Zone1 I Found This Video to Be One of the Fairest Videos About the LDS Religion from a Non-Member

[MarathonMike]

I will tell you this much. Start with the building blocks of all that exists. Later we can deal with your issues.
First, can we all agree there is the universe with billions of stars with who can count the planets? We can probably agree that it is likely some other planets also have life on them.

Billions of stars, were they accidents or were they created?

I am not an Atheist, I am a Deist.

 

[Robert W]

I am not an Atheist, I am a Deist.

does this define you?

 

[Robert W]

With all due respect, that is a dodge. I am bringing up a legitimate point that there are schisms between the various Christian Sects AND even within a particular religion. I heard 'false Christian' as a child when I was immersed in the Methodist Church. Your reference to Christians who aren't serious sounds similar to the things I heard growing up.

It was my impression deists believe what I am saying.

 

[Cougarbear]

I will tell you this much. Start with the building blocks of all that exists. Later we can deal with your issues.
First, can we all agree there is the universe with billions of stars with who can count the planets? We can probably agree that it is likely some other planets also have life on them.

Billions of stars, were they accidents or were they created?

With all due respect, that is a dodge. I am bringing up a legitimate point that there are schisms between the various Christian Sects AND even within a particular religion. I heard 'false Christian' as a child when I was immersed in the Methodist Church. Your reference to Christians who aren't serious sounds similar to the things I heard growing up.

You are a person who is distracted with normalcy bias. You aren’t trying to understand the LDS position. The Position is the heavens were closed due to apostasy beginning in 100AD when John was transliterated. The Godhead opened back up the heavens with calling a prophet (Amos 3:7) Joseph Smith. From this event in 1820AD, more light and knowledge has been given with Biblical clarifications, The Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, and Pearl of Great Price. Also, Prophets and Apostles, the foundation of the Church (Ephesians 4:10-13). We read and study all of these along with the Bible with its clarifications. And, we do this through revelations to our Prophets directly from Jesus Christ. Thus, we are Christians.

 

[MarathonMike]

You are a person who is distracted with normalcy bias. You aren’t trying to understand the LDS position. The Position is the heavens were closed due to apostasy beginning in 100AD when John was transliterated. The Godhead opened back up the heavens with calling a prophet (Amos 3:7) Joseph Smith. From this event in 1820AD, more light and knowledge has been given with Biblical clarifications, The Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, and Pearl of Great Price. Also, Prophets and Apostles, the foundation of the Church (Ephesians 4:10-13). We read and study all of these along with the Bible with its clarifications. And, we do this through revelations to our Prophets directly from Jesus Christ. Thus, we are Christians.

This is what "normalcy bias" means according to my search, since I have never heard this term:

Normalcy bias is
a cognitive bias causing people to underestimate the likelihood and impact of disasters, falsely believing that things will always continue as normal.

I obviously do not have 'normalcy bias' since I see several possible future disasters including the Southwest water crisis which I addressed in my thread about rain water harvesting I posted today.

Now since I am a Deist, I am not interested in the details of your religions' or ANY religions' definitions, interpretations, teachings etc. I know that is difficult to grasp for a firm believer but that's just how it is. I am not trying to offend you or anyone.
And your tendency to brand me with different mental conditions because I do not believe what you believe is not a good look for you or LDS. Have a good day!

 

[Cougarbear]

This is what "normalcy bias" means according to my search, since I have never heard this term:

Normalcy bias is
a cognitive bias causing people to underestimate the likelihood and impact of disasters, falsely believing that things will always continue as normal.

I obviously do not have 'normalcy bias' since I see several possible future disasters including the Southwest water crisis which I addressed in my thread about rain water harvesting I posted today.

Now since I am a Deist, I am not interested in the details of your religions' or ANY religions' definitions, interpretations, teachings etc. I know that is difficult to grasp for a firm believer but that's just how it is. I am not trying to offend you or anyone.
And your tendency to brand me with different mental conditions because I do not believe what you believe is not a good look for you or LDS. Have a good day!

Normality bias (or normalcy bias) is the tendency to underestimate the likelihood or impact of a potential hazard.
So, the hazard is not receiving the highest potential of one's self. That would be Celestial Glory. That's the danger. Another way to state this, "normalcy bias, a tendency for people to believe that things will always function the way they normally have functioned." If you have learned something one way, it can stop you from seeing another way that isn't to your normalcy.

