Participants in Social Organizations, I'd like to hear from you.

[chevy_man]

You can drink Mountain Dew now, just in case you hadn't heard...
You can even drink Dr. Pepper now as well...

But many do prefer to just avoid caffeine all together.

This was about 10 years ago. He spent the entire morning talking about wanting a mountain dew and how he had been good for years. Spent lunch time crying about going to hell.

That same guy got married to his wife 2 weeks after their first date. He was not a smart man.

He quit talking to me after I suggested a divorce would be better than listening to him yell at his wife on the phone for hours every day.

I think it has more to do with the temple they're actively going to. He was very devoted to whatever he was told there, and it didn't all agree with what I've been told by members of other temples.

 

[W54/XM-388]

This was about 10 years ago. He spent the entire morning talking about wanting a mountain dew and how he had been good for years. Spent lunch time crying about going to hell.

That same guy got married to his wife 2 weeks after their first date. He was not a smart man.

He quit talking to me after I suggested a divorce would be better than listening to him yell at his wife on the phone for hours every day.

I think it has more to do with the temple they're actively going to. He was very devoted to whatever he was told there, and it didn't all agree with what I've been told by members of other temples.

The poor guy sounds like he might have been seriously confused or going through something else.
While different local congregations often have their own cultural flavour depending on the area, it's all one Church and the official teachings and doctrines and worthiness standards for going to one of Temples (which is different from going to your local Church) are essentially set the same for everyone regardless of where you are. They are set by the Church leadership and not subject to change at lower levels.

If he was crying about thinking he was going to hell, then he really needed to get with his Bishop and study correct doctrines and teachings again.
Even if he did something actually that you are not supposed to do like drink coffee, that's more of a minor transgression and any decent Christ-like Bishop in the Church would have easily been able to talk with him and explain how to repent and do better next time.

 

[Big Phish]

This was about 10 years ago. He spent the entire morning talking about wanting a mountain dew and how he had been good for years. Spent lunch time crying about going to hell.

That same guy got married to his wife 2 weeks after their first date. He was not a smart man.

He quit talking to me after I suggested a divorce would be better than listening to him yell at his wife on the phone for hours every day.

I think it has more to do with the temple they're actively going to. He was very devoted to whatever he was told there, and it didn't all agree with what I've been told by members of other temples.

They are only slightly better than the JW. LOL

 

[sloporsche]

You must be exhausted now.

nnaa i take a couple of naps a day and sleep late ......a dull, quiet ,boring retirement life in florida i am happy to share with my wife

 

[Ronws]

When I was 11, I was baptised as a mormon (my grandparents were into it.) Later, at the age of 14, I was ordained as an aaronic priest.

Our scoutmaster was in the church. He was a former military pilot who was then flying 747s for Delta. He was also a 5th degree black belt in kenpo karate and taught us scouts for free. Our assistant scoutmaster, also in the church, was an Army Ranger. He taught us parade drill (toe and heel about face, gun work, etc.) He once brought in one of his instructors who taught us how to live off the land and "eat things that would make a billy goat puke."

But I haven't been to church in decades. Never progressed to the melchezedek priesthood or all that other work.

But I appreciate a good joke now and then.

 

[Cody S]

If you don't mind my asking- what didn't you care for the Mason/Shriners? Not trying to 'bait' you, just genuinely curious is all.

-LD

the masons/shriners were about fun and fraternity, which is fine, but not what I was after. I was looking for deeper things to do with my time, I found fulfilment in studying religion, etc etc.

 

[isofahunter]

I like being alone, and actively work to keep it that way.

 

[Cody S]

also, i read the mormon accounting, and looked into Mormon philosophy and found none of it convincing. I will stay far away from LDS as the more I learn the more the hair on the back of my neck stands up...

 

[Cody S]

2. Snipershide LD lecture hour.

I only put miserable cunts on Ignore....can I Ignore myself?

at least you're funny , I love self deprecating humor.

 

[Soulezoo]

You have your opinions and I have mine. Nothing wrong with either of those either.

If I type too much for you- there's a simple solution if it's causing you (or anyone else for that matter, looking at you @TheBigCountry) grief. Good lord- how many times does Frank need to reiterate this?

View attachment 8609041


I think it was Popeye that said, "I am who I am, and that's all that I am". I do struggle to see how your post here contributes to the conversation though...

