Backroads

Doesn't strike me any different than other religious groups that put things up... I think I would just roll my eyes if I saw this. Mind you, I roll my eyes when I see any blatantly religious advertisement, even if I agree with it.

And I consider that feeling evidence! It's something more than saying "I believe it because the guy in church told me." Instead, I can say "I feel it's right. I have positive thoughts about it." It might not work for everyone as an argument, but hey, what can I do for them, you know? I remember being like 13 and getting in a fight with a girl who said I had no scientific evidence for my faith. I eventually asked her for scientific evidence in her beliefs (she was Wiccan). She said she did... and then proceeded to tell me about feelings she had and how she could sense the Goddess in nature. Nothing scientific, but when I pointed it out, she was more accepting of my beliefs. Immature of us, but that's what it came down to.

If it feels right and you are excited, go on the mission! Yes, you will miss your boyfriend; everyone in a relationship does.

It hardly sounds like you are rejecting the Holy Ghost here. That you have the passion and desire is a very good sign.

I practice Qi Gong for stress, and it does make me feel better. I'm a big believer in Eastern medicine. IAm, I would love to chat further with you on the bio-magnetic field.

Delayed Happy New Year! Spent it playing video games with the fiance before creeping out with the sisters and cousin to eat at Denny's and then waking up at six for snowshoeing. The latter is not a bad thing, but I sincerely believe in the early to bed/early to rise concept and staying up late is NOT good for me! But no, I'm young and engaged and therefore apparently have to party. But a good year to all of us!

I've long felt the need to violently defend one's beliefs is a sign of spiritual insecurity. Feel like defending it rationally? Go for it. I'm all for logical debate. I'm more against people making cheap pokes against the church or any other religion. I guess I'm very sensitive that way.

It's not?! And here I was spending all this time trying to work up the courage to ask for an autograph to be mailed to me and perhaps free Broadway tickets, but... well, now I have to come up with another reason to like you. Darn. I guess I can put up a photo, but Toothless is just so darn cute.

I demand, good fellow, that you defend the supposed superiority of APA or renounce such injustice!

I have never liked the idea that faith is completely blind. I can claim to have faith in pink leprechauns--doesn't mean they exist (And for those of you who do believe in pink leprechauns, I will be gracious to say admit that not enough evidence has been gleaned to entirely dismiss their existence.) When I have faith, I know at some degree that something does exist, is true. All the evidence in the world short of a concrete scientific discovery will not replace faith. That being said, it's not wrong to be skeptical, dubious, to take things with a grain of salt, if you will. The worst thing one can do in spiritual things is to believe something just because someone says so. If you have faith in something, you have reason for having that faith, be it tangible evidence or intangible. It might not be "evidence" per say, but it's something.

There's a fine line between needing evidence to prove divine revelation to be real and just looking for information to support what you already believe to be true. I see nothing wrong with getting excited over what FARMS and other organizations find. I think it's a little weird to be automatically assume whatever they say is false, though a little dubiousness is fine. I do have a problem with trying to prove the BoM while not believing in it.

IAm makes a lot of great points. I believe that God is no respecter of persons, male or female. Perhaps it's the feminist in me, but I do not think that the ultimate reasons behind who and who does not have the priesthood at any point in time as anything to do with one gender being above the other. Is it God's will? Is it church policy? Is it one of those things that has yet to be sorted out? I have no idea and I don't care and I don't see a reason to care. The posts of historical/doctrinal info have proved most interesting, thank-you.

Aloha!

You sound very open-minded! Great to meet you!

Aloha!!

Anyone else into any of these? What specific styles do you practice?

I'm laughing with you, pam, not at you.

How does Satan's deception work into the exact date of the birth of Christ? I think Satan's deception would come in when overreacting and basing a testimony on an exact date!

That old? Wow! Welcome!

Good friend just returned from serving in Australia... different mission though.

That's a fair thing to say. You can't get by on the church alone without having your own thoughts and experiences. Thanks for sharing.

May I ask where you served?

I love your positivity. Welcome!

Official greeting to Kurt. Eh, some religion sites really bug me. SOme are great, but you always seem to have those people who are so closed-minded.

Welcome! Late as we've already conversed, but I'll make it official. Love comparing faiths.