I love old school anime. While this was interesting, I still find Mazinger Z more entertaining and easier to buy into IMHO. <object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/GKKshSa-qWA?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/GKKshSa-qWA?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object>
This cartoon is only a segment in an infamous Anti-Mormonism film: Max Jennings, editor of the National Conference of Christians and Jews (NCCJ), attended a showing in Mesa, Arizona that was sponsored by a group known as Concerned Christians, whose purpose was "to reach out in love to those lost in Mormonism".[citation needed] Jennings reported that "If what I saw Tuesday night is love, I must have had the wrong Sunday School lessons back in that dusty, west Texas Methodist Church of my childhood. I didn't hear anyone reaching out in love Tuesday night. I heard people reaching out in hatred of another's right to believe what he wants."[15] The NCCJ committee sent a letter to Concerned Christians on December 5, 1983 which stated, among other things, that, "The film does not fairly portray the Mormon Church, Mormon history, or Mormon belief. It makes extensive use of half-truths, faulty generalizations, sensationalism, and is not reflective of the true spirit of Mormon faith. We find particularly offensive the emphasis that Mormonism is some sort of subversive plot — a danger to the community, a threat to the institution of marriage, and destructive to the mental health of teenagers. We are of the opinion that the film relies heavily on appeals to fear, prejudice and unworthy human emotions.[16]" The film's creator has criticized the NCCJ for allegedly failing to contact Jeremiah Films, which produced The God Makers for the purpose of elucidating claimed errors and prevarications in the film.[17] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_God_Makers_(film)
Regarding these physiological or psychological benefits, prayer in almost every major religion has shown the same. I can't remember what it's called, but there's a name for the study of how spirituality affects brain patterns or something? Ignorance is bliss I think. If you believe it with your 'heart and mind' then your body will act accordingly. If you believe that praying is connecting you to God, then for all intents and purposes, your brain believes you are in some elevated state. I can see how positive thinking improves your physical condition - basically less stress makes you more healthy, and I think we all know that. I'm just nitpicking honestly and don't think we are really in disagreement. My spastic remarks are more related to a discussion I was having with a friend on how pharmaceutical companies have much to gain from a book like the secret since it makes that flowy and bubbly kind of happiness more desirable, when IMO real happiness is ultimately achieved when you believe you're doing the best you can do (multi-dimensional) to be the person you want to be (also multi-dimensional).
Thanks for this, repped. EDIT: You must spread some Reputation around before giving it to Rashmon again. Can someone direct me to where the rules for "repping" can be found? How much do I have to spread around in each case for example?
I think rocketsjudoka's comment said it nicely. My belief on top his comment - You can't live life off on just straight PURE framework. Or you might as well be microchipped, or be insects. I think we keep trying to shoehorn ourselves into these truthful factual utopian ideologies, when in actuality 1 million years can pass and we might still have MORE questions than answers about life. You can say its senseless to watch NBA Basketall or any sport. Common sense will tell you its just a bunch of individually functioning parts that think and move completely independently with their own goals in mind. And detached from what YOU or anyone thinks or wants them to do. Putting interest in home and visiting teams then is meaningless? Star Wars and Star Trek fanboys have their own self supporting culture. If they want to, Captain Kirk can be their methaphorical "God". As cultish as that is, maybe thats a better alternative to bitter hard truths about the world. (Its also my controversial belief that religion does as much to preserve humanity if not more than science, but that's a belief in progress and not tested out...)
Thanks for this background. I don't doubt that the film "The God Makers" is, indeed, and smear campaign designed to tarnish the reputation of the Mormon faith. Having said that, however, it seems that many of the "facts" about Mormonism presented by the animated segment (the film within the film, as it were) are being confirmed by some on this board. Which brings us back to the original question: which of the descriptions of the Mormon beliefs in this film are correct (if any)? Any Mormons here who would like to break it down for us?
"Common Sense" in many ways is a culturally relative term and the principles being illustrated might not be ones that are universal. For instance there is a Zen story about a boy wondering where a water buffalo is only to realize that he has been sitting on the water buffalo the whole time. The principal of the story, that enlightenment is often right under our noses, isn't a universal one especially when compared to deistic and ritualistic religions but is specific to Zen.
I am not Christian and I am not going to speak for most Christians how they view that passage but that doesn't mean there isn't an important principal in there to Christians. Regarding things like the immaculate conception and resurrection I will agree those seem highly unlikely but they are essential to the belief in the divinity of Jesus and redemption through him which in that case make them logical to the religious framework of Christianity. As I said earlier the specific beliefs may be illogical and even irrational but having spiritual beliefs in general isn't.
Thanks. I appreciate it and a good post too. That's a belief that might not be that controversial depending on what you consider "preserving". For most of human history religion has been inseparable from culture and even politics and science. In that sense religion has been the primary impetus for the creation of art and the recording of history (although often mythologized.)
Maybe they haven't changed their name because they think the word "Jazz" will appeal to black people?
I may be mistaken, but isn't Clutch a Mormon? Maybe he can shed some light on this topic? I know almost nothing about the religion, but I had a hard time believing most of what I saw in the OP's video.
Wait, so are you saying being a Christian and therefore believing in the Christian narrative of Jesus' immaculate conception and resurrection is illogical and even irrational?
Where is the outrage about this cartoon being mormophobic and misrepresenting the 99.9% reasonable and moderate mormons?
Like some on this board, I do not tend to overreact or obsess, hence, no outrage; however, I do find the film Mormophobic, slanderous, and misrepresentative of 99% of reasonable and moderate Mormons. The originator of the film, as I already pointed out, is a known hater of all that is Mormon. I am not a religious believer of any persuasion, but do not seek to disparage anyone's heartfelt belief.
So have you seen Mormons taking to the street, burning flags, burning down embassies, trying to murder the creator of the cartoon? Have you seen a Mormon (or self-described ex-Mormon) poster on this board "hope that the creator of the cartoon may live in fear for the rest of his life"? If not, why not?
I'm not going to go there with you and I doubt anyone else does either. My guess is that most posters have now taken a collective sigh and are resigned to the ATW anti-Muslim thread hijack.
You are misconstruing my words. I said having spiritual beliefs isn't illogical while I said specific beliefs, for example things that are clearly contradicted by other proof, might be but I didn't name those. In regard to the immaculate conception and resurrection I said it was highly unlikely but there is not absolute proof that it did or didn't happen. Also I know for a fact that there are Christians who do not believe that such events happened but see them metaphorically.
<a target='_blank' title='ImageShack - Image And Video Hosting' href='http://img696.imageshack.us/i/032mcn.jpg/'><img src='http://img696.imageshack.us/img696/1750/032mcn.jpg' border='0'/></a> be careful what you wish for!
