The summer is here, at last!
Soon almost everyone will be celebrating the Queen's Jubilee.
I remember the 1977 Jubilee, there were street parties everywhere, streets were closed and food and drink served to the children by adults.
Where we live now will not have a street party but we will be having a BBQ with friends.
Sunday, May 27, 2012
Sunday, April 22, 2012
Happy Saint Georges Day!
Happy Saint Georges Day, everyone!
Today is the Saint's Day of St George, the Patron Saint of England.
The legend of Saint Georges Day is shrouded in myth and mystery.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St_Georges_Day
By the way, it is also the 30th anniversary of the launch of the ZX Spectrum computer. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ZX_Spectrum
Today is the Saint's Day of St George, the Patron Saint of England.
The legend of Saint Georges Day is shrouded in myth and mystery.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St_Georges_Day
By the way, it is also the 30th anniversary of the launch of the ZX Spectrum computer. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ZX_Spectrum
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
No Easter service?
Most Christian churches had special Easter services recently to celebrate or mark the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.
The Mormon church had an advertising campaign to tell the world that Mormons are Christians.
The Mormon Church remembered to fund an advertising campaign but according to latest reports from the pews, the vast majority of Mormon wards/branches forgot to have special Easter services and/or hardly commemorated this special event in the Christian calender.
Which is probably why the Mormon church has to keep telling people that it really is a Christian church...
The Mormon church had an advertising campaign to tell the world that Mormons are Christians.
The Mormon Church remembered to fund an advertising campaign but according to latest reports from the pews, the vast majority of Mormon wards/branches forgot to have special Easter services and/or hardly commemorated this special event in the Christian calender.
Which is probably why the Mormon church has to keep telling people that it really is a Christian church...
Tuesday, April 03, 2012
Snowing, again
Yes, preparations for spring and summer in the UK are somewhat curtailed, because the winter has come back!
7 or more inches of snow in Aviemore, Scotland, and even a couple of inches overnight, here in the English Midlands.
And soon I get to walk 2 miles to work! Yay, me!
7 or more inches of snow in Aviemore, Scotland, and even a couple of inches overnight, here in the English Midlands.
And soon I get to walk 2 miles to work! Yay, me!
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
Summer is on the way
The Canada Geese are still flying over, making their way back over the Atlantic from Canada.
You hear them go, and know winter is almost here. You hear them come back and you know that summer is almost here. It is a truly evocative sound.
I saw one stood on the roof of the hospital last night as the sun was setting.
I hope it will be a good summer, but I fear it will not be. We have had a hot, dry spell and the rivers are starting to run very low. So low that the River Severn river cruises in the town of Shrewsbury have been cancelled as the river is too shallow.
You hear them go, and know winter is almost here. You hear them come back and you know that summer is almost here. It is a truly evocative sound.
I saw one stood on the roof of the hospital last night as the sun was setting.
I hope it will be a good summer, but I fear it will not be. We have had a hot, dry spell and the rivers are starting to run very low. So low that the River Severn river cruises in the town of Shrewsbury have been cancelled as the river is too shallow.
Saturday, March 24, 2012
More on Mitt Romney, double-edged sword for Mormonism?
Is Mitt Romney a double-edged sword for Mormonism?
Whilst on the one hand, the old adage is: "No publicity is bad publicity" but does that always hold true.
Because on the other hand, for every positive aspect of Mormonism that comes up there other others that might give non-Mormons (and, truth to tell, some Mormons) food for thought.
What kinds of things am I thinking about: The fact that some rather dubious MLMs are based in Utah and are controlled by Mormons. (Along with some legit MLMs based in Utah, too, before anyone thinks me prejudiced) Mountain Meadows Massacre, the fact that Brigham Young decreed that any mixed race couple and their children should be hacked to death, that Mormons preach (or preached) that Black people had been less valiant in the pre-existence, siding neither with God or Satan, that Joseph Smith took many married lovers and had a Jeffs-style interest in very young girls and so on and on and on.
