HEthePrimate

What a stupid story. I mean ok, the professor was acting stupidly, but does that give the Marine the right to commit assault on him? That would seem to fly in the face of his military training, anyway. And yes, that IS in fact one of the things our troops are protecting, our right to express ourselves, even if what we say is stupid. Finally, what does being a member of the ACLU have to do with anything?I rather doubt the story is true. HEP

Wandy,I'm sorry about your diagnosis of cancer. About your question, I wouldn't worry about what "kingdom" you might be going to (I know, easier said than done). You've repented, God loves you, and He'll take care of you. The older I get the more I suspect that the whole "Three Kingdoms" thing is metaphorical anyway, a way of saying that there is a place for everyone in God's Kingdom (except those who choose not to live there--the sons of perdition). Think in terms of "In my father's house are many mansions... " (John 14:2). Some LDS have turned the whole concept of the three kingdoms on its head and now claim that anything other than being "exalted in the Celestial Kingdom" will be hellish. What a load of baloney! They are kingdoms of glory, after all! The Lord loves you, and will do everything in his power to see that you are happy. HEP

Every girl is a princess! (See Frances Hodgson Burnett's A Little Princess.) Though I commend her for standing up for her beliefs, I think it would be a bit of an exaggeration to say she's some sort of hero or martyr for the cause--it's a beauty pageant, for heaven's sake! HEP

None of us keeps the commandments perfectly. Most of us are not even close! Which is why I am grateful that Jesus is gracious enough to take me under his wing.HEP

Howdy, Lost One! I'll take the "childlike quality" thing as a compliment--I like children! My mother's Dutch. I used to think she was not so "stiff upper lip," but a recent incident may have convinced me otherwise. She was sick but didn't get treated, thinking she'd be ok, and ended up going to the hospital. Even then she only told one person she was going to the hospital (so they'd take care of her cats!), not wanting to make a big deal of it. I was worried sick wondering what happened to her, until I tracked her down and found out she was all right. Argh! I served my mission in France. Most of the people who let us in were not terribly interested in religion, but did want to talk with Americans! (The Africans living in France were the most likely ones to be interested in religion.) There are cultural differences, to be sure, but you are right that underneath it all, we're all made of the same stuff. Peace, HEP

Oh, gimme a break! Even if Obama established world peace and ended hunger, you guys would find fault. Sure he's not perfect and may have made some mistakes, but he's not any more error-prone than other presidents, and a GREAT improvement over the last one! Given the circumstances, I think he's doing a pretty decent job in a tough situation. HEP

Yes, I saw a news video about the sound that teens can hear and adults supposedly can't. However, I could hear it quite clearly, and I'm easily old enough to be their parent! Had to laugh that people were thinking of using it as a means of keeping teens from gathering at certain places. HEP

Just talked to my mom. She said they had rain mixed with snow today (though fortunately it just melted). I expect it's headed my way, but I'll enjoy the warmth and sun while I can. :) Peace. HEP

Are "harsh interrogation techniques" necessary? A Top Interrogator Who's Against Torture

1) Job Opportunities c) Women and men have about the same job opportunities You said "fewer," and I think there are lots of jobs out there for women. However, those jobs may not be as "good" in terms of power, influence, pay, etc., though. 2) Employment Wages a) Women receive significantly less pay than men do 3) Interest Opportunities c) Women are accepted in interest groups about as often as men are 4) Political Opportunities a) Women have significantly fewer political opportunities than men 5) Representation in Higher Education d) Women are slightly overrepresented in higher education There are more women than men in undergraduate programs, but I don't know about women doing graduate or post-graduate work. 6) Educational Opportunities c) Women and men have about the same educational opportunities 7) Religious Authority Opportunities a) Women have significantly fewer opportunities to be a religious authority than men 8) Sexualization in Media e) Women are significantly more sexualized in the media than men Though it might depend on how you define sexualization. Women in the media are expected to be good-looking. Men are expected to be rich. 9) Health d) Women are slightly more healthy than men More girl babies survive their infancy, and women have a longer lifespan than men. 10) Feminism e) Feminism is largely effective at guaranteeing equality for women While it doesn't absolutely guarantee equality for women, feminism has done a great deal in furthering women's rights. 11) Military Service b) Women are slightly less accepted in the military than men 12) Representation in Authority a) Women are significantly underrepresented in authority positions 13) What best represents the basis for your opinions on the position of women in American culture a) Word of mouth/popular opinion b) Political activists c) Scientific journals/polls d) Personal experience Gosh, do have to pick just ONE? Not being a woman, I cannot say (d), but the other three all apply. What is your sex? Not enough? (Just kidding! (Sorta) ) - Male Do you consider yourself a feminist? Yes

