DON'T KNOW MUCH ABOUT RELIGION?

"Don't Know Much About Religion?" was a survey about religious knowledge, which surprised many: Atheists knew more than believers, and Jews and Mormons were way ahead of say... Catholics.

I was not surprised. The only interesting conversations I have about God is with Atheists and Mormons. Never with Christians.

The Atheists I speak with have thought about the question before coming to their conclusions. With those people I can have rational discussions. I am not afraid of sharing my faith with them, but there is an understanding that we are going to analyze the writings, the doctrines, and some other aspects. I find it very edifying.

Because I love learning about religion, I came to understand the Bible. I still have a lot to understand, and I never stop questioning and studying. I became a Mormon because of all the things I have read. Conversing with

Mormons, apart from some LDS Mormons, can also be very fulfilling, because we share a common knowledge.

My experience of conversing with Christians is simply frustrating. It is like talking about the state of the economy with a 3 year-old. Many of them just don't think. They have a set of core beliefs, it seems, that they cling to, because of their traditions and/or their lack of questioning.

With them it is all about a unknowable God, who is also a personal Jesus, who loves you no matter what, and shed his blood to save you. Most of the time, those I speak with, don't know the Bible, and very often do not even know their own doctrines, and what differentiates them from other Christian denominations.

And then come the Catholics...

I often ask myself who, in their right mind, can be Catholic? You just need to crack up a Bible, and learn basic facts of religion and history, to see they got it all wrong and made the whole thing up. And because they are flooded with their superstitions and traditions, they have no knowledge of God, so no wonder they came last in the survey. There is no progression with them, just an old established set of unscriptural and ungodly practices they abide to, just because.

I believe true religion is about knowledge and progression. It is not what you do to other people, even wonderful things you may do for other people; it is not a creed; it is not a passive approach to tradition; but it is an active scrutinizing of the Scriptures and all good books to find the Truth, and get to know the nature of God through pondering and spiritual insights.

B.H. ROBERTS' "THE TRUTH, THE WAY, THE LIFE"

What struck me in the introduction of this book was Roberts' belief that this world existed before Adam and Eve came to replenish the Earth. I was aware of this teaching, but Roberts was writing much after the Adam-God doctrine had been abandoned by the Church.

What was new to me, however, was his belief that plants, as well as animals, had been introduced in successive phases. Roberts thus explained "Evolution" and its missing links.

What I like about this system is that Roberts, like the early Brethren, did not reject Science, or any other field that offers knowledge. Instead -and I believe this is the true essence of Mormonism- Roberts tried to accommodate all the new "facts" of Science and Philosophy into his religion. What conflicted completely with the revealed word of God, he rejected, but not before trying to see if it could fit in his faith.

Therefore, Roberts did not take the Bible as the inherent Word of God. He saw the Word of God in the Bible, but this is not the same thing.

I have read about new research about bringing life to Mars, in different phases, that seem to parallel the Genesis account (or the Mormon interpretation of it). Indeed, the article published this year suggests it could be possible to create life on Mars, by taking plants, animals and finally humans over a long preparation period. I could not help thinking that this may be what the gods did with this Earth.

Finally, there was a chapter about his attitude towards women. He was not very progressive in that field, and this reminds me that those men are people with their own prejudices that do not reflect the mind of
God, but their own background. I believe this is also true when we deal with biblical prophets.

INDEPENDENT MORMON "FUNDAMENTALISTS" FORUM

Because Fundamental Mormonism seems to be the road I feel I am meant to follow, I wanted to contribute and decided to create the Independent Mormon “Fundamentalists” Forum.

"The Forum provides an online community for men and women, of all kinds and all climes, who aim to live a life incorporating the original teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith and the early brethren.

"We do not belong to the LDS Church or any organized Fundamentalist group. We obey the dictates of our own consciences and the promptings of the Spirit. Our beliefs and practices are as diverse as we are.

"Whether you are investigating the early teachings of Mormonism or come from a Fundamentalist background, we would love to hear from you!

"The Independent Mormon “Fundamentalists” Forum offers fellowship and support, enabling us all to progress together as individuals."

Check it out!