Joseph Smith Fraud

[Ben_Elohim_Yah]

If good people are living good lives, why take all the time and effort to disprove it?

Agreed, I mean i dont believe in the LDS teachings or any of there "Holy Documents" but if the LDS's find comfort and happiness in them so be it! They do not preach hate or violence so let them rejoice in there teachings and find comfort. Besides in the end the deciding factor will be how you lived your life and how you served the Spirit. Not what book you read from!

 

[Misty]

I don't think too many people, who aren't of the mormon faith, think Smith was a great guy, more of a charlatan.

 

[Terrywoodenpic]

I don't think too many people, who aren't of the mormon faith, think Smith was a great guy, more of a charlatan.

I have never had much reason to think a great deal about him.
Of course I have read the usual tracts on his life and work.
It is clear he had some unusual beliefs.
It is clear he was persecuted and murdered.
It is not clear that he was a charlatan, as all the evidence is from those attacking him.

The Church he reestablished is extraordinarily successful.
Its organisation is second to none ... in the way it teaches, organises its ministry, fund raises, and runs its missions and charities. It is probably the best organised and documented, Christian church of all time. It probably also has the best thought out and detailed view of the pre and afterlife.

Does any of this prove it is the one true religion ?.... Of course not.
No religion has yet proved that there is such a thing as "the one true Faith."

The world would be a poorer place with out the LDS.

 

[Misty]

I have never had much reason to think a great deal about him.
Of course I have read the usual tracts on his life and work.
It is clear he had some unusual beliefs.
It is clear he was persecuted and murdered.
It is not clear that he was a charlatan, as all the evidence is from those attacking him.

The Church he reestablished is extraordinarily successful.
Its organisation is second to none ... in the way it teaches, organises its ministry, fund raises, and runs its missions and charities. It is probably the best organised and documented, Christian church of all time. It probably also has the best thought out and detailed view of the pre and afterlife.

Does any of this prove it is the one true religion ?.... Of course not.
No religion has yet proved that there is such a thing as "the one true Faith."

The world would be a poorer place with out the LDS.

You reckon? I don't think much of their religion at all!

 

[sniper762]

the reason that so many disliked him in those days (and carries over today) is because he claimed something was missing from the mainstream religions and that he held the completion.

this was like a slap in the face to the general population. also, his charisma and the re-introduction of plural marriages lured many of the female population, thus creating jealousy among others.

 

[NeoSeeker]

There is nothing to be gained by attacking other faiths and beliefs, at the most, it shows ones own lack of charity , wisdom and strength of faith.

There is much to be gained by having an intelligent discussion and picking apart inconsistencies in established dogma that are held up as truth. The beginnings of the LDS church are even more suspect than Christianity so it's worth doing a little picking.

 

[Terrywoodenpic]

You reckon? I don't think much of their religion at all!

Nothing new then....

You don't seem to think much of any religion.

 

[Terrywoodenpic]

There is much to be gained by having an intelligent discussion and picking apart inconsistencies in established dogma that are held up as truth. The beginnings of the LDS church are even more suspect than Christianity so it's worth doing a little picking.

To what purpose ?
It is very unlikely to change either your or their beliefs.

As a Christian I have written off a majority of the books of Moses and the entire Book of Revelation as Myth or fantasy.
were I a LDS I would probably do the same for much of the BOM.

 

[NeoSeeker]

To what purpose ?
It is very unlikely to change either your or their beliefs.

As a Christian I have written off a majority of the books of Moses and the entire Book of Revelation as Myth or fantasy.
were I a LDS I would probably do the same for much of the BOM.

You have made a very good point regarding overall religious debate. It is mostly a waste of effort except maybe for those who are sitting on the fence or are willing to entertain different perspectives.

 

[no-body]

The world would be a poorer place with out the LDS.

Perhaps. I'd say any good they do is balanced out by their human rights violations.

 

[sniper762]

NO BOODY, please elaborate

 

[no-body]

NO BOODY, please elaborate

Supporting and funding bills that attack LGTB rights. More horrifying is their views on homosexuality itself and what it implies to any kids they have. The "ex gay movement" behavioral modification (torture) etc

Of course this isn't the fault of all Mormons but still a big eyesore in an otherwise nice religion.

 

[sniper762]

if they support the anti-gay agenda,, im with em

 

[Terrywoodenpic]

People are free to fund and support and vote for bills on any subject.
This include the LDS.

As a Liberal I support Gay rights.
But equally I support the freedom to take the opposite view.

You will however find that the LDS always obey the laws of the land, when they are established.

 

[sniper762]

as long as the law of the land dont contradict the law of god.

 

[no-body]

People are free to fund and support and vote for bills on any subject.
This include the LDS.

They are free to yes, but in turn they deserve to be scorned for wanting to violate civil and human rights.

If someone funded and supported a law to re-institute slavery and treat blacks like second class citizens again there wouldn't be a question about why people despise them.

if they support the anti-gay agenda,, im with em

 

[tumbleweed41]

as long as the law of the land dont contradict the law of god.

Read Leviticus and compaire to the 'Law of the Land'.

 

[Dezzie]

I question other beliefs and my own because I love truth.

You do understand that you most likely wont find that truth, correct? The Earth's History is so large that we could never really know every detail. Most of us may seek truth but it doesn't mean we will find it. We may never know truth after death either (especially if there is no afterlife and we just rot in the ground). Why love something that may never be seen? Plus, what makes you think that your belief is the truth? Is that what you love? Your own belief that it's the truth?

 

[Smoke]

They do not preach hate or violence

They certainly do preach hate.

if they support the anti-gay agenda,, im with em

If you choose to make yourself the enemy of people who have done you no harm, that's your decision -- and your moral failing.

But what we have learned from this thread, I suppose, is that it is considered impermissible to discuss the Book of Abraham on RF except from a Mormon point of view. Interesting information.

 

[Dan4reason]

Never said all were or were not. Of course not, nobody one group is all good or bad. For the most part, Mormons are hardworking, honest, good people.

Yes, like most groups. Does this mean they have the special ticket to not have their beliefs contested? No. I do not see how the honesty and goodness of mormons means that their ideas should be debated. Mormons themselves send out missionaries to convince others of their ideas so I can come out and point out a few of their inconsistencies. That is not the reason I debate mormonism. I debate mormonism for the same reason I debate any topic. Debating is fun.