Romney has shown himself to be a total waste. No real man would put a dog on the top of a speeding car and travel with it there for mile after terrifying mile until the dog was so psychologically traumatised that it fouled itself in fear.
Do Mormons who sing the praise of Mitt really think that a man of that failed moral calibre is a fit and proper person to be the leader of the United States of America?
Whilst on the one hand, the old adage is: "No publicity is bad publicity" but does that always hold true.
Because on the other hand, for every positive aspect of Mormonism that comes up there other others that might give non-Mormons (and, truth to tell, some Mormons) food for thought.
What kinds of things am I thinking about: The fact that some rather dubious MLMs are based in Utah and are controlled by Mormons. (Along with some legit MLMs based in Utah, too, before anyone thinks me prejudiced) Mountain Meadows Massacre, the fact that Brigham Young decreed that any mixed race couple and their children should be hacked to death, that Mormons preach (or preached) that Black people had been less valiant in the pre-existence, siding neither with God or Satan, that Joseph Smith took many married lovers and had a Jeffs-style interest in very young girls and so on and on and on.
Romney has shown himself to be a total waste. No real man would put a dog on the top of a speeding car and travel with it there for mile after terrifying mile until the dog was so psychologically traumatised that it fouled itself in fear.
Do Mormons who sing the praise of Mitt really think that a man of that failed moral calibre is a fit and proper person to be the leader of the United States of America?
Monday, March 12, 2012
Is a Mormon candidate for president good or bad for the Mormon Church?
Mitt Romney as a presidential candidate is a two-edged sword for the Mormon Church.
On the one hand it gives Mormons the opportunity to discuss their faith, yet on the other hand it creates problems, rather than opportunities, at the same time.
"So, let me see... your church believes in Baptism for the dead, yet a number of Mormons keep putting the names of famous dead people from history forward as names to be baptised? They go through lists of famous disasters like the sinking of the Titanic and of awful, wicked events like the Holocaust and events like the Mountain Meadows Massacre and put those names forward for baptism?"
"By the way, is it true your church was racist up until at least 1978, that it believed that black skinned people were cursed, as they had been less valiant that white people in the pre-existence?
"And didn't Brigham Young preach that mixed marriages were not only immoral, but should invoke an automatic death sentence for both parties?"
When confronted with such information the average Mormon will say: "You have been listening to horrible, evil anti-Mormons!" not wanting to believe that such information is true.
Yet it is true. So, the candidacy of Mitt Romney not only helps other people to learn about the history of the Mormon Church, it can teach its members something about the history of the Mormon Church. Is that a good or a bad thing for the Mormon church and for the individual members?
The Mormon Church should have an historical Truth and Reconciliation Committee to look at the history of the Mormon Church, warts and all. That is what it needs. But it is the last thing the current or future leadership of the Mormon Church wants. Which is a pity.
On the one hand it gives Mormons the opportunity to discuss their faith, yet on the other hand it creates problems, rather than opportunities, at the same time.
"So, let me see... your church believes in Baptism for the dead, yet a number of Mormons keep putting the names of famous dead people from history forward as names to be baptised? They go through lists of famous disasters like the sinking of the Titanic and of awful, wicked events like the Holocaust and events like the Mountain Meadows Massacre and put those names forward for baptism?"
"By the way, is it true your church was racist up until at least 1978, that it believed that black skinned people were cursed, as they had been less valiant that white people in the pre-existence?
"And didn't Brigham Young preach that mixed marriages were not only immoral, but should invoke an automatic death sentence for both parties?"
When confronted with such information the average Mormon will say: "You have been listening to horrible, evil anti-Mormons!" not wanting to believe that such information is true.
Yet it is true. So, the candidacy of Mitt Romney not only helps other people to learn about the history of the Mormon Church, it can teach its members something about the history of the Mormon Church. Is that a good or a bad thing for the Mormon church and for the individual members?
The Mormon Church should have an historical Truth and Reconciliation Committee to look at the history of the Mormon Church, warts and all. That is what it needs. But it is the last thing the current or future leadership of the Mormon Church wants. Which is a pity.
