I was going to say something

about this post,

but Sarahcuda already beat me to it. I can't improve on that, really.

Just admit it Kevin.

You'd rather not be at church, and you think Apostle Dallin H. Oaks is full of crap. Your basic thesis seems to be that church would be a lot better without that whole "church" thing.

There used to be a time when what you do would be called rude.

May your ward members be more charitable toward your failings than you are to theirs.

Delete from Your Bookmarks

Let me just recognize that the Bloggernacle is a mingling of self-absorption and egos gone wild. Seeing posts that are actually designed to help people live the gospel and do charitable service would shock pretty much everyone (and then they would retreat to the safety of posts about how much better they are than the average Mormon). Like it or not, that’s the way it is overall. There are, however, a few topics that find too much play that have little to do with the Gospel whatsoever. Here are my top picks:

1. Why the average Mormon is wrong about the interpretation of Scripture.

2. gaymarriageabortionpropeightsarahpalinweworshipobamainsteadofjesusdeathtoscouting

3. Look at how nuanced I am! I'm so nuanced! (Cue comments: It's amazing how nuanced you are! Followed by Steve Evans banning anyone who points out the emperor has no clothes).

4. Graduate students who accept any form of government welfare will burn in hell. (Of course, being a bigoted and judgmental jerk gets you a ticket to the Celestial Kingdom).

5. Let's speculate wildly in our zeal without knowledge about (the next apostle, multiple mortal probations, the second coming, etc.)

This is only a start, but if the Bloggernacle would abandon posts like these, it would be an infinitely better place (of course, that would require permafrosters and comet-taters to be self-aware and willing to improve themselves, rather than constantly acting like dogs returing to their own vomit.)

Apparently, Christ was neither ethical nor loving.

There's nothing too objectionable about this post, other than some vague self-righteous posturing and the problem of treating McConkie as the final authority on doctrine (but hey - better McConkie, who was actually an Apostle, then any of the lowlights in the 'Nacle who think they should be Apostles).

However, this comment was particularly interesting:

vegetarianism as a higher, healthier, more economical, ethical, and loving dietary choice

Someone better tell Jesus about that! He ate fish all the time! He even ate fish after being resurrected!!! (Luke 24:40 - 43). How dare he not follow the more ethical and loving way. Shame on him!

Dave asks the hard question.

That is an excellent question, Dave.

The answer is simple, of course. Acknowledging comment #11 would mean everyone would have to re-examine their preconceptions using actual facts. No one in the Bloggernacle is mentally equipped to do that.

Nope, it's better to let everyone jump in, build their bunkers, and start lobbing bombs at whatever hobby horses take their fancy (Look at me - I can mix metaphors with the best of 'em!).

Comment #11 should be ashamed for thinking anyone at Testy & Stormy would care about the actual facts when there were (meaningless) points to be scored and (pointless) agendas to be furthered.

“Subject to information”

My mission president once said (paraphrasing) that I should get off my lazy butt and do some actual missionary work. But that's neither here nor there, since I was in a coma at the time, with all my limbs broken, but he thought I was faking it to get out of proselyting. Uhm - Where was I? . . . oh, yes: I now believe that bloggers in the 'Nacle dwarf politicians in their ability to misinform, deceive, and be overly self-absorbed narcissists.

I believe the following are absolutely true, and if you disagree with me, you're going to hell. There's nothing I can do about that. You'll just have to change your views.

1. My positions and ideas reflect an enlightened and well-considered view of reality, which causes me to despise my fellow humans.

2. My views arise from my capacity for accurate cynicism; opposing views arise from people’s capacity for self-deception.

3. I use all available tools for evaluating an issue (screwdriver, power drill, hacksaw, concrete shoes and a large body of water), while the people I disagree with rely mainly on the self-serving views of whatever 'Nacle clique they belong to.

4. LDS people don’t know what it means to follow the prophet.

5. The Church would be better off without members.

6. The Church’s position on homosexuality is founded on God.

7. Homosexuality is, and is therefore disapproved of by God.

8. An attitude of obedience and indifference to Church leaders is chosen by me - I do both at the same time.

9. Gay marriage is the most immediate threat to the existence of gravity. If Prop. 8 hadn't passed, we'd all be floating up towards the moon. Trust me on this.

10. The Church’s position on gay marriage is founded in the same kind of ignorance that informed Joseph Smith when he went into the grove to pray.

11. Every member of the Bloggernacle should be enlisted to stop talking about Prop. 8.

Seriously people. Give it a rest.

Julie Smith is a racist

I've said it before and I'll say it again: Julie Smith is a racist (her hatred toward Palin has also been an ugly, vile thing to behold, but that's a separate but related issue).

She's trying to cover for herself, though. Notice her most recent link on the T&S sidebar.

Sorry, Julie. Accusing others of being racist does not absolve you of your own bigotry.