Deseret News | Changing religions not uncommon, survey says

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Changing religions not uncommon, survey says

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To all...... | 8:52 p.m. April 29, 2009

I am LDS and am VERY grateful that there are many different religions in the world. While I hold a special place in my heart for the truths that are found in the church I attend, I certainly do not claim that all the best people are found in my professed religion. I have heard many sincere prayers offered by people who weren't LDS and love to listen to their comments about what God is like and why our lives down here are necessary. Truly, one of the greatest discussions you can have is one with an individual of a different religion. I am saddened by ANYONE ready to condemn another individual for their religious beliefs. As a true Christian, that is not our place. Christ only ever commanded us to love one another. He will judge, not us. Sadly, some of the comments on here seem condescending, not only from the unbelievers, but from the believers as well. I don't have to agree with every idea that is thrown my way from someone of a different religious faith, but I DO have to respect their right to believe as they want.

Pete in Texas

Dave | 9:51 a.m. April 30, 2009

I was born Mormon, so what else is there? It's all i have ever known.

Fyodor | 10:53 a.m. April 30, 2009

"Peacefully they will die, peacefully they will expire in your name, and beyond the grave they will find only death. But we will keep the secret, and for their own happiness we will entice them with a heavenly and eternal reward."

- The Grand Inquisitor to his "Savior" in The Brothers Karamazov

Comments continue below

re Linda A | 10:56 a.m. April 30, 2009

You are the best example I've seen yet of why so many flee your religion.

Caley | 3:53 p.m. April 30, 2009

To Linda A. wowsee! Are you a judge of all men or what? Quit using a ruler to beat people to death who have an opinion. You must be a very difficult woman in regular life and one of those also with your bent nose high in the air over nothing.

I say, LIVE AND LET LIVE. Religion is a personal thing and nothing to bloat all up about.

Try It, You'll Like It! | 4:38 p.m. April 30, 2009

I left Mormonism after it kept changing. Today's LDS church has very little left of the original church founded by Joseph Smith (or even what was taught in my youth). It is a sham just like all the rest. Glad I no longer have to worry about any of that nonsense.

Rude Awakening | 4:59 p.m. April 30, 2009

Yeah, Linda A, Get over your critical self. You are not God and you as well DO NOT KNOW EVERYTHING. Get out and take a LONNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNG walk.

@Genesis | 4:25 p.m. May 1, 2009

Ain't it great. You can think and believe anything you want. Its a God given right, if you believe in God.. I was nothing before I joined the L.D.S. faith and now I have a much better life. One thing I believe I see on this thread, is people who couldn't live a doctrine "changed." This make a person comfortable again and removes responsibility.

Noticed | 10:08 p.m. May 1, 2009

As I read this thread I read of people that have abandoned religion and claim increased happiness. This certainly is their right. I have to make an observation that I think folks leave religion or change churches for a vaariety of reasons. However, one that I think I see commonly on this thread is that religion required some time, effort and money. I think that is too big of a committment for some. They abondon the expectations so that they don't have to feel the guilt. I also observe that anything in this life that is worthwhile takes money, time and committment.

@Fyodor | 10:12 p.m. May 1, 2009

You depiciction of religion sounds like you think it is an "opiate of the masses," as Mark Twain said.
I submit that no religion is an opiate to some because it requires nothing. They assume no rersponsibility and therefore feel no guilt.

@Try it you, you'll like it. | 10:18 p.m. May 1, 2009

I repect your decision but I think your reasons are very shallow. Why don't you just say it required more of me than I wanted to give?

Everyones choice | 10:23 p.m. May 1, 2009

I decided to become active in religion because I needed more purpose in my life than just endlessly doing whatever felt good. Somtimes I now feel guilty because I don't measure up to what I think I should be doing. But, all in all I feel that I have done better because my expectations of myself have been raised. Therefore, I feel that I accomplish more good than I used to.

to: @Fyodor | 11:23 p.m. May 1, 2009

That was Karl Marx not Mark Twain.