If you don't like what I post, or how I post here- then why would you voluntarily enter a thread "I" started, act surprised that the Duck is doing Duck stuff only to "rattle your sabres" and post how you're better than me? Do you not see the irony of your post, what it insinuates, and the topic being discussed here?

Come on @Bullfrog08 you're better than this, you know it & I know it. Find a different hobby, be a better man, choose your own adventure. But don't crap on my thread with the argument that I posted what you don't like.

How many posts have you started here, how many independent thoughts were you willing to share in a community of strangers? When did you have an opinion that you were willing to stand behind despite public scrutiny?

Do better.


-LD

Bullfrog says: "Not Appreciated!!"

 

[Cody S]

truth time, your actions won't get you into heaven. you aren't as righteous as the biblical jews, and apparently they were pretty darn good, but nowhere near good enough to make it to heaven without atonement for their sins, atonement which alone they couldn't/wouldn't attain. they would drop everything and walk across the country to make a single convert. these were fiercely religious people, and apparently they were too flawed to get into heaven alone. read the new testament, build a relationship with the christ, and force yourself to attend the most orthodox, hard hitting church you can that preaches right out of the bible. your future will be much cooler if you do.

 

[W54/XM-388]

also, i read the mormon accounting, and looked into Mormon philosophy and found none of it convincing. I will stay far away from LDS as the more I learn the more the hair on the back of my neck stands up...

Or you could just join & find out that members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are the most Christian Christians of all Christians.

Then you can enjoy sharing the Truth of the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ with others so they can find the same wonderful happiness you found & look forward to eternity with joy & gladness.

 

[Ronws]

Or you could just join & find out that members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are the most Christian Christians of all Christians.

Then you can enjoy sharing the Truth of the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ with others so they can find the same wonderful happiness you found & look forward to eternity with joy & gladness.

And I was thinking Meatloaf was singing about the extension of mormon marriage. They believe you can be married for eternity.

Meatloaf's words from "Paradise By The Dashboard Light."

"I'm praying for the end of time
To hurry up and arrive.
'Cause if I have to spend another minute with you
I don't I could barely survive.

I'm praying for the end of time.
It's all I can do, do, do.
I'm praying for the end of time
So I can end my time with you."

 

[W54/XM-388]

And I was thinking Meatloaf was singing about the extension of mormon marriage. They believe you can be married for eternity.

Meatloaf's words from "Paradise By The Dashboard Light."

"I'm praying for the end of time
To hurry up and arrive.
'Cause if I have to spend another minute with you
I don't I could barely survive.

I'm praying for the end of time.
It's all I can do, do, do.
I'm praying for the end of time
So I can end my time with you."

I could see some people perhaps don't want to have any further dealings with their spouse after this life.
But if you really love your spouse and are truly one with them, wouldn't you want to be able to spend eternity with them?

Perhaps none of your older relatives who had lost a spouse looked forward to being together with them in the next life?

I remember both of my grandmothers were all about being anxious to be re-united with their husbands for eternity in the next life.
Several of my good friends who are older are also waiting patiently until the day they are able to be reunited with their spouses in the next life.

Such wishes and aspirations are not unique to one single denomination.

Fortunately, in Their loving kindness and the wonderful plan of Salvation and Exaltation, Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ have provided a way for us to be together with our loved ones forever.

When you are sealed together under the proper authority, your marriage and your family can will continue on for eternity.

You don't have to have your marriage sealed for all eternity, that is a choice. Some people prefer to only be married for the rest of their lives.
It's a choice you make.


There is of course this very important thing called free agency and choice. At no time in this life or the next life will Heavenly Father or Jesus Christ force someone to stay sealed to someone they no longer wish to. Nor can any of us force someone to stay married to us and/or sealed to us against their will.

 

[Bullfrog08]

I could see some people perhaps don't want to have any further dealings with their spouse after this life.
But if you really love your spouse and are truly one with them, wouldn't you want to be able to spend eternity with them?

Perhaps none of your older relatives who had lost a spouse looked forward to being together with them in the next life?

I remember both of my grandmothers were all about being anxious to be re-united with their husbands for eternity in the next life.
Several of my good friends who are older are also waiting patiently until the day they are able to be reunited with their spouses in the next life.

Such wishes and aspirations are not unique to one single denomination.

