Douglas Adams - he has written about it. I have just read “The Salmon of Doubt” and there is some stuff in there, I wouldn’t presume to summarise/paraphrase what he said, but he’s worth a read.
Nick
Is this the same Douglass Adams who wrote the “Hitchhikers Guide to The Galaxy” series?
Brett
one and the same - yes
he had a website that has been taken over by the BBC now
http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/
I think he would have approved of slowtwitch.com too…
Nick
ME! The reason was widespread hypocracy in the church. To me, christians are the worst commercial for christianity. Its the old do as I say, not as I do mentality. The church seemed to be more of a popularity contest than a worship service. I also think the church has gone away from what Christ was about.
My 2 cents, my beliefs, I respect your right to worship whatever you want.
No, but I have badgered two boyfriends into it I think by trying to understand their faith. One is now a complete non-believer and the other is teetering on the edge. While I feel bad about it, I also wonder how strong their convictions really were…it’s a strange thing.
You have TWO boyfriends? 
Both ex’s, no current. I’m difficult.
I am not a christian, but I can respect the things that Mr. J.C. seemed to preach. Anyway, I agree a bit with your sentiment. Ever see the bumpersticker,
“I love Jesus, it’s just his fan club I can’t stand.”
?
“ME! The reason was widespread hypocracy in the church.”
My parents were both raised in devote Catholic homes but they both did the big walk away from the church. I’m grateful that they did. It saved me the same journey.
I love difficult, cynical women.
Michael Shermer who now runs the skeptics socity (www.skeptic.com) is one who has gone from an evangelical Christian to…well…the head of the skeptics. He’s also a former RAAM racer.
From a neuroscience point of view, being under the spell of a religious experience does appear to influence the patterns of brain activity to a similar magnitude as being “in love”. When these things disappear it’s not entirely surprising that some people fall out of the church just as they fell out of love… I suspect that the major success of the church is constantly reinforcing these feelings with regular hymns and prayers.
dude, people would not equate Mormons with Christianity because of the Book of Mormon. I’m not an expert, but it’s my understanding that the book contains a lot of information that is very anti- christian teaching. Keep in mind that many evangelicals also believe that Catholics are not christians, either.
Are you kidding? So the Michael Shermer of the skeptics is the same one who raced RAAM in the 1980s?! Are you sure it is the same guy?
I’m sure… he talks about it in his articles and books.
He saw aliens and was abducted during one of the races… or as he’ll now admit, he was hallucinating from lack of sleep and thought his pit crew were aliens.
Then you’d be all over me like a… uh…triathlete in aerobars? Or something.
Yes, my mom has studied the bible extensively and does not believe Catholicism is Christian either. It’s all so subjective…
Mr. Tibbs - I live in a predominantly Mormon community. Although I do not believe in the religion, the people are bang-up people. The kids do all sorts of volunteer work in the community, including the much appreciated traffic control at our local tris/dus/runs, and the businessmen are wonderful people to work with.
do they really believe there is gold buried at the foot of the wastach mtns?
do they really believe there is gold buried at the foot of the wastach mtns?
No they (we) don’t. But that I’ll need to add that to the list of fun things people say/believe from time to time! : )
Yes, my mom has studied the bible extensively and does not believe Catholicism is Christian either.
Uh. . . What? How’s that? I have heard a lot of anti-Catholic stuff over the years, but that’s a new one to me. Not Christian? Because of what she read in the Bible? Please explain this one to me.
No, but I have badgered two boyfriends into it I think by trying to understand their faith. One is now a complete non-believer and the other is teetering on the edge. While I feel bad about it, I also wonder how strong their convictions really were…it’s a strange thing. What types of questions did you ask trying to understand their faith that changed their mind?
dude, people would not equate Mormons with Christianity because of the Book of Mormon. I’m not an expert, but it’s my understanding that the book contains a lot of information that is very anti- christian teaching. Keep in mind that many evangelicals also believe that Catholics are not christians, either.
Longtime lurker, infrequent poster - but I came across this thread and saw a few things that caught my eye.
From time to time various people/groups - some religious, some not - will declare that Mormons aren’t Christian. Some of these same groups will also follow-up by “teaching” what Mormons believe, sometimes in a spirit of meanness and other times simply because that’s what they heard/were taught/etc. Whatever the belief/teaching/doctrine/platform/etc., it’s always best to go the actual source for information on where they stand. While I know a reasonable amount about other religions, I’d hardly qualify as an authoritative and/or unbiased source of information about another church or religion.
As a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (the “Mormons”), I’ve always found it a little bit odd that some would so easily dismiss our belief in Christ, especially given the name of the church. And more to the point, Christ is the center of every belief we hold. That said, one of the reasons why some would categorize Mormons as non-Christian is that while there are many teachings that we hold in common with other Christian churches, our belief in the Book of Mormon (in addition to the Bible) as another testament of Christ, modern day prophets/revelation, etc. are certainly unique.
As for the Book of Mormon teaching “anti-Christian” doctrines, I’d simply ask, “Have you read it?” If so, what teachings are you referring to? If you haven’t read it - and most haven’t - why would you pass judgement on something you have little/no experience with? As an “expert” where the Book of Mormon is concerned, you’d find it very difficult (i.e. impossible) to find anything other than Christian teachings within its pages.
Lastly, you’re totally correct that many evangelical churches/ministers will declare similar feelings about the Catholic church, frequently in a spirit that is anything but Christ-like. It seems to me as though for those who do believe in Christ, notwithstanding what church they follow, the focus should be on their being more like Christ and nothing less. God is concerned with what I do about my sins/actions and not with what I perceive other’s sins to be (mote/beam story).
PS This is not a rip on anyone in anyway - just clarifying a few things and sharing a few thoughts.