Thursday, March 01, 2012
Thursday, February 23, 2012
How long will it be before some Mormon "does the work" for Whitney Houston?
How long will it be before some Mormon "does the work" for Whitney Houston?
Yes, indeed! How long will it be before some Mormon decides to "do the work" for Whitney Houston?
Of course, prior to 1978 no decent, Brigham Young fearing Mormon would have even dared to think about having to work done for a "Black" person.
In fact, an otherwise decent young Mormon who seemed to have amassed a collection of Mormon FPRs (this was in pre-Internet days) would regale people with how a white looking Mormon was declined a position in the LDS Church because one of the other priesthood holders was warned by the voice of God that he should not get the calling.
It turned out, she would tell everyone, that this was the right cause of action because when they went back over many years, they found out that this man had a single "Black" ancestor, so was not worthy of either being given the calling or even of holding the priesthood. Why? Because having even one drop of "Black" blood precluded him from full membership of the LDS church.
Oddly enough, I have not heard that FPR since 1978. And, in accordance with the habits of Mormonism, I doubt if she remembers telling that story, which she told gleefully at Seminary, Institute, Firesides, or in F&T meeting.
Anyone else hear that FPR? Any other FPRs that you would like to share?
Yes, indeed! How long will it be before some Mormon decides to "do the work" for Whitney Houston?
Of course, prior to 1978 no decent, Brigham Young fearing Mormon would have even dared to think about having to work done for a "Black" person.
In fact, an otherwise decent young Mormon who seemed to have amassed a collection of Mormon FPRs (this was in pre-Internet days) would regale people with how a white looking Mormon was declined a position in the LDS Church because one of the other priesthood holders was warned by the voice of God that he should not get the calling.
It turned out, she would tell everyone, that this was the right cause of action because when they went back over many years, they found out that this man had a single "Black" ancestor, so was not worthy of either being given the calling or even of holding the priesthood. Why? Because having even one drop of "Black" blood precluded him from full membership of the LDS church.
Oddly enough, I have not heard that FPR since 1978. And, in accordance with the habits of Mormonism, I doubt if she remembers telling that story, which she told gleefully at Seminary, Institute, Firesides, or in F&T meeting.
Anyone else hear that FPR? Any other FPRs that you would like to share?
Monday, February 20, 2012
Here's a Question! Was Whitney Houston's Voice wasted as a talent?
Obviously, her talent was wasted by the damned fools who introduced her to illegal drugs and the idiot enablers who help keep her addicted to various chemicals and drugs over the years, both legal and illegal.
But here's a more fundamental point: Was Whitney's voice and vocal talents wasted by the music she was asked to perform?
Should Whitney have been directed into the realms of classical music? Of opera instead of popera? Or of Gospel music?
What do you think? Please leave a comment.
But here's a more fundamental point: Was Whitney's voice and vocal talents wasted by the music she was asked to perform?
Should Whitney have been directed into the realms of classical music? Of opera instead of popera? Or of Gospel music?
What do you think? Please leave a comment.
Saturday, February 18, 2012
How to counter Mormon Baptism for the Dead
To some people the Mormon doctrine of Baptism for the Dead is of no importance. They beleive that as it is a fake created by Joseph Smith, that it doesn't matter.
However, for some people it matters very much. They feel it is an insult to not only their dead ancestors but also to the family.
Others might wonder why the Mormon Church should benefit from the misdeeds of some of its own members.
For example, Mormons,some disguised as Indians, murdered an entirely innocent wagon train of settlers in Mountain Meadows. Should the Mormon Church profit from having their murder victims baptised for the dead?
And in Germany some Mormons sided with the Nazis and reported where Jewish families were hiding. They even reported on members of the German Resistance movement causing them to be taken away and executed. Once again, the questions remains, should the Mormon Church be allowed to profit from the misdeeds of some of its membership?
I think not.
