Nine for Random Chatter, doomed to die

[Marduk]

Woah, really krebscout? Where were you for the former president? "God wants us to go into Iraq?"

[krebscout]

Ha, really? Did he say that?

[mic0]

Honestly, I can see what krebscout is trying to say. The LDS church is really well organized despite having a huge membership. For the most part people have the same beliefs across a huge geographical region. People in the Church have said they were doing things because the prophet said to (yes, I'm totally thinking about Prop. 8. Not saying if it was right or wrong, but many, many members used the very phrasing "I believe in the prophet and so I have to trust him on this" for that). Whether that is right or wrong in a personal context isn't the issue, but if people think Romeny (or Huntsman) will defer to the prophet then maybe they have a point. These guys are both politicians and hopefully realize they are representing tons of people who don't have their same religious beliefs, but that doesn't change the fact that many people will honestly not be sure whether or not these two guys will follow the prophet instead of what's good for the country.

Other presidents, besides Kennedy, haven't been involved in huge, centralized religions. It's something people have to get used to. In other news, I'm more concerned with why 7% of people won't vote for a woman (hopefully it is just because of the current choices?).

[Marduk]

I understand the argument, but I still think it is flawed. Listening to a prophet is no different than listening to a pastor, or a preacher, or a rabbi, or a priest. If we are willing to disregard one for being subject to that particular influence, but not another, how is that a decision based on anything but prejudice?

And krebscout, yes, basically. I don't know if he said it in so many words, but that was basically the gist of it.

[TheBlackSheep]

To a lot of people (including me), listening to a prophet is a lot different than listening to many of those other guys. It's the difference between LDS bishops and prophets or Catholic bishops and the pope.

[TheBlackSheep]

Also, THE prejudice of our age? Really? Isn't that a little overblown?

[Katya]

I understand the argument, but I still think it is flawed. Listening to a prophet is no different than listening to a pastor, or a preacher, or a rabbi, or a priest. If we are willing to disregard one for being subject to that particular influence, but not another, how is that a decision based on anything but prejudice?

In many denominations, if you don't like your rabbi or pastor or preacher, you can join another congregation but still be considered a member of the same faith. Even if you can't, for some reason, you have some cultural leeway to disagree with your local leaders but still identify with the larger community. If there is one person at the head of your organization (such as a pope or prophet), you can't get out from under their leadership without changing your religion.

And krebscout, yes, basically. I don't know if he said it in so many words, but that was basically the gist of it.

Here's the difference: I don't believe that God told President Bush to invade Iraq, and I don't have to believe it. I think it can be difficult to figure out what God wants you to do in a given situation and President Bush doesn't have any evidence that God wanted him to invade Iraq, so I'm comfortable believing that he misinterpreted what God wanted him to do.

However, you can't say the same thing about President Monson asking Mormons to support Prop 8. There's recorded evidence of what Mormons were asked to do by their leaders, so people can hold Mormons accountable for what their prophet says in ways that we can't hold Christians or theists accountable for what (the say) God said.

[mic0]

I think Katya and TBS are exactly right in the difference between the LDS prophet and other church's leaders. One other point is that if you think about which other groups have "prophets" today, and use that designation, it is only fringe groups. Obviously the LDS church is on a different playing field than those fringe groups, but the term "prophet" isn't always used in the best light these days.

The LDS church is mainstream these days, and you're right that many people are prejudiced for little reason, but the prophet-type authority is a legitimate concern for people who don't know much about the church or its members. The fact that Huntsman has been less vocal about his religion (I guess, that's how it seems anyway) seems to be helping him. It seems like people just want a president who has faith in something but will respect the wishes of the people rather than a very personal God.

[Whistler]

You know, I was thinking about this, and I'm not sure I would want an evangelical Christian for a president (many believe our church is of the devil, and have a very literal interpretation of the Bible, which strikes me as having some unsavory political implications). I am prejudiced! So I guess I can understand why some people wouldn't want a Mormon as president, especially if they believe our church is somewhat devil-inspired.

[Imogen]

we interrupt this program:

anybody still talk to bismark and coggers? how are they?

[Dragon Lady]

I still talk to bismark. In his own words, "tell them i am great: good job, great wife. a bit fatter than before but i'm working on it."

I think that means he's working on getting fatter.

[Whistler]

I keep in touch with Cognoscente, he is married and going to school and working and enjoying life I think.

[Dragon Lady]

I keep in touch with Cognoscente, he is married and going to school and working and enjoying life I think.

I know he enjoys work. He raves about it often on Facebook (which is really my only contact with him).

[Indefinite Integral]

I am really depressed today. Don't want to go to work. Unfortunately it's time to leave. Right now. Ugh. Too bad my students actually need to learn something today or I'd consider calling a sub.

[bobtheenchantedone]

Oh, I'm sorry, II. That's one thing I love about working for myself. When I feel depressed, I can just sit there being depressed for a while.

[Digit]

Nice hair on former Ukraine Prime Minister and now prison inmate Yulia Tymoshenko. Good material for people who love obscure Halloween costume ideas.

[Katya]

Nice hair on former Ukraine Prime Minister and now prison inmate Yulia Tymoshenko

When I heard she'd been convicted, my first thought was "Is she the one who had the great hair?"

[Whistler]

haha.... I've taken to wearing heidi braids myself, but they don't look as awesome as hers

[Whistler]

I looked it up and it is actually one gigantic braid she wraps around her head O_O

[mic0]

According to Mr. Mico people used to (maybe still do) say that she controlled the country with her hair. Because it looks like a wheel. So she steered the country with her wheel.