Fortunately, in Their loving kindness and the wonderful plan of Salvation and Exaltation, Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ have provided a way for us to be together with our loved ones forever.

When you are sealed together under the proper authority, your marriage and your family can will continue on for eternity.

You don't have to have your marriage sealed for all eternity, that is a choice. Some people prefer to only be married for the rest of their lives.
It's a choice you make.


There is of course this very important thing called free agency and choice. At no time in this life or the next life will Heavenly Father or Jesus Christ force someone to stay sealed to someone they no longer wish to. Nor can any of us force someone to stay married to us and/or sealed to us against their will.

If I arrive in heaven....not likely....and the first people I see are relatives, I'll know I didnt make it!

 

[W54/XM-388]

If I arrive in heaven....not likely....and the first people I see are relatives, I'll know I didnt make it!

It doesn't have to be that way.

It's your choice, you can choose freely the path you want to be on and if you want to be able to live in the presence of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. The only one stopping you is you. It's a free gift that you have to accept willingly.

You can choose to be sure of where you go.

And your relatives who have passed on, still have the choice to repent and accept the gospel of Jesus Christ.

 

[Big Phish]

It doesn't have to be that way.

It's your choice, you can choose freely the path you want to be on and if you want to be able to live in the presence of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. The only one stopping you is you. It's a free gift that you have to accept willingly.

You can choose to be sure of where you go.

And your relatives who have passed on, still have the choice to repent and accept the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Maybe but my relative on my side have special place in hell to stay in. Now on the hand my wife side is good and don’t mind seeing them in Heaven since they treated me much better and didn’t act like assholes.

 

[acpchuck]

You can drink Mountain Dew now, just in case you hadn't heard...
You can even drink Dr. Pepper now as well...

But many do prefer to just avoid caffeine all together.

Lived in SE Idaho where 60+% of the people are LDS. Was told by a LDS coworker that the difference between a good LDS and one not so good was the temperature of their caffeine. At the location I worked (800+ employees at it's peak) a walk around to see who was drinking Mountain Dew in the morning was a way to tell who was LDS.

 

[W54/XM-388]

Lived in SE Idaho where 60+% of the people are LDS. Was told by a LDS coworker that the difference between a good LDS and one not so good was the temperature of their caffeine. At the location I worked (800+ employees at it's peak) a walk around to see who was drinking Mountain Dew in the morning was a way to tell who was LDS.

It kind of depends, the exact teaching is actually pretty specific.

The actual teaching is that you can't have Coffee or Black/Green/White tea & certian other similar types of tea-type / coffee-type plants.

Caffeine itself is not currently prohibited so like energy drinks, coke, dr pepper, other sodas and such are allowed. When in doubt on something specific, check with your local Bishop and they can let you know.

That being said, probably most folks from the older lineages and longer ancestorial lines, or a bit more strict on health stuff, generally do not do drinks with caffeine in them and don't let their children do so either. (Like many of my local friends, and myself).

Personally myself and many others feel that you're better off learning to live without caffeine all together rather than try to find what you are allowed to have it in. I'd say pretty much for a very long time some of the more strict folks have felt it was best to not be addicted to caffeine at all.

So it's kind of up to the individual, but for me I usually bring things that are caffeine free like Sprite or Fanta or flavoured sparkling water, or fruit juices or Gatorade to general Church gatherings.

Now the one exception that basically everybody makes is Chocolate. Hot Chocolate, eating chocolate, whatever. Everybody pretty much loves Chocolate and nobody talks about any caffeine in that at all. Chocolate has no caffeine and that's the story we are sticking to...

 

[cas6969]

truth time, your actions won't get you into heaven

Ain't no "heaven", ain't no "hell", it ain't anywhere near that simple.

 

[Ronws]

Mormons have their list of foods prohibited. So do hebrews and muslims. And indians.

Others use the scientific approach.

Ron White said others were afraid of the cow farts creating holes in the ozone layer.
"I'm eating the cows!"

 

[LuckyDuck]

WTFF is that!!

 

[LuckyDuck]

the masons/shriners were about fun and fraternity, which is fine, but not what I was after. I was looking for deeper things to do with my time, I found fulfilment in studying religion, etc etc.

Completely understand, appreciate the response.

-LD

 

[Cody S]

Or you could just join & find out that members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are the most Christian Christians of all Christians.

