Posts by Qcmbr

63

Ok so you left the idea of God - what would it take to come back?

by Qcmbr in

one point that has played many times on my mind (and is fairly central to my world view) is that if god exists its up to him to prove it.

what would it take for you to accept god?

starters for ten: .

Qcmbr

Six. I wasn't quoting it at you - merely agreeing that a little evidence would be nice and yet the very basis of christian faith (or at least the greater blessing according to this scripture) is not to actually have any.. ah what a funny world.

I've been reading lots of end of the world type sites (liek a good horror novel - goose bumps but obviously not all believable!) and it suggests that God would preach His sermon at the end of the world by natural disaters. Again maybe not enough agreeable evidence - I was wondering on the type of evidence you'd think acceptable (I don't know if religious belief went up or down after the tsunami in Indonesia..)

67

If God doesn't want brothers to have beards, why does it grow?

by JH in

jw
friends

.

men have facial hair and women don't, and that's god who decided that.. so why can't brothers have beards or goatees.

.

Qcmbr

EF -
That Mormon story isn't far off the mark actually!! The apostles where round at Joseph's house smoking and spitting tobacco, Emma Smith mentioned that this was pretty disgusting so Joseph enquired about that and received the Word of Wisdom revelation.

Holy underwear batman - yes I do wear it. Most of the time. Like I just said - its almost bedtime and if I play my cards right (and shave) I might be liberated from them for a minute or so....

67

If God doesn't want brothers to have beards, why does it grow?

by JH in

jw
friends

.

men have facial hair and women don't, and that's god who decided that.. so why can't brothers have beards or goatees.

.

Qcmbr

Hi LT - I'm not trying to wriggle!! Honest. We don't use wine because of our health code - the Word of Wisdom - we aren't allowed alcohol. As for grape juice - no particular reason. The sacrament is normally : White bread (no real symbolism - more to do with nut allergies - though white could equate to purity.) Water - as explained above. These can be substituted by 'anything' in the absence of bread or water (Maybe not Coca Cola....) The bread is torn not cut. Everyone who is worthy partakes once a week and renews their baptismal covenants (remember Jesus and take His name.) Back to beards - in my personal opinion I'm happy if 'you' just turn up at church - I'll deal with beards etc.. some other day. However for myself I do tow the party line because I want to. I am pretty well indoctrinated! I would like to think , if asked, I'd be willing to jump around naked with a bowl of Jello on my head shouting 'wibble' if it was required - hehehe. At the end of the day , Abraham was asked to do something far more bizarre and illogical. I also have one other overriding no beard concern - my wife - she hates my beard (..when she goes away that I throw away my razor.) Ahh - almost bed time - my Sabbath officially began 10 mins ago ...........yawn.

63

Ok so you left the idea of God - what would it take to come back?

by Qcmbr in

one point that has played many times on my mind (and is fairly central to my world view) is that if god exists its up to him to prove it.

what would it take for you to accept god?

starters for ten: .

Qcmbr

Six. I agree we are somewhat between a rock and a hard place don't you think...

John 20: 29 Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.

..so if you believe without proof you are more blessed yet proof is what we normally need before making a decision - I wouldn't buy a house on faith...

67

If God doesn't want brothers to have beards, why does it grow?

by JH in

jw
friends

.

men have facial hair and women don't, and that's god who decided that.. so why can't brothers have beards or goatees.

.

Qcmbr

Ahh maybe that might be an answer ! There are no ultimate rank and file in the LDS church - the Bishop may well be released and be the librarian while the librarian might become Bishop. I'm currently the Elder's Quorum President but my last calling was Ward Mission Leader, before that I was second counsellor in something etc.. (I've also been the stand by librarian - only the hymn book monitor is lower hehehe).

In all seriousness there isn't such a pronounced hierarchy as first observation might suggest - for example I can baptise, bless, administer the sacrament (bread and water), preach from the stand, run Sunday worship meetings, collect hymnbooks, bless a grave, baptise for the dead. Things I can't do - perform a marriage (need to be a Registrar in UK), seances, summon the dead or walk on water (only the Women's leaders can do that.)

67

If God doesn't want brothers to have beards, why does it grow?

by JH in

jw
friends

.

men have facial hair and women don't, and that's god who decided that.. so why can't brothers have beards or goatees.

.

Qcmbr

LT - at the end of the day God never said He'd check the cut of your cloth - or the length of your hair!

For me its part of my worship to dress up in smart clothes on the sabbath (my employer requires it during the week - Sunday I choose to because it is a special day for me) because its a day when I try to be different (I think reverence is a key to spirituality.) If the queen came over I'd likewise dress up to recognise her - I'd feel a bit ropey if I made more effort for her than for Him...

In the LDS church their is a uniform of sorts for Missionaries, Bishops, Presidents, Apostles etc.. the dress code is whatever is smartest in that culture (so reed skirts in Samoa lads!) also if you've read any other posts about the mormon temple there is a total dress code there - white clothing only inside the temple.
Baptism is recommended to be totally white.
Deacons passing the sacrament are recommended to wear white shirts and ties.

At the end of the day anyone whose crazy enough to become LDS has already given up their tea, coffee, fornication, booze, drugs, 10% income, Sundays. Facial hair and 'I Love The Devil' T-shirts at church are a fairly small sacrifice in comparison :)

13

THE KINGDOM OF GOD

by Terry in

if the idea was to promote the coming of god's kingdom by preaching about it----it isn't working.. two thousand years have produced little progress at all.. is this plan working or not?.

here is a logical absurdity.. if you know nothing about the kingdom of god you are not held guilty for disdaining it.

but, if you hear and reject it you are worthy of death.. therefore: (ready for this?

Qcmbr

Baptism for the dead:)

67

If God doesn't want brothers to have beards, why does it grow?

by JH in

jw
friends

.

men have facial hair and women don't, and that's god who decided that.. so why can't brothers have beards or goatees.

.

Qcmbr

LT : I think the answer to that may be another thread!

In my mind if you actually believe your religion it should affect everything you do - ie religion proposes to answer lifes unanswerables and to provide a guide to some goal. If you do actually believe then everything should be affected by that belief - if it isn't you are kinda saying I believe this far but no further. If a religion doesnt ask everything of its members its worth its potential is decreased by the degree that it doesn't try to influence - IMHO.

Example: (and a pretty crap one at that hehehe)

Everyone sits at the roulette table (life) with $100 (the sum of their efforts - probably a bit high for me) - each one places bets according to their belief in exchange for the chance to win the house. Most people watch and wisely cash in their chips and join ex religion forums. Other people place little bets all over the place to reduce their risk. Some hard core gamblers place all their chips on a single number - all or nothing (they have a hunch they are right.) The gamblers are believers and they bet their lives on the dream. The wheel is spun and its a one time spin and the final chips laid down. Anyone who didnt play cannot win the game(though they can spend their life on other things) but the weakest position to be in is to spread bet - even if you win you will only get a very small return - no if your going to bet on a single spin you have to bet the lot - or don't bet at all.

If your going to be a Catholic embrace it in all its finery, if your going to be a buddhist don't play at it keep practising till you can actually float, if your going to be an aethiest don't keep a crucifix in the house just in case vampires turn up, if your going to be a Mormon/JW shave that fuzz off(especially if your female)!

:)

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