A Contradiction To Mormonism Part 1

Thinking about my relatively short time in Mormonism, I have come to find out of certain contradiction within the faith itself. In this part, I will take notice of the biblical contradictions.

First, the claim in Helaman 8: 21 of the Book of Mormon. Here, three questions are asked about the destruction of Jerusalem, if the sons of Zedekiah were truly killed except for Mulek, and if the “seed” of Zedekiah were present at that time and were driven out of Jerusalem.

And now will you dispute that Jerusalem was destroyed? Will ye say that the sons of Zedekiah were not slain, all except it were Mulek? Yea, and do ye not behold that the seed of Zedekiah are with us, and they were driven out of the land of Jerusalem? But behold, this is not all— (Helaman 8: 21)

In reference to Zedekiah, the Old Testament shows that Zedekiah’s end was to watch his progeny die at the hands of the king of Babylon, have his eyes poked out, then to became chained and made captive. He was to remain a captive of Babylon till his death. Pretty sure that he was unable to have any children after that. As for Mulek, his name is never even mentioned in the bible.

And the city was besieged unto the eleventh year of king Zedekiah. And on the ninth day of the fourth month the famine prevailed in the city, and there was no bread for the people of the land. And the city was broken up, and all the men of war fled by night by the way of the gate between two walls, which is by the king's garden: (now the Chaldees were against the city round about:) and the king went the way toward the plain. And the army of the Chaldees pursued after the king, and overtook him in the plains of Jericho: and all his army were scattered from him. So they took the king, and brought him up to the king of Babylon to Riblah; and they gave judgment upon him. And they slew the sons of Zedekiah before his eyes, and put out the eyes of Zedekiah, and bound him with fetters of brass, and carried him to Babylon. (1 Kings 25: 2 – 7)[see also: Jeremiah 39: 2 – 7; 44: 30; 52: 5 – 11]

Second, there’s another Book of Mormon reference: 1 Nephi 1: 4. Lehi is mentioned as a person in this verse during the reign of Zedekiah. Any reference to Lehi refers to a place located in Judah, no person or living entity.

For it came to pass in the commencement of the first year of the reign of Zedekiah, king of Judah, (my father, Lehi, having dwelt at Jerusalem in all his days); and in that same year there came many prophets, prophesying unto the people that they must repent, or the great city Jerusalem must be destroyed. (1 Nephi 1: 4)

Considering the evidence and “non-evidence”, the conclusion based on the bible itself brings to light that Mormonism, Joseph Smith, and the Book of Mormon have no valid place in honesty or reality. Joseph Smith himself has been proven to be a fraud countless times before he brought about to fruition a whole new religion.

Thinking back, I remember a friend in Mormonism saying that he would believe in it whether it was true or not. All I could think of at that point how sad it was that anybody would prefer believing a lie over the truth, even if it made them feel good. Like taking a placebo over the real thing and therefore never truly getting better. Like Matt Dilahunty, I prefer believing as many true things as possible. Truth that is factual and evidence based.

Though I wish I at least known this when first approached by the missionaries, I am just glad I know it now. Glad they did though, or else I would not have decided to look for the information and have the ability to use it in the future. Just hoping that constructive conversation can be part of the equation of figuring out how they choose to explain what I have found. Hoping to dwindle the hold that such mythology has on the general public.

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Can You Ever Really Be Too Beautiful For A Team Sport?

I find it odd that anyone on a sports team could be too beautiful or too much of anything apart from being too much of a bad sport. When I saw the video, it made me question why it was an issue in the first place. Many times over, activities like Cheerleading, dancing, acting, etc, have no known issue, to me anyways, with any one person being too beautiful. As far as I can tell, there's noone less then beautiful. Beauty even seems to be promoted.

Not Sure Yet About My Focus As An Atheist Blogger

Not Sure About My Focus 

Having trouble trying to have a main focus as far as what to write concerning atheism after much of what I’ve been seeing. I want to join the “fight” against passing myth, fantasy, and magic as truth and reality. Being over generalized, Atheism vs. Religion/Faith/Myth, without any clear direction as to which way it is going. No path set or any signs pointing as to which way to go, I am left with a question mark over my head at the paths going willy-nilly.  

