Mormon Fundamentalism Often Leads To Atheism
Mormon Polygamy Often Leads to Atheism
Mormon fundamentalism’s worst enemy is not apostates, the devil, or government but free thought. If you study the Mormon temple endowment Satan is nothing more than a metaphor for free thought. It was Satan who cajoled Eve into partaking of the forbidden fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil. Immediately after taking a bite her mind was opened and she became like unto the gods knowing good and evil.
The Mormons teach that it was necessary to break a lesser law to obey a greater law (an interesting contradiction that is typical of religion) and that greater law is to multiply and replenish the earth. In that regard Eve ought to be eulogized as a heroine but instead she has been oppressed by Mormons and Christians alike.
The Christians have persecuted women because Eve allegedly introduced sin into the world. Mormon fundamentalists oppress women because their doctrines (D&C Section 132) indicate god wants it that way. All of these religious sentiments are of course hokum - nevertheless it was an excuse to retard the woman’s mind and confine her to the kitchen.
Religion can be both dictatorial and tyrannical. There is an adage among Mormons that says, "Once the Brethren have spoken the thinking has been done." The authoritarian religions like Catholicism, Islam and Mormonism would like you to think they are infallible and that eternal life can only be obtained through them. To reject their authority usually results in damnation, ostracization and in some cases even death.
Religious cults isolate themselves from mainstream society so they can control information. The more isolated the more bizarre the behavior as exemplified by the FLDS. For those who are converted to Mormon fundamentalism, once the novelty of having two or more wives wears off a man is apt to start thinking - and wondering - if all this crap is really true?
Questions come to mind, but the convert can’t go to his leaders for answers because to ask questions, the answers of which might call into question sacred beliefs, is taboo. So he seeks out answers in secrete and as the facts conflict with the so-called religious truths, he prepares for the day he will exit the cult - not an easy thing.
Some irresponsible men simply walk away leaving their family behind. More responsible men try to take their family with them.
What are some of the questions that lead to apostasy?
1. How come there is no archeological or genetic evidence that supports the Book of Mormon?
2. If polygamy is the restored gospel of Jesus Christ and is essential for exaltation, why does the historical record reveal that the early Christians equated both polygamy and incest as abominations?
3. A man can be a liar, thief and womanizer and because he received his endowment and priesthood blessings, will go to the celestial kingdom where as men like Abraham Lincoln, John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, who have done so much for mankind will be relegated to a lesser kingdom?
4. Which god is really God - the Muslim god, Baptist god, Catholic god, Jewish god, Mormon god, and so on....?
5. The pretense of infallibility? Many polygamist leaders are dishonest, compulsive liars, play favorites and grant special privileges for money. For example, a man who donates much may be rewarded with more wives and a high priesthood office. He may seat on the stand with the prophet and priesthood elite who pretend to control the salvation of the envious and on-lookers.
A significant proportion of men and women exiting Mormon fundamentalism are so disgusted with the deception, lying, wife and child abuse, crime and corruption that they no longer trust or want anything to do with organized religion.
1. How come there is no archaeological or genetic evidence that supports the Book of Mormon?
Answer: You cannot prove a negative. The absence of proof does not mean evidence doesn't exist, it only means none has been found that you accept.
What is or what is not evidence in these matters is purely subjective. You may say there is no archaeological evidence and I may say there is. Prove me wrong!
2. If polygamy is the restored gospel of Jesus Christ and is essential for exaltation, why does the historical record reveal that the early Christians equated both polygamy and incest as abominations?
Answer: The historical record does not reveal early Christians equated polygamy as an abomination. Incest is a different matter.
3. A man can be a liar, thief and womanizer and because he received his endowment and priesthood blessings, will go to the celestial kingdom where as men like Abraham Lincoln, John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, who have done so much for mankind will be relegated to a lesser kingdom?
Answer: The endowment does not protect a man or woman from God's judgment.
4. Which god is really God - the Muslim god, Baptist god, Catholic god, Jewish god, Mormon god, and so on....?
Answer: Man is the problem not who God is.
