u/Own_Boss_8931

I saw a TikTok the other day of a young Mormon woman claiming the persecution of Mormons is proof to her that the church is true because Satan is turning people against them. Real question--what persecution do Mormons face?

Can they not worship how they want? Are they not able to build temples? Is a TV show called Mormon Wives persecution? Is it because people who leave Mormonism say bad things about them?

None of this is persecution. Horror movies poke at Catholics all the time. There are lots of TV shows about all sorts of religions that show the unsavory aspects of adherents and leaders. People who leave any church will say bad stuff about that church to explain why they left.

I honestly don't see any persecution of Mormons. If persecution is the litmus test for truth, then non-Christian religions in America must have the most truth.

I'm fed up with Mormons making the DOD list all about themselves. This shortened list treats all Jewish, Islam, Hindus, etc. as the same thing so they can reduce the number of clergy while Christians get 22 unique sets of clergy. So congrats on making the list. Congrats on getting them to drop "Christian" from everything. But don't for one second believe that means Mormonism gained any respect. If anything, it just made those who already don't like Mormons even more certain that it's the anti-Christ because they successfully removed "Christian" from all the Christian denominations. Hegseth's pastor (who helped cull the list) has called Mormonism "a polytheistic belief system that uses Christian terminology." That's what they think of Mormons.

Taoism/Daoism is one of the largest religions in the world, especially among Chinese/Taiwanese people and they will no longer have clergy. Jainism, a major religion especially in India no longer has clergy. Shinto, the national religion of Japan no longer has clergy. Native Americans no longer have clergy. There's an obvious theme here related to ethnicity when they chose the recognized religions. I can keep going, but the point is while Mormons are pouting about having their feelings hurt, other religions that have a real presence in the US armed forces lost recognition by the US DOD.

So keep making the list all about whether you're part of the Christian club. All I can say is I hope y'all show up just as passionately to defend service members who used to be able to print their religion on their dog tags and gravestones but have now been relegated to "All Other." Anyone willing to fight and die for their country deserves the respect of getting the spiritual guidance they prefer and having their religious symbol in Arlington instead of some bullshit "Other" symbol.

I just read another study explaining some health impacts of coffee. Specifically brewed coffee and it's ability to reduce effects of chronic diseases in aging. Obviously, this is not coffee flavored drinks that have a ton of sugar and cream in them (Dutch Bros, anyone?).

When I was a kid, I was taught the WoW was God's law of health. That later changed to a law of obedience once they couldn't deny health benefits of coffee and tea. But when a religion is actively forbidding things that are natural and good for us that's just control. I've thought the prohibition on coffee and tea would change for years now and have been wrong. But it's really past time for a new "revelation."

I've jokingly wondered if missionaries are real because I haven't seen them in the wild since pre-COVID. Before that I'd see them on bikes, in Kroger parking lots, whatever. That changed last night when they tracted my house. They had no idea I was exmo (I removed my records) and they just gave a standard door approach.

After telling me about themselves, they asked me, "are you Christian?"

Me: No, I'm not

Them: Is there another belief system you have?

Me: I'm pagan

Them: Wow--that's interesting. How did you end up being pagan?

Me: I became pagan when I left Mormonism.

Awkward silence...

Anyway, they were nice. I was polite. They dared to ask why I left and I kept it pretty generic and short. They asked if there was one thing I'd like to see the church do differently and I said they should spend more of their dragon's hoard of cash taking care of the poor and hungry. I told them I wanted to respect what they're out doing and wouldn't elaborate on anything unless they asked.

One of them seemed to want to gauge my prior activity level. His eyes got bigger and bigger as he asked questions and learned I grew up in Utah, served a mission, graduated from BYU, served in multiple bishoprics, etc.

When I went back to watch TV my wife asked, "who was at the door?" When I told her she jumped into "tell me everything" mode.

So there you go--they really do exist. I just feel bad they are falling behind their peers who are learning AI, getting half-way through a degree, learning a trade, or whatever.