At first, I wanted to comb through the news and find different ways of acknowledging how religion was doing it wrong. Upon further consideration, I realized I did not have a matrix of how I would go about it since I had been so used to keeping most of my opinions to myself. 

The further along I went down that line of thought, it made me think about my “time” with the JW’s. I began to realize that there had been a constant thought in the back of my mind about how I was indirectly chastised about thinking for myself and that the elders were the only ones who should do the thinking for me, along with determining whom I was to actually be. The governing body was the one who was actually pulling the strings like a puppet master, seeing how they were the ones putting out the information that was to be studied each Sunday along with whatever weekday was chosen by the congregation for the book study and other material.  

Dwelling on that, I realized that had I not left when I did, I would have allowed others to do my thinking for me as well as allowing them to have complete control over me. This could be applicable to Mormonism and Christianity in general. 

The veil had lifted, as the saying goes. I am positive that there are pure and unselfish intentions by some, but know that most do it for the control that being in such authority allows for. Interestingly, I noticed how veil equals evil. Same letters with a couple rearranged between the two allows both to go hand in hand. Intention may not have been there but the correlation has become evident to me.  

Being able to think for myself with the verifiable information allowed, makes the future brighter. As an individual, still single and no kids, happiness comes at the fact that I am not subject to a wife and children still in any particular religion with me having come out of it. As the proverb goes, a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. Freedom that is allowed to me in making my own decisions helps me to exercise my mind. Accepting as well that mistakes will be made, being human. No one is born perfect nor born with the instincts that other animals have that allow them to live in their environment. 

This idea helps me to appreciate the value of life more, having the ability to think, being able to exercise my mind that in turn will give me more capableness in being able to handle any future decisions. In particular, when any new facts come to light that will help make way for a better path; I will be ready for it. Admittedly, there is still a lot for me to learn and to overcome, especially for as long as I have been in the concept of “faith”. Appreciation for the way that believing in a deity is no different than believing in Santa Claus. Both are based, not on or in reality, but exist to give a false hope, and in most ways the way of controlling the one who believes in the concept. 

My intention is not to use this blog as a platform to rant and rave while spinning my tires in the mud. I do plan on going somewhere with it. To at least help me learn along the true path of reality and maybe to help those where I can. Reading fantasy and sci-fi genres are the best, but having to accept them as truth is no way to live. Like Aesop’s Fables and Grimm’s Fairytales are ways of conveying certain truths, so should the approach to any belief without having to take the trash with the cake. 

During work this week, a co-worker had mentioned that Satan was more of a warden when I had brought up the fact that “hell” would not be all that bad since those going there were doing what Satan wanted anyway. To say the least, I found it interesting since it was the first time I had heard of Satan being as such. Never quite heard it put that way before though I am sure that there is no reference of him being as such.

Why I am an Atheist

To begin, I was born going to church, my involvement in the religious aspect lasting from 1982 to about early 2013. The journey I started on in becoming an atheist began when I was involved with the Jehovah’s Witnesses and was watching Youtube videos based on people having initially been involved with JW’s and weren’t anymore. Watching these videos made me wonder how the common reference to the JW’s as being a cult was true. At the time, I could not really see it. With fear as a common tactic described as the consensus of being part of a cult, ALL of Christianity along with Islam would be a cult. Pretty sure that most religions would fit into this category as well.

Having associated with the JW’s for approximately seven years, I started becoming disillusioned with the whole thing, especially after I started listening to atheist podcasts such as Dogma Debate, The Thinking Atheist, and The Atheist Experience. After having changed my religious affiliation on Facebook from Christian to Atheist, I started studying with some Mormons, just to see what it was that they had to offer. This was due to a curiosity that I have had since at least high school. Eye opening was the information that they provided along with info that I had found on the internet, particularly the sites that held information pointing to the contradictions of Mormonism.

After a couple times of studying with the Mormon missionaries, I was baptized. Funny thing was, I believed none of what they believed. The whole thing was just a bit silly to me, especially when they were saying the things that I knew was absolute rubbish. Their learning material was, to me, something that seemed to be made for a child-like mindset.

