Trip Around the Sun
52
of 52 – The Mormons – with me as “Investigator.”
Have
traveled 584,337,600 miles.
The distance around
the Sun – if we use a radius halfway between perigee and apogee and assume a circular
path, is about 584,000,000 miles. That’s how far we have all traveled this
year. This is actually a small part of our total travel for the year. It
assumes the Sun is standing still. Our “real” travel has been a thousand times
further – as we travel through the galaxy with our Sun. And then
too, we travel with our galaxy, the Milky Way in some path through the
universe. And to think – an individual from the class mammalia
of the great phylum cordata - made it all.
We’ll travel so far
again next year, Allah willing.
Some do not enjoy
the humorous tool of sarcasm. I can understand that. Others do enjoy that – and
I have tried to distribute methods with some equality.
Here is a
non-sarcastic equivalent:
“We have far too
much confidence in our ability to know ultimate truths.”
Regarding Entrance to medical school:
So in the end, it accepted a small concession from Dini, who had agreed to drop his demand that students
"affirm" their personal belief in evolution while continuing to
insist that they be able to "explain" Darwin's theory.
Response:
That's good. We ought not to dictate beliefs - but we should expect
understanding.
People who want to discuss evolution with me just have to name the five main
classes of cordata - then we're on our way, and their
opinions have some right to exist.
We have justification to resent it when people who know nothing about a subject
still want their opinions given weight.
I had written with
respect to Islam and Judaism:
Gathering together as "The Chosen People" is quite a non
free-religion statement.
Neither side over there is objective. Both sides think they are the ones God
has selected.
Now I also have a background, as you have come from Judaism - I come from the
Mormons. They also think they are the only ones who can do God’s official work.
They believe only their ordinances are honored by God. Nobody else has any
"authority." By Mormon belief, even Jews do not have authority to
perform religious ordinances and have them honored by God. For example, if a
Baptist performs a baptism, the baptism does not count. No matter what promises
the baptized person makes, God does not make His promises back – there is no
covenant. The man can accept Jesus Christ with all his heart – but the baptism
has no effectiveness until it is done over by a Mormon. The man has promised –
but God will not.
Loving a non-provable God is one thing - not always bad – and can be a very
good thing in people’s lives - but thinking one’s race or religion is chosen by
Him - that's seriously sick. I don't care if it's a Muslim or a Jew or a Mormon
or a Jehovah’s Witness or whatever.
My Jewish Friend has Responded:
Judaism will state
that its law & strictures are only intended for Jews. Non-Jews are
"required" (according to Jews) only to observe seven of the 613
commandments that Jews derive from the Pentateuch via the traditional exegesis.
These seven are mostly pretty basic, anyway... don't murder, don't steal, don't
be sexually immoral... you'll find this in any religion, clear evidence of the
evolutionary origin of religion in the necessary code of conduct required for
primitive societies
to function without flying apart. The most interesting of these seven is
that you must not eat a limb from a living animal. In other words, if
you're going to eat it, at least kill it first.
Don't be needlessly cruel to lesser species.
Not only do Jews not actively proselytize, they will actively discourage those
who approach them to convert to Judaism. As a potential convert, expect
to be turned away a few times. Persist, and expect a year-long course of
study during which you will find yourself in a curious kind of limbo, not quite
a Jew yet, but not free to go back and act like a non-Jew and observe only the
strictures of those 7 commandments.
The above applies to Orthodox praxis. With Conservative, your mileage may
vary. As for Reformed Jews or Reconstructionist
Jews, well, they might as well be Unitarian. ;)
Israelis restricting missionary activity in that country is understandable,
considering the history of forceful proselytizing that was directed at the Jews
in
That said, the reality of how individual Jews
internalize the nature of the non-Jew varies from one individual to another.
A few (VERY few) will evince by their actions the full humanity of non-Jews,
simply having been born into a different culture. But the vast majority
will merely attempt to disguise (with varying degrees of success) their
attitude that
seems to be how it works out "on the ground."
(He was an Orthodox Jew – 613 commandments! Now that sounds like Pharisees. But
he has left that for more liberal pursuits.)
Friends have been
debating the legitimacy of things that are not falsifiable:
Tests
such as falsifiability and verifiability are required
before something can be science.
Response:
Where
does this stuff come from - physics appreciation classes? The
philosophy of physics?
I know what falsifiable means - but never heard the word in any physics
class I ever took - all the way to a degree in physics.
