I was born into the cult of later day saints.
I probably did at some point when I was young but it was more like I took it for granted and never gave it much thought. When I did I realized how bat shit crazy the whole Joe Smith story was at which point it became a joke.
I looked at a few things Buddhism a bit and I kind of liked the Hari Kristina chants. Oh and I went one time to a gathering of the Rainbow Tribes and everyday sat in a big circle and chanted omm for hours but again nothing significant ever happened unless you count all the nudity. I was always hoping to find that girl that Paul Simon sang about who would, “lead me to the woods saying here comes something and it feels so good” and when it did she was an atheist. She is stardust now. Currently I believe that the notion of god is a man made artifact which arose to answer the questions we don’t have answers for yet. It was employed with great success by shysters to empty the pockets of the poor with false promises. Joe Smith being just one of millions.
Is it even proven that Jesus was more than just some jewish schmuck? Many biblical scholars, of which I am not one, contend that there is no evidence that his story is factual.
I’m not sure there is a coherent message. The message in the OT seems to be, “Obey me or I’ll kill you. Oh and by the way I’m going to constantly test your loyalty.” The NT seems to be a kinder gentler message but still “Obey me above all others or spend eternity in hell”. Wait that’s not kinder is it. Interesting aside: I thought the NT was meant to over ride the OT but in most churches its the OT that is most often quoted. I think that might be because fear is the great motivator with the weak minded.
No!!! Too many to list but mostly the intolerance and hypocriticalness and their desire to make everyone live how they think people should live and their take over of government and …
Umm appearing in person or at least firing a lightening bolt at DT. But if that’s too big an ask how about that Pentecostal girl mentioned earlier?