How, therefore, can baptism for the dead be countered in a theological way? If you are an active member of a religious group you can approach your church elders or leaders and ask them to organise a special ceremony to de-baptise the victim of baptism for the dead, or necrodunking as some critics term this practice.
If you do not regularly attend a church you might like to take the following prayer and change it to suit your own particular faith's concept of God:-
"Lord, please hear my prayer. The Mormon Church has baptised for the dead members of my family, my clan or other people that I feel connected to by reason of tribe, culture or faith. Lord, I feel that this baptism for the dead is an insult to not only them, but also to myself and other members of my family, my clan and my culture.
"Therefore, Lord, I am asking you to please revoke the effects of this baptism for the dead and set it aside as being an unwarranted intrusion and an insult."
You can then finish the payer in the fashion appropriate to your faith.
If you are an atheist, you can alter this to remove any religious reference and instead make it into a prayer to the Universe.
If you like this idea, please forward this blog post to as many people as you feel would find comfort, release and peace from being able to enact this idea.
However, for some people it matters very much. They feel it is an insult to not only their dead ancestors but also to the family.
Others might wonder why the Mormon Church should benefit from the misdeeds of some of its own members.
For example, Mormons,some disguised as Indians, murdered an entirely innocent wagon train of settlers in Mountain Meadows. Should the Mormon Church profit from having their murder victims baptised for the dead?
And in Germany some Mormons sided with the Nazis and reported where Jewish families were hiding. They even reported on members of the German Resistance movement causing them to be taken away and executed. Once again, the questions remains, should the Mormon Church be allowed to profit from the misdeeds of some of its membership?
I think not.
How, therefore, can baptism for the dead be countered in a theological way? If you are an active member of a religious group you can approach your church elders or leaders and ask them to organise a special ceremony to de-baptise the victim of baptism for the dead, or necrodunking as some critics term this practice.
If you do not regularly attend a church you might like to take the following prayer and change it to suit your own particular faith's concept of God:-
"Lord, please hear my prayer. The Mormon Church has baptised for the dead members of my family, my clan or other people that I feel connected to by reason of tribe, culture or faith. Lord, I feel that this baptism for the dead is an insult to not only them, but also to myself and other members of my family, my clan and my culture.
"Therefore, Lord, I am asking you to please revoke the effects of this baptism for the dead and set it aside as being an unwarranted intrusion and an insult."
You can then finish the payer in the fashion appropriate to your faith.
If you are an atheist, you can alter this to remove any religious reference and instead make it into a prayer to the Universe.
If you like this idea, please forward this blog post to as many people as you feel would find comfort, release and peace from being able to enact this idea.
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
An appeal for funds for Notamormon
Good day. I have hesitated to make this request for some time, but, I have decided that the time has come when it has to be made.
The computer I use to run my Notamormon blog is now somewhat elderly in the terms of the ages of computers.
It is now over five years old and does require either changing for a newer model or at the very least it needs some new parts. a better cooling fan, for example.
However, Matt's day job is not paying what it should (I have not had a pay rise in six years, for one reason or another) and so upgrading or replacing my old HP Computer is not possible at present.
Which is where the loyal readers of Notamormon come in. Would you, please, be able to donate a modest sum of money to the Matt's Notamormon New Computer Appeal Fund?
I am not asking for a vast sum of money from everyone. If everyone who can could just make a modest donation of four or five Dollars, then that would be marvellous.
The donation button is on the upper right of the Notamormon blog. I am not asking for one large, generous donation, just a number of modest or small donations, please.
The computer I use to run my Notamormon blog is now somewhat elderly in the terms of the ages of computers.
It is now over five years old and does require either changing for a newer model or at the very least it needs some new parts. a better cooling fan, for example.
However, Matt's day job is not paying what it should (I have not had a pay rise in six years, for one reason or another) and so upgrading or replacing my old HP Computer is not possible at present.
Which is where the loyal readers of Notamormon come in. Would you, please, be able to donate a modest sum of money to the Matt's Notamormon New Computer Appeal Fund?
