Quote:
Quote:
Religion does not involve brainwashing, Rosie. Not our religion, anyway.
Our God is a God of love. This is a truth that you are free to accept or reject. Even accepting this truth, you are free to act on it, or not. The consequences for your actions are your own, and a result of your OWN choices.
Nobody is or should be using psychological pressure of trickery to take away your God-given right to make up your own mind.
Again: when i pointed this out, take it in context with other failings of mainstream society: MTV, breastimplants, nosejobs, gang violence all dis-validate the claims of CPS that they have a better life on offer for these children.
That brainwashing is also wrong when done by church leaders (pure of intention or otherwise) remains unchanged, but that was not what i was saying.
As for attrocities of the far past:
People in general used to be illiterate, die at 40 and have no teeth after the age of 25... that things were a certain way in the past does not mean they have to be that way forever, or that we should follow by example.
|
To me its a slippery slope once we say we allow other people the freedom to do what they wish and then condemn them accordingly and try to usurp our views on another. We should not assume because a few are unhappy in that life that all are. Or that pulling them out and saving them.
|
Religion can be brainwashing in a manner of speaking. You are cleansing your mind and renewing it. Your will is being turned over to the Will of Heavenly Father -correct? People ride on every word that the church leaders speak.
I believe as you, that except for some rogue entities that arise within the church from time to time we are free to accept or reject. There is not a lot of pressure at this time on members. Although I'm sure there are many outside of our church who would disagree. For example: What happens if people are not faithful to the gospel? They can be excommunicated and lose the priviledge of living with their families in eternity with H.F. They could lose other blessings too. Part of being faithful is respecting the authority placed over us.
I can think of many groups who think that the LDS are being brainwashed and controlled. Look at the measures people have gone through, especially in the early church to destroy it. All with the intent of "saving" the members from a greater evil. I'm concerned about standing in judgement of another people who may be exercising their free agency to believe as they feel right. There have been such strong feelings expressed on this board against this group. I find it troubling. This whole matter appears to be started on the basis of a hoax and on the previous guilt of some members. Should this mean that all members should be removed everytime a leader does something bad? (there's another topic on this).
We are in full agreement that there are other crimes just as evil or more so. But these are not called out and is a failure.
I just hope that people consider the ramifications that going after this group may have.