Sunny, unseasonably warm (mid-80s), with some wind. :) It was like this yesterday, and is expected to continue the next couple of days. What a nice change after all the cold and rain, though I hope this doesn't mean an ultra-hot summer. Peace and sunny thoughts, everybody! HEP

How on earth is it "Orwellian," even "faintly?"Dictionary definition: This has nothing whatsoever to do with a totalitarian state. Rather the opposite--it has to do with individual choice as to what we believe. It seems to me that you are also assuming that the scriptures are historical fact, and that history accurately represents objective reality. Both history and scriptures are written by humans, who are prone to err, and I'm not convinced the scriptures were even meant to be historical in nature. HEP

I can't speak for Snow, but I can throw in my $0.02 worth (darn it, why don't they have the 'cents' sign on keyboards like they used to have on typewriters?!?). I'll go back to what I said earlier in this thread--Moroni 7:3-17. These verses tell us exactly how we can tell what's right and what's wrong, like night from day. It's interesting to me that in the first few verses he says that he judges them to be true Christians specifically because of their "peaceable walk with the children of men." This makes it especially pertinent to this thread, I think. How can we know if something is irrational or contradictory? Study logic and critical thinking. How can we know if it's unscientific? Study science. How can we know if it's moral? Study ethics, study the scriptures, pray, and follow Jesus' teachings and example. HEP

I couldn't agree with you more! Thank you, Snow, for articulating so well what I was having difficulty saying. As you point out, there are human errors in the scriptures--heck, the Book of Mormon prophets even apologize for them--but that doesn't mean we should just ignore the scriptures, for God has a way of communicating and dealing with people despite our frailties. (Actually, that's a tremendously comforting thought.) Thanks again!HEP

Although I disagree with Miss California about gay marriage, I do admire her for standing up for her beliefs. It's shameful, IMO, that it should cost her the crown and that some people are giving her such a hard time over it. In fact, I don't think they should have asked such a political question at all at the Miss USA pageant--just leave politics out of it! In any case, why can't people disagree without being disagreeable about it? HEP

Well, if it's any comfort to you, out here in my part of "the mission field," most LDS seem to be against the things you mentioned. Of course, they pride themselves on being better Mormons that the Utah Mormons (rolling my eyes--they're full of it!).I have heard no one talking about the government taking over the auto industry, just about giving it money so it doesn't go under. I have heard talk of the government temporarily taking over the banks they're bailing out, by buying the majority of stock, and then when the banks are back on their feet they can buy back the government's stock and be independent again. And as for health care, government interference might actually do some good. The private sector isn't exactly doing a great job in the U.S., and universal health care seems to work pretty well for various other countries. (Yes, I know I'll catch flak for saying so! ) I suspect this is true, that a lot of people are just giving up. It's really sad when people give up on the democratic process, isn't it? I think LDS people in general have never been very big on protesting, whatever the issue might be.It is troubling to see people not participate. Even when I disagree with people, and even though I do agree with much that Obama is doing, it is sad when people just give up. Peace. HEP

