How do TBM view StayLDS?

[Anonymous]

Thanks for answering my question, M3GD. I appreciate it, seriously.

This probably is going to sound argumentative, but I just can’t think of a different way to say it, so please forgive me upfront. I really am not trying to argue; I really am still trying to understand.

Are you saying, essentially, that you see the truth clearly, that everyone who doesn’t see it the way you see it can’t find true joy and happiness until they see it like you do, and that your mission is to convince everyone of what you see and know so they can have the joy you have?

[Anonymous]

Yeah Ray, that is kind of what I was hearing – and the question I had too.

I’m still a little fuzzy on the whole “Jesus Christ is the best way” thought. Why? I mean, I think the gospel of Jesus Christ is a GREAT pathway, and it works for me, by why is the “the best way?” How does one “know” this? I don’t accept that “I know because the spirit told me so.” or “I just know it’s true.” That doesn’t work — if it did, then we would all be happy TBMs – since that is what most of them say, right?

Quote:

The reason I “insist” (respectfully, I hope) is because no other philosophy claims the redemption that Christ offers. Do other philosophies claim complete justification before God through faith in Someone who atoned for individual sins? Are other philosophies brazen enough to say that they are the ONLY “Way, Truth and Life”?

So what I hear (no disrespect meant M3GB) is a “christian” saying he “knows” his way of Christianity is the best and true — which is the EXACT same thing I hear every week at church, and many people who hear that, from a mormon, or a muslim, will yell foul – I do and I would – so I guess I’m having to call foul to you to M3GB. I’m not trying to be rude or disrespectful — just trying to understand your position and where you’re coming from, that’s all. I think many if not MOST if the religions in the world CLAIM to be the only “way, truth and life.” Seriously – what makes your statement above “true”? How do you know?

[Anonymous]

Cwald wrote:

Quote:

So what I hear (no disrespect meant M3GB) is a “christian” saying he “knows” his way of Christianity is the best and true — which is the EXACT same thing I hear every week at church

I do not claim to know anything. Here is a statement I made yesterday about knowing and believing:

Quote:

So I have made a decision. I choose to believe in the words of Christ found in the New Testament over the words that Joseph Smith said he got from God. I don’t know that I am right, but my confidence is very high and I believe it without doubting. I have made a decision about what I believe based on all the evidence that I have studied. It’s that simple for me, really. If forced to choose…I will bet on the NT.

I think we should each be very confident and convinced that “our way” is the best way to some degree. A healthy dose of respect for others right to believe as they do is also in order. But I think it is important to challenge each others’ thinking and test our beliefs as well. The idea that we should not try to influence others toward greater peace and joy and love is not very appealing to me. I am willing to be influenced and to influence- respectfully. I will not tell someone they are wrong or bad for believing what they do- but I will share something that I feel would bring them more peace or hope.

This goes without saying but yes, I do believe the there is a best way live this life. I don’t believe it is about religion or philosophy. I believe that there is a God and that Christ was truly God’s Son and the Good News is what we all need to be the happiest here in mortality. But the awesome thing is that because we are unique individuals- we will all live the Gospel in different ways and we can use our gifts to bless each other. But the core Christian beliefs are shared by all. I believe there is greater freedom, peace, joy and love in Christ than in any alternate philosophy. I don’t think a lot of the details are important:Trinity vs 3 separate, afterlife details, pre-existence, etc. God will give us great things because he IS love.

I hope each of you are equally convinced that your way is the best- life is too short to wonder and worry.

[Anonymous]

My3GirlsDad wrote:

But the core Christian beliefs are shared by all.

Quote:

That’s the sticky point. I’ve read your comments about grace, forgiveness, belief and see it as a version of Christian belief that may be shared by a part of reformation, evangelical groups but not by many other large faith traditions in Christianity. What about baptism or other sacraments. Necessary or not? In my adopted denomination the joke is that four people have five opinions about any given theological topic. And if you don’t share those core beliefs, then what? Lost, damned, of just different but still saved. Very confusing to me after all those years of assuming there was the truth, the way and the life and that angels above us were silent notes taking and one too many black marks made you an outsider. Sorry for the rambling but testimonies still make me a little uneasy, regardless who’s bearing them.

