PBS special "The Mormons" made me furious!

[WASaBubbleButt 41]

I'd venture a guess that there isn't an organized religion around that doesn't have their own weirdness. But each person has a right to follow their path. There is enough info out there that if someone wants out they can get out. If some of the Colorado City Mormon women can find their way out, anyone can.

I'm not discounting the brainwashing, the man made rules, human interpretation that goes with it, but that holds true regardless of organized religion. I'm not referring to the personal relationship someone has with their God, I'm referring to the assorted nonsense. It's nonsense to those not within that particular organized religion but it's very real to those who choose to believe in it.

Some of the women that escaped the Colorado City Mormons are some of the strongest women I believe I have ever met. They got that from somewhere. All our life experiences mold us into the person we are today. Same holds true for those in organized religion. They get something out of it. My own Catholic upbringing forced me to take a good, long, hard look at the belief and I came to a point where I had to admit to myself that it was simply impossible. It made me think about my beliefs and what I could accept and what I knew was impossible. People typically avoid learning about their faith for a reason, if they knew the history and the details of their religion, we'd have a LOT more Wiccans and atheists out there.

Then there are a handful of people that the only thing keeping them from raping and harming others is a fear of hell. I *want* them to continue believing. I think most people don't need a God or require a God to be a good person in life but some need a little push and if a fear of hell does it for them, I'll take them to to their church.

There are lots of people that don't really believe but they are afraid to admit it. Pascal's Wager. With time they usually do come around but it's their choice. I don't think anyone should be pushed. When someone is questioning their belief the LAST place I send them to is an atheism board. They will push and push until the person is backed in a corner. Just like theists attempt the same thing. I send them to a Wicca board. That's pretty neutral and they are usually accepting of people regardless of their beliefs. An amazingly wonderful trait we should all recognize and follow.

I honestly don't care what people believe as long as they don't attempt to get their beliefs put into law. Then I'll come out fighting. But personal belief? Each person has the right. I don't have an ounce of respect for the belief, but that doesn't mean I can't respect the person. A person is not their belief, their belief is just one piece of the person. And it is usually a smaller piece of the person than they care to admit. Either way, it's their choice. Some need to create a God, some don't. To each his own.