“Here’s what I think in a single sentence: I think that the real religion is about the understanding that if we can only still our egos for a few seconds, we might have a chance of experiencing something that is divine in nature. But in order to do that, we have to slice away at our egos and try to get them down to a manageable size, and then still work some practiced light meditation. So real religion is about reducing our egos, whereas all the churches are interested in is egotistical activities, like getting as many members and raising as much money and becoming as important and high-profile and influential as possible. All of which are egotistical attitudes. So how can you have an egotistical organization trying to teach a non-egotistical ideal? It makes no sense, unless you regard religion as crowd control. What I think most organized religion—simply crowd control.”
John Cleese, from his interview in The Onion
Archive for the 'Christianity' Category
While reading a New Order Mormon discussion recently I came upon a message that made me stop and think for a moment. The discussion concerned how to deal with family members’ rejection when one has decided to leave the church. A writer described her wish to renounce her LDS Church membership, but feared the rejection that would come from her “DNA Mormon” family. One person commented, “Its hard to believe that there are people who love the church more than their family, but maybe instead of love a better way to look at it is they are more afraid of the church than they are their family.” Continue reading ‘Rejection’
Here’s an analogy for you to consider–
Fundamentalist Mormon : Mormon :: Mormon : Christian
Just as Fundamentalist Mormosn often consider themselves to be the ‘real’ Mormons, Mormons often consider themselves to be the ‘real’ Christians. And yet, both are viewed by the group to which they aspire as outdated, strange, and even oppressive.
Of course, analogies break down. Where does this one fall apart?
Have all y’all seen Kristine Haglund Harris’s amazing Holy Week series over on BCC?
If not, get thee hence. Here is Kristine’s author page. Scroll down to Palm Sunday and read backwards.
Also, Russell Arben Fox shares the Tale of the Three Trees over on Times and Seasons.
Lynnette writes about the complex power of Good Friday over on Zelophehad’s Daughters.
This is the kind of stuff that makes me glad to be reading here.
Since calling for a Bloggernacle Fast for Peace, I’ve seen several different LDS responses to the political realities of international conflict. I believe that we all desire peace in our world, countries, neighborhoods, and families. We have diverse opinions as to how this may be achieved, or if it is even possible. But I believe that within each individual lie the seeds of peaceful resolution to conflict. I call upon you to join me tomorrow, Sunday, March 4th, in a vigil for world peace. I ask you to pray, fast, meditate, or send out positive thoughts regarding peace. As you do so, I hope you will be able to find more peace in your heart and your own little corner of the world.
In meditating this week upon my upcoming fast for peace, I read several articles that you may find of interest as you ponder upon peace. This Dialogue article makes a case for Mormon pacifism. Here is a more moderate piece about the complexities of Mormon thought on War and Peace. And this article is a discussion of Christian pacifism. I’d love to hear your comments about how this vigil for peace unfolded in your life.
This podcast is literally one of the best I’ve ever heard. It reviews a new documentary (discussed below), and works very hard to say, “You can keep your faith and belief in scripture/revelation, and still embrace your homosexual loved ones .” A true middle way for spiritual folk caught in the crossfire between organized religion and homosexuality. And the interview is set in Utah, so it stands within the Mormon context. Please listen if you can.
SALT LAKE CITY, UT (2007-01-24) If you’ve listened to a debate about homosexuality, chances are you’ve heard the word “abomination” quoted from the Bible. It’s in Leviticus Chapter 20, right after Moses teaches that it’s an abomination to eat shrimp or a rabbit. In the Sundance documentary For the Bible Tells Me So, director Daniel Karslake follows five very normal, very Christian American families who all had to reconcile their religion with learning they had a gay child. Doug talks to Karslake about homosexuality, biology and scripture through the prism of the family.
- You can see Sundance screenings of For the Bible Tells Me So Thursday, January 25th at 2:30 p.m. at the Library Center Theatre or Friday, January 26th at 11:30 p.m. at the Holiday Village Cinema II. For information on tickets, call 435-776-7878 or click here
- For more information on Mary Lou Wallner’s work, visit Teach-Ministries.org
This is a really great article, and a perfect one to end the year on as middle-way Mormons/semi-religious folk.
“Andrew Sullivan on the rise of fundamentalism and why embracing spiritual doubt is the key to defusing the tension between East and West.”
Check it out, return, and report. 
I sat in choir practice this morning pondering how slightly odd it seemed for me to go to the trouble to wake myself and the children up so early, to get to the chapel by 8am, to rehearse for a Christmas choir program–in spite of the fact that I don’t even really consider myself to be a literal believer in the traditional view of the atonement/resurrection, or even in the anthropomorphic nature of God.
Notwithstanding, I was absolutely in love with the experience. Sitting up in the stands w/ fellow ward members. Joking between songs. Singing about God and the Savior’s love. Pondering the teachings of Jesus, and his example/sacrifice for me. Feeling a deep sense of love, peace, and joy.
Recent Comments