As for the JW’s, it soon came to my attention, apart from their continuous attempts at false prophecy as much of Christianity does, was that the date 1914 was false. 1914 is based off of the destruction of Jerusalem that happened in 597. According to Jehovah’s Witnesses, the date is 607 B.C.E. as according to most of Christianity. Evidence proves 597 was the true date as proven by science.

Concerning general Christianity, the conflict of “inspiration” concerning verses of the bible has been a constant eye opening experience. Since the bible says that “god” is not the author of confusion, this conflict shouldn’t even exist. This has been a single brick in the whole foundation that brought me to being an atheist.

Then there’s the whole concept of The Great Flood. First, the flood waters. Too much salt water would kill fresh water fish. Too much fresh water would kill salt water life. Second, the vegetation. As long as the flood had lasted, the vegetation would have been killed. As a Christian friend mentioned, six months is the least amount of time for vegetation to grow back. Who can wait six months to eat again? How about the herbivores? Third, animal life on the boat itself.

At 8.7 million animals having been cataloged, 6.5 million are land animals. Following what is given towards the end of Genesis chapter 6 and use the two by two, then there’d be 13 million animals on the boat. Who has the time to gather 13 million animals from all over the world along with the food required for them to eat in 7 days according to Genesis 7?

When I had seen the video by The Thinking Atheist on the Flood story, these were some of the points brought up and truly made me think. Along with this that the carnivores would also have needed something eat so the possibility of no more herbivores would also have been good.

Lastly, with the constant expansion of the universe, there is continually less and less where “god” can hide. If biblical creation had been true, the universe would be largely smaller then what it is now. Rocks would also be younger than they are now.

As an atheist having grown up in the church and Christianity in general, I have come to my freedom through the benefit of the internet. The internet has benefited me with great freedom from providing the information necessary to break free from religion. For this I am grateful and will use it as a continual source for my growth as an individual and to help those around me.

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THE SMARTY PANTS TEST

LETS SEE HOW YOU DO . . . THIS IS NOT EASY!!

When it says you only have 8 seconds to answer the question, they aren't kidding!

Re-taking the test mixes up the questions so you can't gain anything there.

This is VERY FAST, so be prepared. 

You only have 8 seconds for each question.

Click on the Smartorstoopid below and have fun:

Smartorstoopid

Undecided

As I have been looking around for a place to live around San Diego, I have to the realization that I would have to roommate with someone when I first get there seeing as how my current pay would be insufficient for the rent that is even just a minimum around the area that I am looking at moving to. Still looking at moving down there in the time frame decided. Would have to apply for unemployment once I get there if I am unable to find a job within 3 months upon arrival.

On a separate note, during my look into my family history, I have found that I have a Cherokee ancestor. When I am able to get down to who, I would then be able to find my tribal number. That’s what I have been told. The process will reveal how far I will be able to take it. It has been starting to look like it is about four or five generations back. If able to retrieve and qualify for a tribal number, than I will be able to focus more sufficiently I suppose.

Granted, during the time I have remaining here in Vincennes, IN I will be able to continue to search. Just hoping that I will be able to find out more info before I go to where the river takes me.

Have been thinking about going about getting me camping gear in that I may be able to make more of a journey down. Dunham’s Sports is the closest to an REI here but I have not been inside as of yet. Want to in order to see what it is that I am able to purchase from there. Though I am really not sure what kind of outdoor supply chain may exist down in the San Diego area.

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Quote of The Day by Dianne Feinstein

Male or Female: This has got to grab hold of 'your dignity' one way or another and realize it is being shaken by a Devil.

Quote of the day by Dianne Feinstein..........

Dianne Feinstein: "All vets are mentally ill in some way and government should prevent them from owning firearms."

Yep, - she really said it on Thursday in a meeting in front of the Senate Judiciary Committee...

and the quote below from the LA Times is priceless. Sometimes even the L.A. Times gets it right.
Kurt Nimmo: "Senator Feinstein insults all U.S. Veterans as she flays about in a vain attempt to save her anti-firearms bill."
Quote of the Day from the Los Angeles Times:

"Frankly, I don't know what it is about California , but we seem to have a strange urge to elect

really obnoxious women to high office.
I'm not bragging, you understand, but no other state, including Maine , even comes close.

When it comes to sending left-wing dingbats to Washington , we're Number One.