Then you can enjoy sharing the Truth of the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ with others so they can find the same wonderful happiness you found & look forward to eternity with joy & gladness.

the people are often fine people, its the doctrine that bothers me deeply.

 

[W54/XM-388]

the people are often fine people, its the doctrine that bothers me deeply.

I think you might find if you studied the teachings from the correct sources and read the various books and official companion guides and then studied how they compare with the actual words of Jesus Christ in the plain manner he said them and also the things the Apostles said and then also compared them with the writings from the early Church fathers back in the 100AD and such range, you'd find that we believe very much in how the early Christians believed and understood things before "Christianity" got hijacked by the Roman rulers and Greek philosophers.

Of course today just like in the times when our Church was founded, the problem is that different folks can read the plain words in the Bible and come away with completely different interpretations of what each side thinks should be so plainly obvious to everyone.

If there is a specific doctrine you don't understand and have a question on, I'm happy to give you a brief explanation of it. You may or may not agree, and well that's why there is so many different denominations...

It's too bad the OP doesn't want to join something centered on Faith and Religion as our Church pretty much has involvement available for everybody in as much as they possibly want in as many areas as they could possibly want. From doing international charity and aid work to doing local humanitarian service projects, to fun activities with friends, to doing detailed studies of the Scriptures and the Gospel, to worshiping Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father together, to going out and having fun and great times with your local congregation, to being able to visit places all over the world and it be just like home, to taking care of children and the youth, to opportunities for singles and couples of all ages to serve in full time gospel outreach, or to just being friends and watching over and caring for and helping some of your neighbours. Or studying higher education if that's more your thing.

For example today the men's group from our local congregation went out for a skeet shooting event (which most of us sucked at but it was still fun).

Then I went with some friends to go do some dedicated praying and worshiping Jesus Christ in the Temple.

Other days we do projects to help needy folks in our local community.

Other days I go visit and have fellowship with elderly widows or bring food to folks who are elderly or ill.

Other days we'll get together for meetings to study and debate scriptures and the Gospel of Jesus Christ and listen to lectures by academics.

Sometimes we'll have fun dinners and dancing or sports nights.

Other times I go out and help share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with those who haven't heard it yet.

 

[LuckyDuck]

the people are often fine people, its the doctrine that bothers me deeply.

I think you might find if you studied the teachings from the correct sources and read the various books and official companion guides and then studied how they compare with the actual words of Jesus Christ in the plain manner he said them and also the things the Apostles said and then also compared them with the writings from the early Church fathers back in the 100AD and such range, you'd find that we believe very much in how the early Christians believed and understood things before "Christianity" got hijacked by the Roman rulers and Greek philosophers.

Of course today just like in the times when our Church was founded, the problem is that different folks can read the plain words in the Bible and come away with completely different interpretations of what each side thinks should be so plainly obvious to everyone.

If there is a specific doctrine you don't understand and have a question on, I'm happy to give you a brief explanation of it. You may or may not agree, and well that's why there is so many different denominations...

It's too bad the OP doesn't want to join something centered on Faith and Religion as our Church pretty much has involvement available for everybody in as much as they possibly want in as many areas as they could possibly want. From doing international charity and aid work to doing local humanitarian service projects, to fun activities with friends, to doing detailed studies of the Scriptures and the Gospel, to worshiping Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father together, to going out and having fun and great times with your local congregation, to being able to visit places all over the world and it be just like home, to taking care of children and the youth, to opportunities for singles and couples of all ages to serve in full time gospel outreach, or to just being friends and watching over and caring for and helping some of your neighbours. Or studying higher education if that's more your thing.

For example today the men's group from our local congregation went out for a skeet shooting event (which most of us sucked at but it was still fun).

Then I went with some friends to go do some dedicated praying and worshiping Jesus Christ in the Temple.

Other days we do projects to help needy folks in our local community.

Other days I go visit and have fellowship with elderly widows or bring food to folks who are elderly or ill.

Other days we'll get together for meetings to study and debate scriptures and the Gospel of Jesus Christ and listen to lectures by academics.

Sometimes we'll have fun dinners and dancing or sports nights.

Other times I go out and help share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with those who haven't heard it yet.