5. The pretense of infallibility? Many polygamist leaders are dishonest, compulsive liars, play favorites and grant special privileges for money. For example, a man who donates much may be rewarded with more wives and a high priesthood office. He may seat on the stand with the prophet and priesthood elite who pretend to control the salvation of the envious and on-lookers.
A significant proportion of men and women exiting Mormon fundamentalism are so disgusted with the deception, lying, wife and child abuse, crime and corruption that they no longer trust or want anything to do with organized religion.
Answer: Leaving organized religion is not the same as being an atheist.
Reply to this
The burden of proof is on the one making the claim. I don't have to prove you wrong because there is nothing to prove you right. "The absence of evidence is evidence of absence," (Victor J. Stenger)
Check out James, The Brother of Jesus by Robert Eisenmann. The Jerusalem Christian sect lead by James condemned polygamy and incest which was practice of Herod. Rodney Stark in The Rise of Christianity confirms the early Christians were opposed to polygamy. These two authors are respected historians and their conclusions are based on fact not revelation.
You are right when you say man is the problem. Man invented a god with all the attributes and foibles of man.
Not all people who leave organized religion become atheists. Like me they can become deists or skeptics. It depends upon how prone one is committed to do his own thinking. The "intelligent design" crowd have attempted to use acrobatic polemics to convince the true believer ID is scientific. But the ideas was falsified by the Pennsylvania court and reputable scientists. There are some good books on the subject, see: God, The Failed Hypothesis, How Science Shows That God Does Not Exist, by Victor J. Stenger.
I welcome intelligent, articulate polemics such as yours. If Mormon fundamentalism is a correct principle then it deserves defending. But after living the principle for over twenty years, investigating the crimes committed by so-called religious leaders and interviewing dozens of dissidents (victims) as an adviser to Tapestry Against Polygamy - and interviewing many witnesses in two major law suits against polygamist leaders - I have lost respect for Mormon fundamentalism as an institution. If you would like to know more of what I see wrong with Mormon fundamentalism check out: www.polygamyversuscommonsense.com.
Regards,
John
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John,
The burden of proof is on YOU by your own definition!
In your rhetorical question "1. How come there is no archaeological or genetic evidence that supports the Book of Mormon?" You are in fact stating there is NO proof, which proof is also your burden to carry. I don't want to get into "circular" logic here but this is where we started... you can't prove a negative, more precisely you can't prove what hasn't been found. It does not prove a certain unproven belief will not at some time have proof available.
The "Church" as headed by James and written by Eisenman was not a church of "Christians". They were a sub-sect of Judiasm. I took your challenge and read Eisenman's book. To say the least he has resorted to fancy and leaps of logic that the historical record does not recognize.
You may find fault with some of the men in Mormon Fundamentalism. I agree, but it is a fact that ALL male leaders in any organization are tempted to use their positions to their own advantage. This does not mean that what these men stand for in principle is necessarily incorrect.
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Actually, Anonymous, when it comes to civilizations, particularly in the time frame to which you refer, lack of evidence is pretty damning. There is no way that a civilization of the scope and numbers that Joseph Smith described in the BoM could have existed without leaving an impact on the rest of the continent. Words would be found, coins, signature methods for creating tools, all sorts of clues should be found. The fact that they haven't been found is fairly decisive evidence that the people of the Book of Mormon never existed. As an example, just one group of people from Polynesia made it to the coast of California (I believe I have those two right.) and left an imprint in words and the way boats were made in that location afterwards. However, no ONE reputable artifact, book, tablet, graveyard or even tool has EVER been found that backs up the BoM account of America's history. If those people existed in the numbers stated, there's no way they would have left no impact -- it's simply not rationally possible.
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Book of Mormon evidence is plentiful if it is looked for. Check out Wayne May and the various books and articles he has published.
There is more proof of the Book of Mormon civilizations then their is of Obama's citizenship or of Virginia Hill ever having that huge stash of dirty money.
John, why don't you post any of my comments? I know they won't help you sell any books but they are relevant to your wild accusations...
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