 

[MarathonMike]

Normality bias (or normalcy bias) is the tendency to underestimate the likelihood or impact of a potential hazard.
So, the hazard is not receiving the highest potential of one's self. That would be Celestial Glory. That's the danger. Another way to state this, "normalcy bias, a tendency for people to believe that things will always function the way they normally have functioned." If you have learned something one way, it can stop you from seeing another way that isn't to your normalcy.

I gave you a clear example of why I do not have 'Normalcy bias". I don't believe the term has any relevance in a religious discussion since your perceived "disaster" is an unproven threat.

 

[SweetSue92]

Just one note about the Word of Wisdom. The revelation did not come by way of commandment from the Lord but we members hold to it since it was revealed by God for our benefit. The revelation can be found here Doctrine and Covenants 89

I do not have an hour to invest in one video and frankly, wouldn't even if I did. However, for years I thought that Mormons didn't drink coffee because caffeine is, really, a mind-altering substance. But NO, it's not the caffeine--it's just "hot drinks" for some reason.

Frankly that still blows me away in how silly it is

 

[Cougarbear]

I gave you a clear example of why I do not have 'Normalcy bias". I don't believe the term has any relevance in a religious discussion since your perceived "disaster" is an unproven threat.

You certainly do. But, I'll throw these out as well that you have: confirmation bias (seeking confirming info), anchoring (relying on initial info), affinity bias (favoring similar people). You seek out those and only agree with those who agree with you. You have no cognitive ability to logically reason for yourself. You rely on what you initially learned and won't let go even if logic and reason and the Holy Ghost say you should. Already stated affinity bias you have. I don't have these. See, my first 24 years I was following the Jewish faith. My parents and brother are and were Jewish when alive. I was teachable and not set in my ways the way you are.

 

[MarathonMike]

You certainly do. But, I'll throw these out as well that you have: confirmation bias (seeking confirming info), anchoring (relying on initial info), affinity bias (favoring similar people). You seek out those and only agree with those who agree with you. You have no cognitive ability to logically reason for yourself. You rely on what you initially learned and won't let go even if logic and reason and the Holy Ghost say you should. Already stated affinity bias you have. I don't have these. See, my first 24 years I was following the Jewish faith. My parents and brother are and were Jewish when alive. I was teachable and not set in my ways the way you are.

You are getting quite defensive. I won't respond directly to your various accusations. I'll just leave you with this FACT. The Church of LDS is a Faith Based organization as are all the major religions of the world. Faith is not Evidence. You have your Faith and I think that is fine, it's just not for me. Things have to make logical sense to me, that is why I am a DEIST and do not subscribe to any of the dozens of Faith Based Churches.

I don't attack you because you have Faith in the LDS organization but you feel compelled to attack me because I don't subscribe to your Faith. That is a common characteristic of many (not all) people of Faith I have known over the years. You can have the last word because I see no point in following you down another rabbit hole. Mike out, you have a nice day!

 

[Cougarbear]

You are getting quite defensive. I won't respond directly to your various accusations. I'll just leave you with this FACT. The Church of LDS is a Faith Based organization as are all the major religions of the world. Faith is not Evidence. You have your Faith and I think that is fine, it's just not for me. Things have to make logical sense to me, that is why I am a DEIST and do not subscribe to any of the dozens of Faith Based Churches.

I don't attack you because you have Faith in the LDS organization but you feel compelled to attack me because I don't subscribe to your Faith. That is a common characteristic of many (not all) people of Faith I have known over the years. You can have the last word because I see no point in following you down another rabbit hole. Mike out, you have a nice day!

And, there you go with your biases. Fear biases. I'm not attacking you. I'm explaining why you don't move forward on the path to Eternal Life where the Tree of Life exists. In the Book of Mormon, "faith is not to have a perfect knowledge of things; therefore if ye have faith ye hope for things which are not seen, which are true" (Alma 32:21). For faith to lead to salvation, it must be centered in the Lord. This involves having an assurance of His existence, a correct idea of His character, and a knowledge that one's life aligns with His will. True faith is "vivified, vitalized, living belief" that impels a person to act. As taught in the New Testament, "faith, if it hath not works, is dead" (James 2:17). Developing faith is often likened to planting a seed. It begins with a "desire to believe" and grows as a person "experiments" on the word of God through prayer, study, and obedience.