm still technically a virgin..."

Even if you're half-assing it, you're still doing it.  Sex, cursing, etc.  Get over it, and either do it right or don't do it at all.

....fuckers....

It's Official - Even Jesus Thinks #Tebow is a Little Intense

Southern Idaho is Bronco country.  The Denver Broncos are the closest NFL team, and the Boise State Broncos are a favorite among most Idahoans.

Top it off with this years successes in Denver, thanks in part to Tim Tebow.

Just in case you haven't caught an interview with this kid, Tebow is very religious.  He personally thanks God before and after each game.  After every touchdown he scores, he kneels and prays.

People call it Tebowing, even though other players have done this before.  He's just the most vocal about it.  Almost to the point of being in your face.

Leave it to Saturday Night Live to take Tebow and turn it into an awesome satire:

Sorry Tim... If Jesus thinks you're a little intense, maybe you should back down.

And I agree.  Give the dude a Sunday off, and learn to win on your own.  You're not the only NFL player who prays before games.  Don't make Jesus take sides...

(I especially like how Jesus mentioned he'd take a week off against the Pats, and whaddaya know, Denver gets spanked...)

(I especially especially liked the joke about the Mormons at the end of the video... who knew?  Oh yeah, Jesus knew...)

I'm not here to make fun of the guy (at least, not TOO much...) but Tim?  Seriously?  You're not the only religious NFL player.

Kurt Warner, Reggie White and countless others have been giving props to God long before you came along.  The difference between them and you?  They never shoved it down people's throats.

So.  Timmy.  Thank Him.  Praise Him.  Play football. There's no need to be a TV Evangelist... there are plenty of those out there already...

Oh, and go Panthers.

Religion and Sex - They Don't Mix For a Reason

Most major religions promote abstinence instead of safe sex.

A lot of people think this is because of Scripture, and the fact God doesn't want people having sex before marriage.

Well, that's not entirely true.  The priesthood promotes abstinence...

...because they don't understand how condoms work.

Maybe with a little education (and patience) we can make this a better world?

It's The End of the World As We Know It ....again...

Remember back in May when the Rapture was supposed to happen?

And it didn't?

And then, when it didn't, the dude that predicted that whole nonsense had a stroke?

Well, after the stroke, he redid is math... and TODAY is actually Rapture day!

YAAAAAAYYYY!!!!

I have been hearing radio reports all day about how today is "RAPTURE DAY 2011:  THE SEQUEL" and I can't help but giggle.  It's supposed to happen around noon Pacific time.

So... if I don't blog tomorrow, you'll know why.  SEE YA, BITCHES!

Mormons are One Thing, But Jehovah's Witnesses???

I was visited the other day by a group of Jehovah's Witnesses.

Wait, visited isn't the right word....

I was aurally molested the other day by a group of Jehovah's Witnesses.

Since moving to Idaho, I have been immersed in LDS culture.  I have a few Mormon friends, and know a lot of crazy Mormon kooks (these are the ones I blog about...).  This town, from time to time, feels like it's ran by the LDS church.

But at the same time, if you tell them to back off, they will.  Jehovah's Witnesses, however, do not.

You see, the JW's believe there is no hell.  They believe in destruction for the wicked, not eternal damnation.  Therefore, they need to save your soul, lest you be destroyed.  And they have no problem telling you this...

Wearing your heart on your sleeve is one thing.  Shoving said sleeve down a person's throat is a bit much.  Maybe they should only have teens go door to door like the Mormons do?  You never see a teen foaming at the mouth about how "your heathenistic ways are a festering wound on God's love for you," do you?

The thing is, I was a JW for a short time in my youth.  My mom wanted to find religion, and was looking for a good "quick fix" church to belong to.  She was visited by the JW's one morning, drank their kool-aid, and all of a sudden mom proclaimed "That's it, we're Jehovah's Witnesses now.  Praise God..."

My brother and I were both under 10, so we did what mommy said.  Dad didn't want any part of it, so the three of us went to church, bible study, etc.

Months later, in mid October, we found out something chilling:  They don't let you celebrate Halloween...  I was pissed.

Later on, we found out you're not allowed to celebrate Christmas either.  They shun on sinful holidays like that, for some reason (pagan hoo-doo, or something...).  Mom let us mail letters to Santa anyway, and tried to hide it from the church.  However, one JW neighbor decided to read our outgoing mail, and showed up with Santa letters in hand, yelling and screaming at mom about how she was sending us into oblivion....

Needless to say, that didn't last long.  Don't fuck with a kid's Christmas.  The end.

So yeah, Mormons are kooky.  But Jehovah's Witnesses?  They freak me the fuck out.  They're just so.... intense...

Is it wrong to consider having a can of mace doorside, just in case they show up again??

And on the 7th Day, Idaho Rested

I have lived in some interesting places before, but I haven't lived anywhere so deeply rooted in their faith as Idaho.