There's no getting around the fact that the last time anyone saw the likes of Barbara Boxer, Dianne Feinstein,

Maxine Waters, and Nancy Pelosi,

they were stirring a cauldron when the curtain went up on 'Macbeth'.
The four of them are like jackasses who happen to possess the gift of blab.

You don't know if you should condemn them for their stupidity or simply marvel at their ability to form words."
Columnist Burt Prelutsky,
Los  Angeles Times

Be sure to forward this to all of the “mentally ill” vets you know.

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San Diego

Having come to the conclusion that San Diego will be my goal for living in the future, I realize that I have given myself time to prepare for such a trip, or journey, depending on the outlook. Moving forward, planning what needs to take place will be easy but somewhat challenging, though starting will be the hardest. A foundation must be laid of course in order to have something to build upon. What will be my cornerstone?

Though California has a lot to offer as a state, San Diego as a city and a county has it’s own stuff to offer within itself. Being a city alone with various cultures, ideas, and many “types” among many other things, that’s what it gives as a city among an ocean of gems.

I am thinking of starting at mission beach, though downtown San Diego would have a better option of resource. A beach doesn’t really seem like a good spot to really start a life, but with the intention of starting things off right, a sight of a beginning where I was first introduced to San Diego years before I went to boot camp for the Marine Corps.

Which brings to the second destination, the airport. The one thing that I could see from the window of the barracks that my platoon shared with many others. Many times, looking out the window, I would think how easy it would be to just go down the stairs, jump the fence, and just sneak on somehow on an aircraft heading anywhere. Getting onto the aircraft wasn’t important, being it through the wheel well or somehow something similar. But, in one way, I was looking at my future because the MOS I had chosen was Aviation Electronics. The style of aircraft wasn’t on any fixed wing but on a helicopter by Sikorsky called an CH-53D, a helicopter that has been decommissioned for a while now.

Planning with a good foundation would be good but without a cornerstone, it would be pointless. So in starting with this, I am sure it will be a good year till I make it to my destination.

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The Three Places

The three places that have been on my mind lately have been Miami, Phoenix, and San Diego. Though in my mind I enjoy winter and what comes with it, the physical attraction to a warm place has started to become something unavoidable. At some point in the future, I would like to move to one of the formerly mentioned places.

What the attraction is, that I have been to two ( San Diego and Phoenix) but have always wanted to go to one (Miami) to experience what it had to offer like the other two. In San Diego, the attraction that draws me is Mission Beach, though that may be because it is the few things that stays constant of what I remember about San Diego. As for Phoenix, just the thought of exploring more of what it is apart from the airport and hotels, getting to know what it is on a deeper level. Miami holds the most to what explorative nature there is to see. As never having been there but hearing about it has made it a bit bigger than what it may actually be.

Though I know that all things, places, and people hold a good and bad side, the calling to see what it is to develop my own opinion gets greater and greater. It may be at least a year before I am even able to consider such a move, the challenge has been set in my mind. Calling from the shadows, whispers to me in my dreams. Futures aren’t set in stone and shift like the sand.

The trip to any three would be great to take video of, with the bus rides and the waiting in bus terminals. Greyhound has become my best option at this point. Only question to be asked, what should I do once I get down there? A job at any three would be the first choice. After that, what ever offers itself to be explored.

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CROW KILLS

Researchers for the Massachusetts Turnpike Authority found over 200 dead crows near greater Boston recently, and there was concern that they may have died from Avian Flu. A Bird Pathologist examined the remains of all the crows, and, to everyone's relief, confirmed the problem was definitely NOT Avian Flu. The cause of death appeared to be vehicular impacts. 

However, during the detailed analysis it was noted that varying colors of paints appeared on the bird's beaks and claws. By analyzing these paint residues it was determined that 98% of the crows had been killed by impact with trucks, while only 2% were killed by an impact with a car.

MTA then hired an Ornithological Behaviorist to determine if there was a cause for the disproportionate percentages of truck kills versus car kills.

The Ornithological Behaviorist very quickly concluded the cause: when crows eat road kill, they always have a look-out crow in a nearby tree to warn of impending danger. They discovered that while all the lookout crows could shout "Cah", not a single one could shout "Truck." Absolutely amazing!