The Big Bang is essentially non falsifiable. That doesn’t
make it not science. All the assumptions upon which we base our science
are non falsifiable with current data. That's why they must be
"assumed."
Later - as new data comes in, some of the assumptions may be falsifiable -
then we can see if they appear false or not. When one is
found false - all
hell breaks loose in science. So many things that followed the assumption
must be altered, and it usually takes many years to do it.
The problem with most of religion is - that even if something becomes falsifiable,
and is found to be false, there is no action to begin the indicated changing of
what followed the assumption.
That's why religion cannot accept a most grand miracle - evolution. A few do
accept it - but it implicates so many other beliefs that the Bible, for
example, has to be rejected almost in total. That's hard when there is so much
“inertia.” So it tends to degrade to an acceptance of evolution as one of God's
"tools." That helps to make the changes much smaller. Usually this
“tool” group still rejects "human" evolution - in order to accept
Adam as the first man, but become amazed at all the "other" evolution
around them. Hey - it's a step. I’ve even met medical doctors who take this
“middle” position. (I have no idea what they think of
A friend asked:
Do you think he 'proved' the dot theory? and
I don't mean as just
opposed to a creation theory.
Response:
If this is in reference to the "Big Bang" theory - the answer is no -
not proven.
It appears to jibe with lots of other things we know - it works for the math,
etc. That's the way much of physics is. If it works with all the other accepted
knowledge, then it is accepted – but the acceptance is always known to be
temporary in nature.
The powerful feature of science is that it changes and grows as data becomes
available and understood. It is not "cast in concrete" and can be
altered. Scientists work hard to prove each other wrong.
If I could work like that in the Church, boy would I have fun!
In science, when something else works better later, we will eventually laugh at
the old idea. (That’s not literal – we don’t laugh at
You have read of my
talking with Baptists and Buddhists and Catholics and Jews and Muslims and
special Jews who believe in Jesus. My general feeling has been that almost all
these people are good – in every single group. There have been a few I judged
were non-believers taking advantage of a complex and powerful dynamic – to make
money – or sometimes just to fill the needs of a big ego. But these have been
few. Most of the ministers have been relatively simple men and women who serve.
I love driving around
I have contemplated
at some length an option I have for the last visit. I have been to some degree
ruthless in questioning at some of the churches – perhaps especially those who
believe my Mom and Dad are now burning in Hell. I take that personally. Not
only that God would do such a thing – but that people would love such a God. I
challenged with that direct question – “Why would you love such a God? What in
the world is wrong with you?”
I am going to visit
a Mormon Church out of town – and ask tough questions. I don’t know how far I
can get – nor do I know if I can get honest answers. Mormons have secrets. Many
are aware of the secrets at the temple – but there are many more than that. I
may decide not to broach the temple questions – as I would be putting any
honest answerer in the way of having to feel guilty (or even afraid) afterward.
I will ask what
they believe now about the great Negro race. Do they still believe that God put
upon them a witches curse – that has now been lifted? Or
do they believe the old doctrine was incorrect – and therefore Satanic? If so, why have they not apologized for the damage?
(An example of repentance that would be well noticed.)
If the doctrine was
incorrect, are there likely other incorrect doctrines as well – which need
correction? Institutional repentance?
What about Holy
Communion. Could they still use wine or grape juice – or is it now mandatory
that they use water? If mandatory, when did it become mandatory? Is there
scripture? Among dozens of churches I’ve attended this year – nobody uses water
except the Mormons. A Mormon showed me a scripture about the water – but it
said that it didn’t matter what was used – if he was correct, then water would
not be mandatory.
What if a Bishop
decided to use grape juice next Sunday – would he be given trouble? By any of you? By leaders above him?
Does he need “permission”? If so, how does he know that this requires
permission? Is it written somewhere that he needs permission for this? Doesn’t
he make many decisions that do not require permission?
And all the
permission that is needed for so many things – is it permission from God? Or from men? Is it the same?
If one of you
believes a man is wrong, should you consult God directly before following?
Could you expect an answer?
A Mormon friend
once told me that all the important doctrine – all we needed to know in order
to return to God – was contained in what you call “The Standard Works.” Is that
true? And do they consist of only the Bible (Old and New Testaments), the Book
of Mormon, The Doctrine and Covenants, and the Pearl of Great Price? If there
is more – what are they?
If it is true – my
next question is whether or not the ordinances of your temples are in these
books?
