I had to sign up just to post to this thread. If there is one issue that will cause me to lose my faith, it might be this one. I DO think that my fellow LDS focus too much on the "wickedness of the world" and wallow on all of the doom and gloom, and fretting about how Satan is just around every corner. A couple of people suggest maybe the problem is not "wickedness," but our own individual attitudes, and they get all jumped on. The way I see it: God created all of us, and he created us out of love. He didn't create us out of love, only to turn around and feel disgust over 99% of us. THE WORLD IS NOT WICKED! I've lived across the world, and met people from many different cultures. One thing I learned is that we are all the same! Our languages and customs may be different, but deep down we all care for our families, we want to improve the world, we have fun being with loved ones, etc. The world is not getting worse, either. Just ask people of color, people with disabilities, etc. We've made great advancements in the way we treat others, and doesn't that carry more weight than casual swearing on tv? People notice how many more stories they see about rape and murder, etc, and conclude that it's on the rise. Did you stop to think that maybe you hear more about these stories because there are hundreds more media outlets than there used to be? More things are noticed and reported on than in times past? And before anyone jumps on me like they did the others, be careful before you pass judgment. I grew up in pure turmoil and chaos. My father spend my childhood in prison, and my mother died when I was 11. However, I, like the posters before, CHOOSE to FOCUS on the good in the world, instead of harping on the "wickedness" of it. I joined this church in my 20s because I felt the warmth and love within it, but now in these times (especially with politics), I feel like I joined a tribalistic, bunker-mentality fringe group. Members are running around predicting a zombie apocalypse if a certain person wins the presidency. It's so disconcerting! Yes, I choose to see the world as a wonderful place, but not because I've had a privileged life, but because that is my disposition. I wish our church would harvest that quality in others, too.
