Comments for Tired Road Warrior

Comment on Does the LDS Church Have a Youth Crisis? by Main Street Plaza » Sunday in Outer Blogness: Where Have All the Mormons Gone? Edition!

Sun, 05 Feb 2012 16:52:23 +0000

[...] Some related news came out at nearly the same moment: John Dehlin released the results of his survey on why people leave the church — indicating that discovering hidden, less-faith-promoting information is a big factor. The Washington Post coincidentally discovered some similar news. This led many people to discuss whether the CoJCoL-dS ought to knock it off with the (counter-productive) white-washing. [...]

Comment on Container Home by KC

KC — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 03:42:39 +0000

My company is interested in getting more involved in this type of ventures

Comment on The Future of Mormon Theology by rogerdhansen

rogerdhansen — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 20:16:01 +0000

I’m not suggesting that we support any given scientific “theory” so much as I’m suggesting that Mormonism be in a position that it is anti-science. When half of the Mormon population doesn’t believe in evolution (and believe that Mormonism and evolution are incompatible), we have a problem. What happens when kids go to college and decide that there is something to evolution. Many, with a wide range of concerns including evolution, are leaving the Church. I think Church leaders must be more forthright in their science-compatibility stance.

Comment on Navajo “First Laugh” Ceremony by rogerdhansen

rogerdhansen — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 16:34:26 +0000

Apparently, there is a tradition that the first person who hears the “first laugh” is required to put on the celebration. So as a child nears the time when he/she is going to laugh, some relatives are a little anxious about seeing the baby. Putting on a first laugh celebration can be an expensive proposition.

Comment on Transhumanism, Immortality, and Prolonging Human Lives by Transhuman Gods | Go Fish Ministries, Inc

Transhuman Gods | Go Fish Ministries, Inc — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 21:18:46 +0000

[...] Transhumanism, Immortality, and Prolonging Human Lives (rogerdhansen.wordpress.com) [...]

Comment on The Future of Mormon Theology by Nathan

Nathan — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 01:09:19 +0000

I think that developing a theology that is “compatible” with science would be doing the gospel no favors. I’m not exactly a traditionalist when it comes to doctrine (I believe in the big bang, as well as planetary, organic and human evolution — though I admit these are theories and I don’t exactly have “testimonies” for these things). Science doesn’t necessarily change every so often, but about every 20 or 30 years or so there’s some great break through that takes us that much closer to understanding the world around us. If we create a theology that matches the science of today, we risk eventually becoming just another mythology, and perhaps even collapsing the faith of some who see modern theories either disproven or replaced to the extent that the theology is no longer compatible in the sense that we gave it in this harmonization. All and all, I think that the best thing to do is, not incorporate science heavily into the religion (until we are absolutely certain of such topics) but not stifle peoples’ scientific learning either. But, instead of pulling the science of today in and running the risk of out-dating ourselves, I think that science and the Church should continue to learn “grace for grace, line upon line, precept upon precept” separately and then compare notes unofficially on the way.

Comment on The Inequities with Tithing by Carl Youngblood

Carl Youngblood — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 22:15:00 +0000

Roger, why create such a narrow definition that doesn’t apply to the disparate circumstances of various governments and cultures? Why not just leave it to the discretion of the members to interpret what “10 percent of your increase” means? What benefits would there be? When I lived in Utah, my effective tax rate after all deductions was about 12%, whereas here in Norway my effective tax rate is about 40%. I would prefer to be given the discretion and responsibility of handling tithing according to the various circumstances I find myself in, not having every trifle dictated to me.

Comment on “Losing Faith” by roger hansen

roger hansen — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 17:39:37 +0000

Silly was a poor choice of words for Merris’s statement. But I stand by “silly” for Faulconer’s comment. My point in relation to Merris’s statement is that for may dissatisfied Mormons staying in the Church is a valiable option. People stay in the Church for a variety reasons including family, socialization, family heritage, like some of the doctrine, etc. And many find that Mormonism is the best option they have. For these individuals, trying to change the church can be frustrating but it is possible. If enough frustrated Mormon voice their opinion, then it has been demonstrated that institutional change is possible (but probably slow).

I think being a Jack Mormon or “cafeteria” Mormon is a defensible position to have.

Comment on “Losing Faith” by susan

susan — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 16:06:51 +0000

I do not find Merris statements to be silly. Some people don’t adapt well to change, can’t be a fence sitter, or pick and choose. Hopefully the following analogy makes sense:

Alcoholism. I have been lucky enough to have not had this vice in life. But from what I understand, those who are true alcoholics and wish to change must TOTALLY leave its grips. They have to literally find a different life, friends, and make the difficult commitment to never touch a drop of alcohol again, or risk return to their old ways. For some, it is their only way out of a dreaded disease. It’s a clean break. All or nothing.

Don’t you think that it could be the same for some who are part of an organized religion and decide that they must leave it? It has been so much a part of their lives, friends, family, co-workers, neighbors, etc., that they have no choice, if they truly want to leave, but to make a clean break. It’s the only way to move on, start anew, have a chance at another way of life. It doesn’t mean they give up service or those things that were of importance to them in their “previous” life. It just is the only way of coping because they’ve made such a dramatic switch, from a god-fearing Christian in an organized church, to an Agnostic/Atheist and/or other form of organization that is different.

Comment on Anti-Science Beliefs and Religion by Main Street Plaza » Last Call for 2011 Brodies Nominations!!

Main Street Plaza » Last Call for 2011 Brodies Nominations!! — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 19:32:20 +0000

[...] Anti-Science Beliefs and Religion – Roger Hansen [...]