If they are not –
then does it give us to know that these temple ordinances are not required to
return to God?
If this changes the
answer – and now we know that there are things not in the standard works –
required for a return to God – then are there other things, perhaps unknown but
to a few, that also are required – and that cannot be read by anyone who wants?
Are there other
secrets in the temple that ordinary Mormons will never know? Things
that only apostles know?
How many secrets
are there? A Mormon friend told me there used to be nine in the temple – and
now only six.
The
three secrets no longer mentioned – do new Mormons learn what they were?
The
Visit: Mormons:
I
went to
He
immediately thought of the poor little missionaries. I explained that my
questions were going to be tough – and that I didn’t think I would like to do
that to these young folks.
He
was not convinced – and thought surely that the missionaries would be the right
match.
So
I offered to fire just one question to him for a sample.
He
said, “Ok.”
I
told him how I had torn into Southern Baptists for believing that my Mom and Dad
are burning in Hell forever, and he told me that Mormons don’t believe in a
burning Hell.
I
said, “That’s good – I like that – so instead I’ll ask you another question.”
When
I was young, they taught us that it would be very wrong to ask a girl to do
something wrong to “prove that she loved us.” He nodded. So do you Mormons
believe that God told Abraham, “Prove you love me – kill your boy” ?
Yes
– they do believe that.
Isn’t
that asking for an evil to prove one’s love – even worse than the evil we were
not supposed to do with the girl on a date?
And
then he thought maybe the missionaries were not the right target. After
Sacrament was ended, he took me to meet the Bishop. (Still
just a youngster at 45.)
I
told the Bishop that I understood he was probably busy – but that maybe he
could put me in touch with one or two other senior members with whom I could
have a discussion. He was ready to do that – but in talking for a few minutes,
he decided he wanted this thing for himself. That was fine, but I knew the time
would be limited.
We
talked some before he decided to go to his office for “The Rest of the story.”
First
I told him I was aware that the Mormons used to deny the leadership roles to
anyone with Negro blood.
(Since
this will all be from memory – I took no notes – I am not going to use any
quote marks – it will be as accurate as memory will serve.)
He
said that they were not denied leadership roles.
I
had to push it a little, by asking what they had been denied, and
then he said it was the priesthood.
(I
did wonder what leadership roles he was referring to – perhaps Boy Scout leader
or something.)
I
know the Mormons do no longer teach this – but I’m interested to know what the current
belief regarding the situation is. Do Mormons continue to believe that God put
a curse on the race – including a marking that included a darkened skin?
He
said that he had never seen any scripture that said that.
(Now
that’s interesting – because I’ve been saying that for years – no scripture –
and being told that it did not matter – we do what the prophet tells us to do.
If it does not matter – why am I now being told that this could not be found in
scripture? He could not know by now – that I had heard the curse thing
thousands of times over thirty or so years.)
I
had asked nothing about the scriptures – I had asked what Mormons believe, and
he wasn’t ready to tell me. He was very nice about it – just non-committal and
pretended not to know what we all know.
So
now we went to his office.
He
explained that he could not speak for the Church.
I
said that I did not want that anyway – I want to know what you – standing on
your own two feet – believe. That will have been affected by the Church – but
it is the beliefs of the actual Mormons that I’m interested in – not some
written beliefs that may or may not be followed. Since this curse thing is not
in the scriptures, why did so many Mormons believe it for so long – without
being corrected on it? And do Mormons believe it still – that there was a curse
from God?
He
really didn’t want to answer – so we went on – I could not get to the questions
I really wanted to ask. Like whether this was a false doctrine changed – or a
true doctrine that has taken on a new phase. If a false doctrine, I would want
to know if it was his opinion that there probably were also other false
doctrines adopted by the Church – that needed changing through the diligence of
leaders and membership.
So
I then asked about Holy Communion.
I
told him that I had been attending many different churches and religions this
year – and that Holy Communion was done in several different ways. I told him
that the Mormons are the only ones I’ve seen who use water instead of wine or
grape juice. Is that important? To use water?
Oh
no, he said, it does not matter, but water is fine.
Now
I know you can’t tell me the doctrine of the Church – but you can tell me what
you know from your own experience.
My
question is – if you as the Bishop decided to use grape juice next Sunday –
could you do that without getting permission from some higher person? I’m
trying to get at what it means when you say it does not “matter.”