My friend, please do not blame yourself for your depression. That will only make it worse. As for having used drugs as a teen, have you heard of "dual diagnosis?" Ask your doctor about it, but it's when a person has both drug addiction and another mental illness (like depression). It's quite possible that you used drugs as a coping mechanism for dealing with depression, in order to feel better. In any case, whatever caused the depression, it's no use beating yourself up over it.Just FYI, physical disabilities can lead people to depression, too. Being paralyzed or blind can really suck, so it only makes sense a person could become depressed, even if their brain chemistry is normal. However, you are right that depression is less understood. Some people, due to their ignorance, think there's no reason for a person to be depressed if they do not have any obvious physical problems. That's really sad because they sometimes say some pretty hurtful things to those who have a mental illness. Such is the stigma. I wish you the best--please see a doctor (or keep seeing them if you already are). They often CAN help, and you can have a better life. (((Peace))) HEP P.S. Oh, and also contact your local chapter of the National Association of the Mentally Ill (NAMI). They can give you some great support, information, and connect you to resources.

You know, Kate, I understand where you're coming from! When I was a child, I also had great difficulty relating to other children, and actually got along better with grownups. Even today, though I really love children, I don't know quite what to say to them, how to play with them, etc., until they reach a certain age and can carry on the type of conversation I am used to. Thankfully, however, that seems to be changing a bit--I've been feeling more comfortable with kids recently and better able to talk with them. Had a great time at dinner yesterday after church with some friends and their kids! :)Don't worry--I'm sure you'll do great! HEP

Is it so hard to believe that the "unjustified self-defense" was not later removed? You believe what he said, after all--why wouldn't Moroni, et al.? No, you should use your own brain, think the issues through, examine your conscience, and pray about it. You guessed right--I am saying that "I don't disbelieve in the prophets." However, I do believe that in addition to being prophets, they are also humans, and subject to error just like the rest of us. If you don't believe the prophets are error-prone, you either haven't read, or don't believe, the scriptures. We LDS need to get over our "prophet worship" and accept them for who they are--people who occasionally receive messages from God to convey to people and inspiration in leading the Church. Heck, the prophets themselves have said that we need to pray about everything they say to see if it really is from God, not just blindly accept it. The surest way to be sure you're doing the right thing is follow the advice of the prophets and pray--have direct communication with God yourself. No, it doesn't mean the scriptures are "wholly unreliable." It means they are not any more perfect than the people who wrote them. The scriptures are of great value.You talk about picking-and-choosing. News bulletin: Everybody picks and chooses what they believe from the scriptures! With all the contradictions and problems in the scriptures, you kinda have to. If believing that God does not order people to commit murder or genocide is heresy, then I proudly claim the title "heretic." And here Christians and even LDS have the nerve to talk about crazy Muslim fundamentalists who believe in killing for religion... HEP

I don't think the President has any problem with the religious symbol. It was a matter of presentation with flags and all that: Maybe it was unwise given how the press would likely (and did) cover it, but hardly an expression of disdain for religion. Obama is a Christian, after all--why would he dislike Christian symbols? HEP

True, they weren't expecting him to preach about Jesus. Still, the article was about the IHS symbol being covered up (along with all other symbols) on the stage behind Obama, with the implied criticism that this makes him un-Christian/not Christian enough/whatever. So yes, I think what I said has something to do with the article! What's the deal with making such a mountain out of a molehill, anyway?HEP

Oh, and also, the motto underneath the mandrill reads "Rideamus" -- "Let us Laugh" in Latin. Laughter is the best medicine. It's healthy for us, and also I think we sometimes take ourselves too seriously, so the ability to laugh at ourselves and the issues is a good thing. HEP

Though he's not perfect and I don't expect to see him walk on water, I do like Obama, and like you, am glad to have him as President. :)HEP

Jesus is also missing from the United States Constitution... Obama is the President of the U.S., not the President of the Church--I don't expect him to preach about Jesus. HEP

It's quite possible that the current system for paying for health care, using insurance companies and HMOs, actually restricts consumer choice more than a system with government oversight would (depending on how it's run). The only way to have complete control over one's health care is both to pay for it oneself and to have no regulation of the health care industry (such as no FDA, etc.). For the first to happen, we'd all have to be rich, and the second part would be downright dangerous. HEP