I am not asking for a vast sum of money from everyone. If everyone who can could just make a modest donation of four or five Dollars, then that would be marvellous.
The donation button is on the upper right of the Notamormon blog. I am not asking for one large, generous donation, just a number of modest or small donations, please.
Sunday, February 12, 2012
A website you might like to check out
http://www.monergism.com
They have a link to Notamormon on their site.
Thank you for that link. Most kind of you! God Bless you!
They have a link to Notamormon on their site.
Thank you for that link. Most kind of you! God Bless you!
Friday, February 10, 2012
RFM needs donations
RFM needs donations, this is because the site is now so busy that it is starting to cost Eric a lot of money. And that's not fair.
www.rfm.org and look for the Paypal button so you can make your own donation.
www.rfm.org and look for the Paypal button so you can make your own donation.
Monday, February 06, 2012
At last! ExMormon sticker and notice designs are available here!
Several months ago I promised that some designs for ex-Mormon stickers and notices would be available.
Due to circumstances beyond my control this has not been possible to put into action until very recently.
But now, they are available! And here are the first designs. You can use them on websites or print them out for use on the door of your home if you are pestered by Mormons and/or other religious callers.
Please enjoy them!
Due to circumstances beyond my control this has not been possible to put into action until very recently.
But now, they are available! And here are the first designs. You can use them on websites or print them out for use on the door of your home if you are pestered by Mormons and/or other religious callers.
Please enjoy them!
Sunday, January 29, 2012
Monday, January 16, 2012
Mormonism Promises much, gives so little
Mormonism promises so much and gives so little. Or so it seems to me.
The strange thing about Mormonism is that it seems to vary so much from one ward to another, from one branch to another and from one stake to another and one district to another.
In general in most churches everyone knows what the theology is and if you do not like the theology, well, in theory, you can attend a different church. If a Baptist becomes a Methodist, if a Methodist decides to join the Church of England, nobody seems to mind so much.
But if a Mormon decides he or she wants to become a Methodist -for example- on, dear! It's Mormon Church Court time!
Why? Is it the loss of tithing receipts from that member that bothers the Mormon church so much?
The strange thing about Mormonism is that it seems to vary so much from one ward to another, from one branch to another and from one stake to another and one district to another.
In general in most churches everyone knows what the theology is and if you do not like the theology, well, in theory, you can attend a different church. If a Baptist becomes a Methodist, if a Methodist decides to join the Church of England, nobody seems to mind so much.
But if a Mormon decides he or she wants to become a Methodist -for example- on, dear! It's Mormon Church Court time!
Why? Is it the loss of tithing receipts from that member that bothers the Mormon church so much?
Thursday, January 12, 2012
Update
There's been a very unusual winter here. We have had no snow at all here, where I live.
Hardly any frosts, either. The rose trees are still blooming with last year's roses, bulbs are coming up two months early.
Is it global warming or a natural variation? Who knows? Who can say?
The Met Office is predicting a bout of colder weather over the next several days and the next couple of weeks.
We shall see what happens.
Hardly any frosts, either. The rose trees are still blooming with last year's roses, bulbs are coming up two months early.
Is it global warming or a natural variation? Who knows? Who can say?
The Met Office is predicting a bout of colder weather over the next several days and the next couple of weeks.
We shall see what happens.
Saturday, December 31, 2011
Happy New Year, Everyone!
I know there has been some pretty nasty s**t going down for some people who read this blog.
I just hope everyone has a better 2012 than they could have hoped for!
I just hope everyone has a better 2012 than they could have hoped for!
Monday, December 26, 2011
Oh, dear! Some presents did not arrive, thanks to Yodel!
The Yodel delivery company has caused much angst and heartache by managing to not deliver many presents and food orders for Christmas!
This story tells you all about it and what you can do about it if it has impacted upon you:
http://thatschristmas.blogspot.com/2011/12/dont-yell-for-yodel.html
This story tells you all about it and what you can do about it if it has impacted upon you:
http://thatschristmas.blogspot.com/2011/12/dont-yell-for-yodel.html
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