Granted, there are different faiths up here, but one thing is common for most of them.  Sunday is holy, therefore it's time to close up shop.

Happy Ash Wednesday, btw, to my Catholic friends.  What did you give up for Lent?  Not blogging I hope...

To all the non-biscuit eaters, happy Wednesday.  More specifically, happy hangover day to the Fat Tuesday crowd.

The majority of this area is deeply religious.  Whether LDS, Christian, or any branchoff from there, almost everything gets closed down on Sunday while people go to church.

Genesis 2:2 says "On the seventh day God had finished his work of creation, so he rested from all his work." Therefore we must as well, apparently.

Now, I have a faith, in a way, but I'm not a church goer.  I have been to churches in the past, and bounced from catholicism to christianity, to Jehovah's witnesses, and dabbled a bit.  They're all basically the same, just each branchoff focuses on certain tenets of the bible while ignoring other parts.

I look at it all from a logical standpoint, see the contradictions and the absurdities, read the bible as a reference and not the black-and-white end all be all, and therefore I am "an evil free thinker" in the eyes of many.

I use Sunday to get things done.  Yardwork, chores, shopping, etc.  I catch up on Sundays.  In this town, it's severely frowned-upon.  If I'm mowing the lawn, I get glared at.  If I'm about town and not dressed in my Sunday finest, people keep their distance.  It's actually a little funny.

The closest thing to compare is when I lived in Loma Linda, California.  It was primarily a '7th Day Adventist' town, so it was like this, only Saturday.  Yes, the mail was even delivered on Sunday, not Saturday.  WTF??

A lot of people in this town have the mentality of "This is what I believe, therefore most everyone should believe the same."  Unless you're on one side or the other on the mormon-fence, than it's slightly different.  But still, if people ask me "Are you LDS?" and I say no, they sometimes follow it up with "Ok, what church do you go to in town?"  Um... I have yet to come up with a snappy response for this, so help me out people.

I try not to live a closed minded life.  I want to look at everything from all angles; religion, politics, culture, and make my own decision from there.  Is that so bad?  When I see something that amuses me, I'll crack a joke about it, but at the same time I'll respect your right to practice your own belief system.

In other words, my Mormon friends, just because I don't believe the things you do, and just because some of the things mentioned in your book make me really confused, it doesn't mean that I don't respect your family-centric values, and the good upright life you're trying to lead.

I just have one rule.  Don't press your beliefs on me, and don't belittle me because my practices don't align with yours.  I won't pressure you, and you don't pressure me.  Mutual respect... 

"Oh he doesn't believe what I do, therefore I MUST EDUCATE HIM!" doesn't work for me.  Especially when you're a naive girl in your low 20's who "felt soooo sorry for me" once she learned I was divorced.  Um, it was by choice sister... and it's a good thing.   I promise....

Or else I'll post something like this, just for the pleasure of getting under your skin.

By the way, none of this 'mutual respect' I am talking about applies to the members of the Westboro Baptist Church.  You people are just plain crazy....   Have a great Wednesday everyone!  

Edit:  Ok, within the course of an hour I have received a LOT of angry emails from people.  Apparently I'm allowed to poke fun of mormons all I want, but if I pick on some of the larger 'mainstream' religions I'm evil?

Yeah, that makes perfect sense.  About as much sense as someone who has read ANY of the New Testament using any sentence that starts with "God hates...."

I do not abhor religion.  I abhor the people that use religion as a shield, as a crutch, as an answer to all questions they don't know or refuse to learn about.

If you are praying that you get the job, I have news for you.  About half of the other applicants are probably doing the same thing.  This isn't 'Prayer Idol' with Ryan Seacrest tallying up the prayer-votes to see who wins.  If a higher power does indeed exist, he isn't making sure you brush your teeth every morning.  He didn't make you stub your toe on the chair.  He didn't make your car stall this morning.  

Your goldfish didn't die because God willed it, Timmy.  He died because you didn't feed him...

I admire a few things about religion.  It helped control society by giving people a set of rules to guide their life.  It teaches us to be good people.  It helped progress human culture in a lot of positive ways.  But there are a lot of bad things about religion too.  Wars, for example.  God is always on your side, yet, the other side believes the same thing.  Does God really want you to slaughter your fellow man?  And for what?  Oil?  Land?  Political power?  Really?

Substitute the word "God" for any higher deity.  No matter what you call Him, the principles stay the same.

Followers, I like you all.  But I don't like you because you are XYZ religion.  I like you for who you are as a person.  Does your belief system influence who you are?  Absolutely.  But your belief system isn't the definition of who you are.  In my eyes, you are not a Christian.  You are not a Muslim.  You are not an Atheist.  You are not a pastafarian.  You are a man.  You are a woman.  You are a friend.  If that is too much for you to fathom, I am sorry.