[Anonymous]

I think this is an interesting topic.

I always like being able to adopt the perspectives of other people and forget my own for a while.

I think True, True Blue Mormons would look at this site with disdain — as a place for doubters, questioners, people with negative attitudes toward the Church, and possibly as a pre-Apostate venue for active Mormons. They would look at many of the discussions as taking the first step, or ANOTHER step toward apostasy. Others might see it as a justification and strengthening of anti-Church attitudes when the advice of others doesn’t line up with traditional answers given at Church.

I personally see it as a positive place to go and air your concerns about the Church. Church is not a safe place to do it. The culture of obedience is too strong and you’ll end up ruining whatever reputation you have in the ward (if that matters to you). Also, we’ve had Bishops and Stake Presidents come down on Wards that venture too far into questioning during Church meetings since Church is a place you go to be strengthened. They do say that questionings, if necessary, should be done in private study, and I think this site qualifies as personal or, its near cousin small group study.

I’ve looked at postings at other TBM sites, and generally people with questioning attitudes toward the Church get stomped on, or someone makes a comment like “you poke and prod at doctrinal or structural issues that don’t matter”. One questioner’s question met with moderator hints such as “is there ANYTHING you find attractive about the Church???”.

What I like about this site is that you don’t get the standard trite responses to concerns. There is greater depth of thought and suggestions that go well beyond the surface. And I’ve noticed the tone has been kept constructive and rather positive and supportive, and not anti-Mormon.

My only concern with it is that it’s not as active as I’d like. I come here a lot and don’t find there is a lot of change from visit to visit, unlike some other forums. However, I expect this will change as the site gets more and more visitors.

Another thing I like is the LACK of this phenomenon — long time posters who dominate the forum. In two other forums I’ve been on, there are people with high postings who tend to shape the culture of the discussion forum, and they tend to go unfettered by the moderators. Someone posts a question and the high poster, looking at the post from only his or her narrow perspective will say “We already discussed that”. But to the new person posting the topic, it’s a fresh idea, and they want interaction, not to just look up what was said last time.

Also, I’ve noticed that in these other long-time forums, there is a group of high volume posters and moderators who support each other on certain issues, making a new poster who says something against the culture of the board feel like an outsider. I don’t see this here. Hopefully that never develops.

[Anonymous]

SilentDawning wrote:

Also, I’ve noticed that in these other long-time forums, there is a group of high volume posters and moderators who support each other on certain issues, making a new poster who says something against the culture of the board feel like an outsider. I don’t see this here. Hopefully that never develops.

I absolutely agree with all you said, SD. A few years ago I posted a bit on the MA&D board and was shocked at the meanness and personal attacks there…IF you didn’t tow the line with their culture. They made sarcastic jabs at anybody that questioned, and the moderation was hard-core. It really disappointed me that they would claim to be somewhat of the official scholarly forum website of the church, and have such an attack approach…VERY defensive!

I guess they are the modern day Danites?!

😆

[Anonymous]

SilentDawning wrote:

Someone posts a question and the high poster, looking at the post from only his or her narrow perspective will say “We already discussed that”. But to the new person posting the topic, it’s a fresh idea, and they want interaction, not to just look up what was said last time.

I have thought about this a lot. Often it’s better for some of us old timers to avoid jumping in too quickly with our seasoned responses. It’s good to let the discussions and the emotions stay fresh, even as we provide the perspective that, yes, there are alternate ways of seeing things, and there is spiritual growth ahead, etc. I would sorely miss the old posters if they were absent, but it’s the new posters that keep the forum relevant.

Tom

[Author]

Posts