kBOY wrote: “Unfortunately for many, there are avid followers of their faith, and then there are rabid ones.”
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One of my closest friends here in Salt Lake City is a devout Mormon. He is very knowledgeable, well read, and well versed. He openly boasts about winning debates and converting people. He wins because that is what he has practiced and done all his life. Our friendship has continued for forty years without either one of us giving an inch.
Since he always wins with great scriptural knowledge I resort to ‘alternative facts/tactics:’
I’ll say, “The Spirit is with those who don’t know. The scripture says in Kena Upanishad II.3 --- He by whom it is not known.......knows it. He by whom it is known.......knows it not. It is not known by those who know it. It is known by those who do not know it.”
My friend always retorts, “I don’t recognize those wishy-washy scriptures.”
I’ll say, “It’s okay that you don’t recognize them since knowing doesn’t matter anyway.”
The conversation ends with smirks and a “What’s the point?”
Neither one of us try to enforce an authority trip on the other with ultimatums. At least we have that much respect for each other which preserves the friendship.
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One of my closest friends here in Salt Lake City is a devout Mormon. He is very knowledgeable, well read, and well versed. He openly boasts about winning debates and converting people. He wins because that is what he has practiced and done all his life. Our friendship has continued for forty years without either one of us giving an inch.
Since he always wins with great scriptural knowledge I resort to ‘alternative facts/tactics:’
I’ll say, “The Spirit is with those who don’t know. The scripture says in Kena Upanishad II.3 --- He by whom it is not known.......knows it. He by whom it is known.......knows it not. It is not known by those who know it. It is known by those who do not know it.”
My friend always retorts, “I don’t recognize those wishy-washy scriptures.”
I’ll say, “It’s okay that you don’t recognize them since knowing doesn’t matter anyway.”
The conversation ends with smirks and a “What’s the point?”
Neither one of us try to enforce an authority trip on the other with ultimatums. At least we have that much respect for each other which preserves the friendship.