No
– I would have to get permission – but why – what purpose for this?
Well
– perhaps to have a particularly strong symbol – the red color – certainly your
congregation would be more likely than ever to think about things on that
Sunday. If you were to do this on your own – would you be in trouble from
people in the congregation – as well as from leaders above you?
He
laughed – and said he thought he would.
So
it does matter – it must be water?
No
– no – it does not matter.
The
bread you use – I noticed it was white bread. Could you use wheat bread or some
other – without permission?
Yes.
Interesting
– you can change the bread – but not the water – without permission – why? Why
is it different for the bread from what it is for the liquid?
(Now
at about this point – I was pretty sure he knew I was a Mormon – but I let it
go for a while.)
(We
can’t go much further with this line – but I think that Joseph having put in
the change from grape juice to water – even though he clearly stated that it
did not matter – and was being done only because they had come not to trust the
grape juice they could purchase – had said the word “water,” and we are not
going to change it no matter how little it “matters.” He didn’t say anything
about the bread, so that can have some variability. I’m sure that even
perfectly clear but carbonated water would give trouble also – or sweetened –
or with color - or whatever – no change allowed.
This
is trivial by itself – but there are many of them. No applause allowed. Ties
required by 12 year olds. Only certain musical instruments allowed in Sacrament
meetings. It goes on and on – with no scriptural clarity – just traditions. I
felt sorry for a woman once – who was ready to play her Alto Saxophone – and
stopped for having an unacceptable instrument. I spoke at her funeral – and
indicated that I was curious whether she could play it in the Spirit World. She
had intended to play “Love at Home.”
I
know plenty of wonderful people who play in orchestras – and I love to hear
them play those stringed instruments in our meetings, but I always thought it a
little Haughty that
the kids who select band instruments are relegated spiritually
inferior. Some have gone so far as to outlaw all wind instruments – but I have
noticed an interesting compromise. The wind instruments included in the
orchestra tend to be allowed – clarinet – flute – oboe, but those of the band
that are not also in the orchestra – trombone – saxophone – usually even
trumpet – are not allowed. I have it on good authority that we may have a
little exception soon – with trumpets – but only for a fanfare called for
specifically in a particular hymn.
(Note:
I have learned since that this use of trumpets for the fanfares in “God
of Our Fathers” will not be allowed in our meeting. Permission to use an organ
simulated trumpet was given – but not for actual trumpets. The Music director
is understandably disappointed. I have suggested that three violins be used for
the fanfare – and that three trumpets be held up, but not played, for effect.
The three violins being heard for the fanfares - along with the silent trumpets
held high - would clearly be noticed by many – and probably bring about some
critical thought about the relative “sacredness” of the various instruments
that God’s children have invented.)
I
asked – All the permission that is needed for so many things – is it permission
from God – or from a man?
It
is the same. (Wo.)
(I
tested this once in my youth – I had been accepted to go to BYU, and the Branch
President gave me a calling. I accepted. Shortly after, he was talking with my Mom
– and found out I was supposed to leave for BYU in two days. He came to me and
asked why I had not told him. “Well,” I said, “evidently God wanted me to stay
back to teach this class.” “No – no,” he said, “If I had known that you were
going to BYU, I would not have called you.” So you see,
the calling was made by a good man – and not by God, for God already knew that
I was going to BYU.)
(Sometimes
I think this is what the scripture refers to when it says, “Many are called,
but few are chosen.” Does it mean men call many – but only occasionally it is
the one God wanted for the job? We have so many man-filters now – that it is
highly unlikely there will ever again be a Saul who becomes a Paul. Imagine – a
Christian killer helper – to an Apostle in very little time. And he was
possibly the most important Apostle of them all. Certainly is for the
Catholics.)
Because
of limited time, I would not get to all the questions – but I did have time for
one more.
So
finally – if we have time for one more – (yes) – The Mormons have the standard
works – and believe that all that is needed to return to God is found in just
those few volumes? Yes.
Are
the temple ordinances contained there?
I
don’t think I want to talk about temple ordinances.
Are
you not supposed to answer questions about the temple?
That’s
correct.
Bishop
– I can tell you have a suspicion – is that correct?
Yes.
I’m
LDS on a one-year trek visiting many religions – and this is the Mormon’s turn
– my last of 52 visits. He smiled – and I’m sure he already suspected – the
questions were too much knowledge.
