Joseph Smith was a freemason and basically borrowed language and rituals he knew from freemasonry when he created Mormonism out of thin air. Freemasonry has been around since at least the 1300s and is not the worldwide evil cabal armchair conspiracy theorists say it is
OK thanks for clearing that up. It describes some of my ambivalence towards the CIA-looking suits that travel in pairs. I know Freemasons, as I know Christians, Jews and Muslims, Hare-Krishnas (LOL my cousin is one) and even some ultra-Christians such as the Jehovah's Witnesses who diligently appear on my doorstep (although some of their beliefs are pretty out there, and in my opinion (due to their exceptionalism) - their publisher is co-opted IMO).
Most of those religious peeps are good human beings, so I tend to bristle against the hate, from people who don't know what they are talking about. I believe, in that context, that all the various religions have been infiltrated and demonized, - for divide and rule purposes - so take a lot of the general antipathy against any sort of religion, with a whole handful of salt.
I also don't think it helps to harp on about people's favorite God, if he is different from one's own. But I am more sceptical of those who extol the vitrues of atheism. And incidentally, anyone advocating for death and genocide is an atheist - e.g. ISIS and such fake proxies - that group is NOT Muslim - it is only intended to stir up hatred. (Something, something, Thou shalt not kill. ) So I am more comfortable around people who actually have a God to talk to, no matter what they call him.
Also, my granddaughter (5) just started school at a Catholic school, and came home really upset, when a classmate told her God was not real. I pointed out that if we are all talking about him, then he must be real. but even my little golden girl is under pressure from this dirty business.
Erm. Explain the connection between Mormons and Freemasons again?
Joseph Smith was a freemason and basically borrowed language and rituals he knew from freemasonry when he created Mormonism out of thin air. Freemasonry has been around since at least the 1300s and is not the worldwide evil cabal armchair conspiracy theorists say it is
OK thanks for clearing that up. It describes some of my ambivalence towards the CIA-looking suits that travel in pairs. I know Freemasons, as I know Christians, Jews and Muslims, Hare-Krishnas (LOL my cousin is one) and even some ultra-Christians such as the Jehovah's Witnesses who diligently appear on my doorstep (although some of their beliefs are pretty out there, and in my opinion (due to their exceptionalism) - their publisher is co-opted IMO).
Most of those religious peeps are good human beings, so I tend to bristle against the hate, from people who don't know what they are talking about. I believe, in that context, that all the various religions have been infiltrated and demonized, - for divide and rule purposes - so take a lot of the general antipathy against any sort of religion, with a whole handful of salt.
I also don't think it helps to harp on about people's favorite God, if he is different from one's own. But I am more sceptical of those who extol the vitrues of atheism. And incidentally, anyone advocating for death and genocide is an atheist - e.g. ISIS and such fake proxies - that group is NOT Muslim - it is only intended to stir up hatred. (Something, something, Thou shalt not kill. ) So I am more comfortable around people who actually have a God to talk to, no matter what they call him.
Also, my granddaughter (5) just started school at a Catholic school, and came home really upset, when a classmate told her God was not real. I pointed out that if we are all talking about him, then he must be real. but even my little golden girl is under pressure from this dirty business.