OP here-

On the topic of the thread I've certainly run into some proverbial walls with my desires to avoid organizations with religious associations which I've already shared or touched on. But to reiterate, I still get to hang around their events and support their efforts (just as an outsider is all) and I don't harbor any ill feelings or expect any of those organizations to feel compelled to alter the standards that they've set and gone by for however long.

@W54/XM-388 - what you described sounds exactly like what I was hoping to pick the brains here for (just without the religious element is all). A group with a sense of fellowship and that often does some good locally for the sake of doing good and trying to leave the world the slightest bit better than it was when we found it with no other motivations than just wanting to do something good and does so in a manner that's appreciated and not continuing a cycle of expectations and entitlements either.

It's surprisingly difficult to find that. I'll elaborate but reckon I'll do so in a different post since I've now got a fan club looking out for when I go over a character limit in my posts.

-LD

 

[LuckyDuck]

Before I continue though-

I recognize this is the Pit and everyone is free to post what they're going to post and it makes sense that some of the posts would share some religious elements while describing similar organizations that are being discussed I would make a humble request to try to avoid the topic being diverted into a religious one if at all possible.

Can't stop anyone from doing so of course, just wanted to put a quick plug in on the topic is all. Not necessarily directed to anyone here specifically either just (full disclosure) I asked this on other forums and the Mason element in particular caused a dustup between folks of different faiths (and I get it, I've shared here multiple times that I was raised Catholic and the Masons weren't exactly held in high regard there either) and I'd just like to avoid that from occurring here is all.

-LD

 

[LuckyDuck]

But back to what I was going to say-

It's surprisingly difficult to find a group of people that want to get together & do good things locally. As I've posted here before- decades ago this was a rather common thing to belong to. You had groups like the KOC, Masons, Rotary Clubs, Lions, Key Clubs, VFW's, American Legions, Odd Fellows, AOH, Eagles, Elks, Moose's, etc. And they all had their demographics which likely were somewhat similar but along the past number of decades, things changed (I have my own theories but I'll keep them to myself for now) and membership in these groups declined.

That decline though, at least in my opinion, has created a bit of a "gravity well". The memberships got older, the projects/efforts they used to be able to accomplish slowed down proportionally, and almost universally they fell into a societal "rut". That "gravity well" I mentioned also seemed to create a vacuum and other groups filled and to find one without a "leaning" is all but impossible.

I mentioned being part of the VFW/AL- good people, probably will always maintain my membership there but from my little bubble, they vast majority are social members that belong so they can drink at the bars that are still standing. Nothing against bars myself but I haven't been interested in going out to bars to drink for many years. There's usually a small group that does things such as care packages collecting things like soap, baby wipes and other toiletries to send out but I don't connect with that approach. In my experience in a previous life- those care packages go through "filters" and the folks actually in harms way get what's left over while the... folks in the rear with the gear (I'll put it that way) get the "good stuff" like the cigars for the troops type of efforts. I'd rather put efforts out to helping local Vets that are struggling but (again in my little bubble) they can't seem to get past the "well we have to 'recruit' them first" mindset.

I looked into local fire halls- also seems primarily like joining a private bar. Again- nothing against it if that's your thing but I want something more than cheap(er) beer since I'm not going to drive to a bar to drink for a few hours and drive home as the police sit outside looking to make DUI arrests. I looked into being a volunteer firefighter (may be a regional thing but most of the firefighters here are volunteers) and it's essentially a second full-time job commitment of which costs money and I just can't sign up for that deal in good faith.

Another one I looked at was hiking groups such as the Appalachian Trail (ATC) and PA trails (KTA) and they/at least their leadership spends considerable efforts/time/money fighting against gun rights so that's not going to happen. I've looked into Project Appleseed and they run their volunteers ragged (others may disagree) but the 'free labor' element of it turns me off and was a factor in the Revere's Rider's offshoot (of which I don't have a local one/chapter).

I know- TL/DR: Just going on about why it's been difficult finding a group and where the post came from. It can certainly be argued that I'm being overly picky but when it comes to my time, labor and money I think that I'm well within my rights to be selective of where I spend my efforts

-LD

 

[akmike47]

Your comment finally made me Google Grindr after years of hearing about it. I thought you mis-spelled it. Now I know! I'm certain we already have a lot of Grindr members on here.

You’re the newest

 

[Big Phish]

View attachment 8612604

Oh my LD is that your fuck doll so you do have fetish you sleep with!