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Praetorian_Brow

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  3. "Beware of Satan," they say.

    in General Discussion

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    From my experience, personifying the extremes of behaviour brings a great deal of comfort to our human condition. Unfortunately, we also attempt to excuse our own behaviour or lessen its effects upon our responsibility by justifying through such titles as, Satan tempted me or it was a trial that has been thrust upon me. I detest such thoughts as it detracts from our purpose and in my esteemed opinion lessens the purpose of this life.

    I find it strangely fascinating when everthing that is considered abhorrent is declared the work of an elder brother. I am of the opinion that who we scapegoat is probably not the instigator. I know I have a selfish desire to place blame on anything but myself and I am well aware its an universal trait. The connotation of is that we can judge a situation using our Hitchhikers Guide and then throw moderation out the window in favour of extremist declarations, rather than recognizing our inherent nature to learn by mistake.

    By declaring our circumstances as a trial, it encourages the mistaken idea that our present circumstances, whether arbitary or chosen, is a grand construct and smacks of the elitist idea that I have had this world and all the people made for me.

    Faith is not an absolute and we are reminded of this in Ether 12:27, even if the accepted interpretation differs from my own. This verse encourages us to recognize the inherent flaws in our natures and this mortal existence. By voicing said flaws to ourselves and the object of our faith, we are reminded that we can become more progessive than we already are. By prayer, we are declaring our faith to ourselves, reinforcing our goals, expressing noble traits on the behalf of others and building a habitual mindset that prevents selfish irrationality.

    Desperate absolutism leads to zealotry and I fear that is the a most grievous threat to our culture and organized church.