Sure, but I was thinking of Hitler himself, who was raised Catholic. I don’t really consider the individual soldiers in the German Army; I’m sure most of them weren’t aware of what they were fighting for. As for most of Hitler’s SS thugs, I don’t know what their religious identities were. The problem I have with your definition of Christianity is that there are sects that elevate the Pope or Joseph Smith, for example, (I hope Ender can elaborate on his views) to the level of near-divinity. The Pope takes the title of “Holy Father”, which is only used in the Bible to refer to God himself.
Joseph Smith is certainly not elevated above humanity in Mormon teaching.
“Praise to the mannnnnn who communed with Jehova…” ( sang that many times as a child)
He is quoted as saying he even elevated himself above others. He said not even Jesus could match the work he had done (restoring the church).
Any firsthand citation on this one? Sounds like a secondhand quote from a reliable apostate. Can you point this out in something not called The Godmakers or some equally disreputable source?
Mormons most certainly elevate him, and I would know after 15 years from birth in the church. Active family with father who served as bishop and stake president. All my siblings have gone on missions. Religion breaks apart families. My parents will die thinking they failed me. They’ll die believing that them and my sisters will live on forever but that I’ll be in hell. It’s a sick and despressing reality.
Wow! 15 whole years! I’m 34, born in my church, and now have a fully developed frontal lobe. You will certainly find sources who can stake greater claims to authority, but you sir are not an authority on Mormonism at such a young age having left it. I bet I’ve read more anti-Mormon literature than you, and here I stand (actually I’m sitting on my couch, but still…), firm in my faith.
That’s the one reason I can say I hate religion. It has been the cause of a lot of sadness and pain for me. No matter how far I go in school, how much I help people or how good of a person I try to be each and every day, because I don’t believe Joseph Smith restored the church I will always be seen as the most ultimate failure in my families eyes. Religion cut me deep and I don’t forgive it for doing so.
Well, that’s a shame, because Mormonism promotes a greater moral of forgiveness. I thought atheists had the moral high ground in this discussion.
That said, I can understand how you feel hurt by your departure from the Church and how it’s affected your relationship with your family. You haven’t shared much, but I’m curious how cruel your family has been to you. I suspect they’re actually very accepting and loving towards you, even if you have strayed in their eyes. They may be disappointed, but I doubt you’ve been shunned in any way. If you have, then the fault is the people, not the religion.