“We are all God’s Children.” “We must not judge our brothers. God will be the ultimate judge.” “Love one another as God loves you.”
These were just a few of the words I heard growing up in a Catholic family. We went to church a minimum of two days a week, often times more.
When I became an adult, I began to have my doubts about the sincerity of the Church’s teachings, and the ‘fables’ we were supposed to believe. I looked at other religions, and found that they differed from Catholicism in doctrine, but mostly in very small ways. The biggest difference I discovered was that Catholicism ruled its followers through fear tactics, Jews taught guilt, and most protestants claimed to have “found the way”. Whatever that meant.
I knew little about the “Church of Latter Day Saints”, better known as the Mormons. I knew it was a very secretive, and a very wealthy organization, second only to Catholics. Then my brother became a member of the Mormon Church while in the Army, and stationed in Hawaii.
My knowledge of his new faith did not increase greatly. When he married, I was not allowed to be in the ‘inner sanctum’ of the temple, because I was not a ‘priest’. I didn’t like, and do not like, any organization that is that guarded. I have always believed that men who build temples and churches which cost multi-millions of dollars, and claim they are doing it for “God’s glory”, are full of hooey. If you’ve ever been to a forest, or a majestic beach, this is where God has his church. An edifice made by men is for men.
One thing all religions have in common is their control of their member’s minds. They all dictate to their followers what they should believe, what is right and wrong, and how they should act in public and private. Every religion acts as a cult. And every religion I know anything about is un-Christian, teaching the opposite meaning of what Christ supposedly taught.
Religions are anti-women, anti-gay, and many are racist.
The latest evidence strangely comes in a statement made by the Mormon hierarchy. It has to do with the decision by the Boy Scouts of America. The 100 plus year old organization decided a few days ago to allow openly gay young men to join, but not to allow openly gay men to be scout leaders. The Mormons made an announcement in favor of the decision.
The Boy Scouts’ Great Salt Lake Council is one of biggest in country, with 5,500 troops and 73,400 youth. Almost all of those troops are sponsored by the Mormon Church.
The Salt Lake City-based church said it is satisfied that the Boy Scouts of America has made a “thoughtful, good-faith effort to address issues that, as they have said, remain ‘among the most complex and challenging issues facing the BSA and society today.'”
It added the proposal recognizes that “Scouting exists to serve and benefit youth rather than Scout leaders, a single standard of moral purity for youth in the program, and a renewed emphasis for Scouts to honor their duty to God.”
The LDS church continues to teach its members that marriage can only be between a man and a woman, and homosexual relationships are a sin against God.
When man judges his fellow man, he is placing himself in the position of a God. And when a man has enough influence to control the minds of millions of men, women, and children, he is the leader of a cult.
I have always been thankful I grew up in Los Angeles in the 50’s and 60’s. I was not indoctrinated into the world of those who were racist or homophobic. If you were a good person, and I liked you, you were my friend, regardless of race, creed, or color. If I didn’t like you, it was only because I didn’t respect you.
I am not, nor ever will be religious. I have a free will. But, I am the most spiritual person I know other than my bride. I would fight for all living things. I would fight for all people to live as they choose, the way our Founding Fathers intended our country to be. I may not agree with your views on many issues, but I want to hear them, and consider their validity.
If you are truly religious, and not just a “go to church on Sundays because I have to”, person, you are practicing your beliefs. Please don’t take offense. I admire you, and your principals. But I have to be true to myself, and what 66 years on this planet have revealed to me. If you live according to the values you profess, you will surely be a happy person.
I’m happy, and I wish the same for all of you.
James Turnage
Columnist-The Guardian Express
Discover more from Guardian Liberty Voice
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
2 Responses
Mr. Turnage:
Thanks for your post… but I had to smile when you wrote that Mormons are secretive. We’re so secretive that we send missionaries all over the world to knock on doors and tell people all about it…
I think it’s also important to note that the name of the faith is The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. As for our beliefs, they were summed up well more than 170 years ago in what are known as the 13 Articles of Faith:
1.
We believe in God, the Eternal Father, and in His Son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost.
2.
We believe that men will be punished for their own sins, and not for Adam’s transgression.
3.
We believe that through the Atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel.
4.
We believe that the first principles and ordinances of the Gospel are: first, Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; second, Repentance; third, Baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; fourth, Laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost.
5.
We believe that a man must be called of God, by prophecy, and by the laying on of hands by those who are in authority, to preach the Gospel and administer in the ordinances thereof.
6.
We believe in the same organization that existed in the Primitive Church, namely, apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, evangelists, and so forth.
7.
We believe in the gift of tongues, prophecy, revelation, visions, healing, interpretation of tongues, and so forth.
8.
We believe the Bible to be the word of God as far as it is translated correctly; we also believe the Book of Mormon to be the word of God.
9.
We believe all that God has revealed, all that He does now reveal, and we believe that He will yet reveal many great and important things pertaining to the Kingdom of God.
10.
We believe in the literal gathering of Israel and in the restoration of the Ten Tribes; that Zion (the New Jerusalem) will be built upon the American continent; that Christ will reign personally upon the earth; and, that the earth will be renewed and receive its paradisiacal glory.
11.
We claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may.
12.
We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law.
13.
We believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in doing good to all men; indeed, we may say that we follow the admonition of Paul-We believe all things, we hope all things, we have endured many things, and hope to be able to endure all things. If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things.
Your article here makes you sound angry (and ironic, seeing that you are judging us). While we are not to judge, this doesn’t mean we can’t have opinions. Congratulating someone for trying to raise the bar of equality shouldn’t be seen as offensive. As I posted on Facebook earlier today, the BSA decision is a moot point for us, as we put ALL young men in Scouts, gay or straight. The fact that they still won’t let gay leaders in is also moot to us, we’ll call gay men to lead our troops, if the Lord inspires us to do so.
You should also know that we agree with you on the mountains ans beaches being temples. The first modern temple, for us, was the grove of trees the Lord reviled Himself and His Son. Jesus Christ, to Joseph Smith. You are welcome to enter this Holy Temple at any time, as covenants are not required of you. I also want to invite you to attend the temple building closest to you, as it looks like your brother did not. There are steps to become ready to make the covenants with the Lord to do so, but if you want to make them the Lord would love to see you there.
God Bless.