Bini

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Posts posted by Bini

  1. I think the only time religion and politics is well received is when both parties are willing to hear the other side, and not correct or put down the other side. There can't possibly be a civil dialogue if one or both parties are wanting to spout their opinions and spit on each other.

     

    In my case, now an ex-Mormon, I tolerate degrees of religious discussion from family and some friends, just out of respect. I will rarely engage, which quickly fizzles the topic out, and just leads to a dead end conversation. I am not interested in debating religion or politics. I am not interested in changing my core beliefs and I am fine with them keeping theirs.

  2. I testify to you that miracles happen.

    I am a skeptic. I have seen many "almost" miracles that can be explained, but there are some that defy all explanation as I understand it.

    I build powerlines for a living. We were setting a new pole between two energized wires. It was pouring rain, and I mean everything was dripping wet. As we were positioning the pole it came in contact with one of the wires. One of the guys ran over to help and put his hands on the pole but mistakenly forgot to put on his rubber gloves. The bottom of the pole was about three feet off the ground. He should have been instantly burned, if not killed. He completed a path for 7200 volts to go to ground with his body by putting both his hands on the pole. We screamed at him to get back. He did and I can still see the look of shock on his face. Not only was he not hurt, he didn't even feel a thing.

    That was a miracle. I saw it. I was there, first hand. It wasn't a miracle of healing (those happen to) but is was most certainly a miracle. It cannot be explained. I've seen 7200 volts turn dirt into glass.

    A few years ago a friend of mine completed a path to ground while he was touching a building. 7200 volts went through him and blew a hole in the building where he was touching it with his hand. He was killed instantly.

    Other miracles of healing are too sacred to share.

    Miracles happen.

     

    I just don't believe in miracles. I believe something sets a chain of events off, and why it happened is sometimes blatantly obvious, and other times discreet. I also tend to believe that nothing is 100% certain or guaranteed, even if 99.9% of the time the expected outcome is X, there's a percentage chance that it could be Y (the so called 'miracle'). Again, expressing how I feel and not intending to convince anyone, I'm perfectly fine being the minority in this belief.

  3. I use the word 'miracle' from time to time but don't really believe in them. I do believe everything happens for a reason, as in, a chain of events sets things off in motion. I don't think everything that happens necessarily has 'meaning' though - sometimes things happen at the same time or occur similarly - but have no relation. Some things really are just coincidence.

  4. Sumiko, follow what your heart tells you. And by that, I mean the harmony and wholesomeness you feel inside, won't lead you astray. Saying this, your marital situation does place a damper on your membership within the Church, as in, your participation will be limited. As for feeling welcomed and accepted, you'll always find people that taste like vinegar, no matter where you go. So surround yourself by the positives and brush the negatives off your shoulder.

     

    Good luck! This forum is a great place to learn/re-learn about Mormonism. We are also a forum of many backgrounds, not all LDS, and with diverse views and opinions. 

  5. Politically, "nones" are ascending.  Some have felt disregarded, and are now pushing back.  There is no doubt but that the majority of non-religious are simply disinterested.  Why be angry at something that doesn't matter much?

    Politically, "nones" are ascending.  Some have felt disregarded, and are now pushing back.  There is no doubt but that the majority of non-religious are simply disinterested.  Why be angry at something that doesn't matter much?

    You must understand that for some, especially those born and raised into a faith, who later abandon their religion due to X, may feel deceived. I think this is how many ex-Mormons (maybe other Christians) feel. That's likely where the hard feelings come from.

  6. My experience as a Mormon (religious person) was that nones were more tolerant and less offended, in comparison to those of other organised religions or faiths. Like, I was always geared up to defend myself against the "none believers" but turned out that it was usually inactive members or those of other denominations that were quick to find fault within the church. So I guess my experience is different.

