EruditioSalvatus

Even in the 21st century books are being banned. The list of books includes: The Kite RunnerThe Great GatsbyTango Makes Threeand several others Full article

Wow, that has nothing to do with the national anthem. Try this section instead. Ironically, the 'hand over the heart' salute is relatively new; before then children and adults saluted the flag by giving the 'flag salute' or 'Bellamy salute.' The flag salute was abandoned in 1942 because it so closely resembled the the Roman salute and Nazi salute that people were using photos of children giving the salute in propaganda campaigns.

While the practice is codified in the United States Code Collection (36 U.S.C. § 301) it is not a criminal law and exists mostly as ad referendum. Besides, Obama wasn't the only one "disobeying" the rules

keep defining what can and cannot be done you'll end up with the latter-day saint Talmud

Hmm, nope. I don't see fig tree anywhere. I mentioned oak trees and mustard trees (though the latter really isn't a proper tree) but I don't see fig anywhere. Just to make sure, however, I looked over the portions of text I was using as reference: All quotes use the King James version, except for the Gospel of Thomas (editors Barnstone and Meyer edition), but a quick look over the other translations appear to use the same mustardey foliage.Incidentally, I'd personally remember mentioning figs because I used to have one outside my house when I was young. Once I ate so many as to be sick and have abstained from them ever since.

I think mustard plants get to be about average shoulder height, and like all things some species are larger and some are smaller. From a botanical perspective they're not even trees, but that makes for no marks against anyone; even Pluto isn't a planet anymore. Looking up "mustard tree" on Google, as you suggested, does give striking images of large trees. However closer inspection shows these trees to be Elm or Oak or some other large tree and indeed not a mustard plant. This further proves that every thing you find on Google isn't the truth and all of the truth (for those strong of stomach try looking up "sarah plain bikini," an amusing streak "battle pope," or a sinful mind "hell" on Google Maps) Personally I blame the pigeons and their poor eyesight. But as I said before, it was a parable or allegory and possibly was not meant to be 100% true or accurate. If that were the case the allegory would be something more along the lines of: "See this mustard seed? It's small and unobtrusive but can grow to become an industrious, rugged, and useful plant. Faith is like this life cycle, for faith begins small like the seed, but grows into a handy, useful organism. Faith helps make you industrious at all things, rugged against the hardships of the world, and useful for spreading the gospel. Just as the mustard plant yields seeds that are taken away, so will you spread seeds of faith in the Lord."

No but it could certainly puts anyone who believes in biblical infallibility between a rock and a hard place, lol. And remember, religious leaders were the ones who were most against the printing press

Just further proof that the infallible word of god is often muddled and doctored by mere men and their printing presses!

The United Kingdom (England ent al) is part of the European Union, but you are correct in saying the UK is not legally bound to accept the Euro. The UK along with Denmark and Sweden are member states of the EU but have opted out of the single currency. Anyway, a more international currency would help many of the problems plaguing the world economy. A group of nations rallying behind a single currency hasn't hindered the EU, it's economy is very strong and the Euro is worth more than the dollar.

The LDS church is like most religious institutions. it instills within their congregation a sense of duty and karmatic loyalty. God loves a working man, god blesses those who serve him, and so forth. There is actually a row in Israel because many seminaries are expressing the opinion to the young men that it is their duty to serve in the armed forces, which is no different than expressing the opinion that humanitarian works. It ends up that some people will do things suggested by the church because it's their (duty, obligation, ent al) and not choosing to do so lets them stray away from the holy infrastructure. After all, if god asked you to do something, you'd be daft not to, right?

God may preserve knowledge absolutely but he doesn't necessarily preserve information absolutely. The bible, and other holy works, might give information about god and plans and so forth, and even use quotes, but this information doesn't always translate into the knowledge of divinity or divine plans. Eh, one more way to look at things

This is quite possibly one of the most amusing threads i've ever read. So is every rendition and retranslation of the bible 100% accurate? Seems a bit out there, especially when the "easy to understand" versions leave out or amend tidbits. You've also got to think that the current, accepted bible is a book written (compiled, &c) by a denomination that most people think are wacky. And lets not stop at the Apocrypha; what about all the other religious texts scattered around the area? Are they the word of god? Someone certainly thought so!

The parable of the mustard seed. Matt 13: 31, 32; Mark 4: 31, 32; Luke 13: 19; Thomas 20 I'll give in to the idea that the mustard seed is the smallest seed (at least smallest available right then) but large as a tree... However, it is just a parable so probably not supposed to be accurate (adding to the mysticism of parable and increasing its cryptic, spooky nature). My personal favorite rendition is in A Bug's Life with the pebble and the great oak tree.

I'll settle for "the bible is written by men thus not perfect." I mean, not even jesus was perfect according to the scriptures.

Gone Away -The Offspring

Water of Love -Dire Straits

Heart of Glass -Blondie

Not really, look at most religions started or maintained by one person. Charismatic or persuasive leaders can amass thousands and send those thousands on holy wars, pilgrimages, and everything else.

Why do you have to be married to make it to A-eth level? What if you find the love of your life and she's not a member or dies before a sealing, are you just out of luck?

I'll take that as a 'yes' I don't really see there being much more to this conversation

Oh, I think lots of things I know to be wrong. Despite this I can easily keep ideas and seasoned facts separate (despite themselves sometimes). However, that's more a dodge than an answer. The bible says, rather plainly, that the earth does not move and sits on a foundation of pillars. Allegorical or literal?

I suppose it's as important as understanding, say, how fiber optics or medicines work -not really unless you want to increase your and the world's mantle of learning. So if the concept of genetics, evolution, and red delicious apples are out what about an immobile, flat earth?

If you believe Jacob from the bible DNA mutates when goats mate in front of white rods...

Don't worry, there's been thousands of people throughout history who hold on to ideas. Flat Earth society, earth centered solar system worshipers, believers that god causes birth defects, and so forth. Everyone is entitled to their opinion, but eventually everything changes.

If you don't believe in evolution take a glance at how staph bacteria has evol... developed resistances to antibacterial agents, such as penicillin, over the past 60 years.