Now
Bishop – I do know about the temple ordinances – and do not wish to put you on
the spot to answer questions you do not want to answer. But I’m not asking
about the ordinances – only asking if they are included in the “Standard
Works”?
No
– they are not.
Ok
– but are they required in order to return to God?
Yes.
Then
it is not true that everything we need is found in those scriptures?
Well
– there are more than just the books – there are magazines – and other
proclamations, etc.
I
understand – so what I’m asking is – among everything that may be read by any
member freely – are these ordinances included.
I
see. I guess they are not.
You
guess?
They
are not.
So
only a Mormon can go to heaven?
Oh
– I wouldn’t put it in those words.
I
understand – the Southern Baptists didn’t want to say certain words either –
like my Mom and Dad are burning in Hell. Nonetheless, they believe that they
are burning that way – and forever and ever without ending. They just don’t
like to use the word “Hell.” I don’t think I would want to either – if I
believed that.
Yes
– but we don’t believe that at all – a burning Hell, I mean.
Of
course – I know we don’t – but may only Mormons return to God?
We
believe people are taught even after this life.
Yes
– but they must either now or then become Mormons?
Not
Mormons.
Well
– members of the Church that we now call the Mormons?
Yes.
I
know you’re out of time, Bishop – Thank you - None of this is intended to be an
affront to anyone personally. I wanted to know how well a stranger might be
able to fare in getting answers, but there is no interest in publishing who
gave the answers – just a general report of findings.
(I
think he appreciated that.)
I
promise you, Bishop – I have been a lot tougher on some than I have been here.
When people believe God is burning my Mom and Dad – they get my ire for loving
such an evil God. “Why,” I ask them, “Why would you love a God like that?”
It
doesn’t matter how powerful He is – nor how much He
knows – We ought not to worship either power or knowledge – but only goodness.
I would take a God who knew half as much and had half the power and was deeply good,
any day, over a God who knows all – is all-powerful – and kills babies to get
at his enemy.
After
talking with the good Bishop – I attended with the High Priests. They had a
lesson titled, “Be of Good Cheer.”
This
was a good group – lively and game.
I
asked a couple questions – but just fun ones in normal participation. I was
worn out essentially on the serious ones.
They
were talking about “The Prince of Peace,” comparing that with Cheer.
I
said that I thought ants had pretty good “Peace” in their colonies – but no
“Freedom.”
Isn’t
Peace different from Cheer – Could we reasonably call Him the Prince of Cheer?
There
was some interesting discussion – some interesting personalities, as we have at
home also.
They
kind of ended up with Jesus as the Prince of Happiness. Happiness sounded
better to me than cheer.
The
teacher read some lines he got on the net – about the chicken crossing the road
– what different general authorities think it means.
There
were quite a few – some pretty funny – see if I can remember one or two.
Brigham Young – Because it was the place.
President
Kimball – He just wanted to do it.
Etc.
So
I added:
J.
Golden Kimball – Hell, she just wanted to get over to the other side. (I
thought – where her good rooster was, but I stifled.)
After
the class – I talked for a few minutes with a kind and very bright gentleman.
He was a representative for an interfaith counsel down that way – he had a very
wide view. I asked him some of the same questions as I had asked of the Bishop
– and got much more liberal answers. I told him I thought the reason he was
selected to be that representative was because of his wide view. He said that
was probably true – as the Church keeps wanting him in
that job year after year. He was a convert. He believes as I do – that the
atrocities ascribed to God in the Old Testament were really things done by men
– and then in scripture writing – God is given the “credit.”
I
asked him if he found he needed to remain silent a good part of the time.
“Yes,” he said.
He
believed in evolution. Including humans. He was a
geochemist – would be very aware of the animal and human life on this very
miraculous planet – including, for example – great numbers of the great Negro
race with societies and full languages – long before Adam (Or Cain).
Trip
Around the Sun – 52 (!) of 52. The Mormons
Glad
to be home. It was not an easy trip – but it was most rewarding. Next trip, I’m
considering coasting. (I may still take the hotrod.) I love all of you – and
now I find I love a bunch of new people too – all over
I’ve
known and cared about a few Jews in my life – and a few Buddhists – many
different styles of Christians – being a scientist, I have also known quite a few
good atheists - but not until this Trip Around the Sun, have I known a Muslim
to love – or a Hindu – or a Serbian Orthodox Christian.
What
a half billion miles !
52
of 52 – The Mormons – with me as “Investigator.”