  7. Avengers: Age of Ultron

    It was okay. Not bad but not good. Just okay. I'd give it a 2/5. It just didn't satisfy me like the previous one. I might be being picky but I felt the movie never met a real high point and was on a constant overload of action packed BOOMS and KA POWS! I felt the movie sorely missed on telling the story and got carried away with special effects and fight sequences. (Though, CGI and fights executed well.) I didn't feel any real connection to any character this go around. Was ultimately disappointed with the "boss fight" and the ending was, meh, subpar.

  8. You say you cry over no reason. I think the correction is: there is plenty to cry over if what you say is true. I don't doubt you're dealing with some kind of depression due to your marital circumstances. And I don't doubt your husband also suffers from something that keeps him disconnected and uninterested. The saddest part, in my opinion, is the seemingly lack of nurture your husband has when it comes to the children he agreed to bring into this world. Indeed, how heart breaking.

    I would suggest opening up to someone who is unbiased and can help give some sound advice. Parents and or family is likely not the right outlet for this, though, they may mean well. Would you consider talking to a counselor and confiding your feelings and concerns? If your husband rejects couple counseling, at least, give it a shot yourself.

    Lastly, how does your husband respond when you dote on him? When you embrace him, kiss him, tell him you love him?

  9. ^

     

    My best friend is the easiest going person I know. By that I mean she accepts reality for what it is, and yet, continues to give and give and give. She is a giver by nature and finds joy in giving, even when others keep taking. I've known her since I was thirteen and I've seen her upset only a handful of times. She married a man that is aggressive, he speaks aggressively, his body language is intimidating, though all in all a good guy. That said, he is a taker. He is perfectly fine with my bestie taking on all the house chores, bills, and trying to juggle school, without him lifting a finger. My bestie is not bothered by taking on these responsibilities (so she says). She is eager to please and never has anything poorly to say about her husband. This might seem like a crazy dysfunctional marriage but they both say they're happy, even if responsibilities aren't balanced. I see their relationship as one spouse constantly giving and the other spouse constantly taking, and yet, they stay married and seem to be fond of each other. So personality and one's tolerance plays a part, too. I guess my point being, they don't particularly "work" at marriage, one is just happy to keep giving and one is just happy to keep taking, and they've been married for about 10 years now.

  10. Seriously, our laundry room is one of the biggest rooms in the house. Might as well have parties in there. I think it's one of the results of all the changes done to the house over the years: somehow magically with d up with tiny rooms and a giant laundry room.

     

    Our last house was like this. The laundry room was downstairs (basement actually) and was massive. Took up half the basement but was in its own room.

  11. Not really an either/or situation. I have frequently seen LDS bishops pay the rent for indigent single mothers--even (especially) for recovering drug addicts and the like.

     

    Goodness, can't believe people are actually pushing back on what I suggested. I mention shelters because this is what I choose to do first and items are used right away and don't go through a resell process like DI and Salvation, etc. Even surplus of hygienic/toiletries like feminine pads and whatnot are taken. So yes, I would recommend families that are cleaning house to call their local shelter or just turn up and see what they can drop off - items will be used by those there. 

  12. Why? DI is a multi-faceted charitable organization.

     

    I don't know all the dealings that DI and the like go through but I know women's/children's battered shelters take most anything useful. There is no reselling, it is used right away. So that is why.

  13. We have a decent sized washer/dryer room. I'm not a specialist on appliances but I've heard that the stackable ones don't perform as well. But if that's all the room you've got - you work with what you have. We got front loading and I prefer it because I'm so tiny, I can barely reach down into the barrel of top loading.

    Eowyn, I have become way more practical in gifts in the last 6 years since being married, so I'm totally with you! My hand vacuum was my favourite Xmas gift last year...

  14. In LDS perspective what is the difference between old prophets and new prophets? Do Mormons believe that Joseph Smith was the first prophet of God? Or, just one of many prophets of God, like Moses or Nephi (he was a prophet, right?)? I know that other Christian groups acknowledge old prophets in the Bible and was just wondering if LDS gospel sees them as other religious groups? Hope that all made sense.