Merv | 11:52 p.m. May 1, 2009

I have joined too many churches, and they are full of HOT AIR and a big guy behind a pulpit. All these guys claim they know God or have indeed seen him. I think they are all superficial and quite schizophrenic.

Religion is Bad | 1:05 a.m. May 2, 2009

Religion justifies things like jihad, inequality, and intolerance. It has been and is the cause of many wars throughout the history of our world. The war in the middle east is all over who's "god" is right and millions of people die in the name of "god."

Religion was useful before science could explain things like mythology did for the greeks. Religion slows progress. I don't believe in God but I live the golden rule and try to be compassionate and honest in all my dealings. Free yourself of the chains of religion and allow yourself true open-mindedness.

Beeswax | 8:21 a.m. May 2, 2009

Changing religions is no different from changing dirty diapers. Both stink, some worse than others. Particularly the Mormon church.

John | 10:54 a.m. May 2, 2009

I am proud to not go to church...best thing About Sunday is sleeping in....And i am also pround that i am from Salt Lake and not part of lds church

Worth Pondering | 3:25 p.m. May 2, 2009

"I cannot imagine a God who rewards and punishes the objects of his creation, whose purposes are modeled after our own -- a God, in short, who is but a reflection of human frailty. Neither can I believe that the individual survives the death of his body, although feeble souls harbor such thoughts through fear or ridiculous egotism." [Einstein]

sabertooth | 7:48 p.m. May 2, 2009

In a different sense, religions don't change often enough! For centuries, they teach the same racist, sexist, superstitious, absurd doctrines and enshrine immorality in their canon of scripture: Isaac being willing to kill his own son! Genocide by the Israelites in completely destroying people's living in "their" Promised Land! Commandments to stone disobedient children!

If religions would change their fables, myths, stories, and outright lies to be consistent with the morality and humanity being taught by science and studies in ethics, then religion might be more relevant and have less of a bloody history to repent of!

K | 8:57 p.m. May 2, 2009

Rules are good.

If you were the victim of a crime wouldn't you want society to say that killing is wrong? If your spouse had an affair wouldn't you feel betrayed and want society to agree with you? If you were cheated wouldn't you want society to sympathize with you and try to get your money back? If you were deceived wouldn't you want society to favor truth and not lies? People who don't like rules are the killers, cheaters, liars, and thieves. But in hand with most faiths there is remedy for those times people do fall as people do.

There is no morality in science. Survival of the most fit, kill or be killed, etc... Ethicist try to bring morality to embryology, end of life and patient care. Do no harm is not science based. Pagan, but faith based. Science used to experiment on live criminals. Look to 1930's Germany and see how immoral medical science was.

People will always have an excuse for fighting.

Anonymous | 11:22 p.m. May 2, 2009

Religious faith is like belief in UFOs.

I have always wondered about these aliens. If the huge numbers of "contacts," sightings, and abductees are telling even a particle of truth, then these aliens are NOT attempting to keep their existence a secret! But if that is true, why do they never stay still for anything more than a single, blury photo?

Same with religion and "revelation". Moreso than with aliens, if the HUGE number of revelations, spiritual experiences, "contacts" and sightings (even a few abductees) are telling even a particle of truth, then God is NOT attempting to keep his existence a secret! As the all-powerful (Oz) Creator, he could resolve doubt easily! Why doesn't he?

For the same reason the aliens don't do anything openly, above-board, and publically...

... because neither aliens nor god exists!

That is our best, reasonable conclusion!

Hugo | 9:45 a.m. May 3, 2009

Faith without works is dead!

Anonymous | 3:21 p.m. May 3, 2009

Why does every form of education have some sort of graduation?
Yet when it comes to the church there is none. I believe in continueing education just not for 3 hours every sunday.
I really don't care to listen to someone mono-toned readinding through a talk or the person who is dreading speaking. I go to sacrament and leave feeling like 60 minutes of my life is gone that i'll never get back.
I much rather enjoy listening to Joel Osteen.

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