Do you want to trust Mormon doctrine?

Following is a list of a few doctrines of Mormonism. Do you want to put your eternal trust in a church that teaches the following doctrines?

1. The true gospel was lost from the earth. Mormonism is its restoration (Mormon Doctrine, by Bruce R. McConkie, p. 635). They teach there was an apostasy and the true church ceased to exist on earth.
2. There are many gods (Mormon Doctrine, p. 163).
3. There is a mother god (Articles of Faith, by James Talmage, p. 443).
4. God used to be a man on another planet, (Mormon Doctrine, p. 321; Joseph Smith, Times and Seasons, vol. 5, p. 613-614; Orson Pratt, Journal of Discourses, vol. 2, p. 345; Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses, vol. 7, p. 333).
5. After you become a good Mormon, you have the potential of becoming a god, (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 345-347, 354).

If you want further information that the Mormons won't give you until you are very well-entrenched in their cult, then read more of this site. It is full of information about why Mormonism is nothing more than a clever, false, look-alike religion that cannot help you in your relationship with God.

From a friend who shall remain nameless because that's how scary the Mormon Church can be. This was just sent to me in a private message. 

"Jason, hope you don't mind if I message instead of just posting on your FB page. I used to be Mormon-grew up in the church and a lot of my friends/family are still Mormon. They know I'm out, but out of respect for their very strong religious beliefs I tend not to discuss religion or politics on my page. They know my pov and they know my political views. I don't want to argue because I'm pretty sure they have about as much potential of changing my mind as I have of changing theirs. Having said that, it's ABSOLUTELY a cult. Oh my god, there are websites devoted to the fallout from leaving the mormon church. It's not a religion-it's a total lifestyle and when you leave, your entire life literally changes. I'm not trying to be melodramatic or anything, but I lost friends when I left and I had to completely reevaluate how I lived my life. In a weird way, what I do and I how I live actually matters more now than it did when I was in the church. And no matter what mitt romney says, his membership in that church WILL impact how he runs the nation should he win the election. He'll say it won't, but his very beliefs will dictate every single decision he makes. I hope you don't mind me emailing you, but it's kind of a relief talking to someone non-family about it. You are absolutely right, Jason. I love my Mormon friends and family and I truly think they're good people, but I loathe that church."

Wonder why I'm talking about Mormons?

Maybe because 1 in 5 won't vote for one. 

Oh, and the "Liberal Media" won't touch Mitt Romney's family history with the Mormons, but I will.

Romney is a "Spooky Mormon Hell Dream"

 

Update: Courtesy our friends at glittersnipe...

Americans need to focus on the issues at hand, and not concern themselves with mental images of White House occupants running around in magic underpants while busting up liquor cabinets faster than Carrie Nation at a Kennedy wake in Hyannis Port.
Easter egg hunts and Christmas parties would certainly continue, however, at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. And, as a matter of fact, if the Grand Old Party has its way, there will be even more grand old parties at the White House; every May 15th, they’ll be kicking up their heels and clicking their milk cups in the Blue Room celebrating the day the resurrected John the Baptist, in the flesh, visited Joseph Smith 183 years ago. In Pennsylvania. That’s almost as nuts as people believing that a man named Jonah lived in a live whale for three days. Oh, wait a minute.
The fetes for Black History Month might not be as much fun as in years past (at least for the old folks) since according to 1 Nephi 12:23, people with dark skin are a “loathsome, and a filthy people, full of idleness and all manner of abominations.” In 1978, God had a change of heart and decided that he’s cool with black folks, and no longer sees them as “uncouth, uncomely” or “disagreeable.”  It seems God is forever changing his mind on issues and how he feels about people and reversing his policies.  Sound familiar?
Mormonism is a religion that, thanks to HBO’s Big Love and Broadway’s Book of Mormon, the average American is learning more about every day. And yet many citizens don’t know any Mormons personally. That is, they think they don’t. In fact, your deceased grandparents may be Mormons at this very moment via a ceremony of baptism-by-proxy. And this religious dispensation isn’t just for the goyim anymore: Think Bubbe and Zayde are immune from Mormonism post mortem? Not so fast: even Anne Frank’s a Mormon now. Oy, gevalt.  What’s next? People eating crackers and drinking grape juice at some sort of religious ceremony? Now that’s just crazy talk.
While many other Christian sects raise an eyebrow to some aspects of the Mormon-brand of Christianity, they’d be wise not to assume that all followers of Joseph Smith’s church are political sheep. Think all members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are voting for Governor Romney? Think again; the largest newspaper in the Mormon Mecca of Utah, the Salt Lake Tribune, has endorsed President Obama. Even the second most famous Mormon in the world, Marie Osmond, refused to endorse Romney last week when she appeared on CNN’s Piers Morgan show.

Read more here.

Mormon Meet And Greet:

Back in 2005, a theater group in Washington, D.C., thought it would be cool to remake the 1922 anti-LDS propaganda silent movie "Trapped by the Mormons," upping the camp factor by including polygamous zombie vampires to the mix.

The troupe, Cherry Red Productions, has since disbanded — but the folks behind the film have resurrected the film, posting it online as a tongue-in-cheek "warning" to anyone who would vote for Mitt Romney (who is Mormon, in case you forgot) for president.

"Mitt Romney is a Mormon," the website for the movie states, before launching into over-the-top invective: "And not just a Mormon. He’s a M-O-R-M-O-N right down to the quivery Mormon marrow in his horrible Mormon bones. His family is descended from Sonoran polygamists, for chrissake! Don’t know what that means? It means that… Mitt’s the most Mormon Mormon that ever was Mormon."

The original film followed the evil exploits of Isolde Keene, a menacing Mormon missionary (say that three times fast) who uses his mesmerizing powers to take over the will of young British women and compel them to become his brides in Utah. In the Cherry Red remake, Keene was played by New York "drag king" star Johnny Kat, and the filmmakers added the wrinkle that Keene’s hypnotic powers turned the ladies into zombie vampires.

The remake of "Trapped by the Mormons" will screen online now through election day.--

Sean P. Means, The Cricket

Early Voting Wrangle

The Texas Progressive Alliance reminds everyone that early voting is now under way as it brings you this week's roundup.

Off the Kuff has one more poll of Texas to discuss.  

BossKitty at TruthHugger has mixed feelings about the extravaganza of F1 Circuit of the Americas and what it's doing to the sleepy little community of Elroy and Cedar Creek -- which will see little benefit for many years -- in The Road to Elroy for F1 Wheeler Dealers. And why do corporations decide what news Americans need to hear and see? Why was such a significant news story first discovered on al-Jazeera: Foreign News and HuffPo Get What American News Media Misses. And after watching the talking heads, gotta share this: Hey ya’ll, we are NOT electing a President.

This week WCNews at Eye on Williamson posted about the "Wal-Mart-ization" of transportation in Texas: Profit, greed and ideology.  

CouldBeTrue of South Texas Chisme is just disgusted with Greg Abbott and his Republican cronies pandering to the people who want to force their religion on every American.

The passing of Sen. Mario Gallegos will set off a scramble to lay claim as his successor in the Texas Senate, writes PDiddie at Brains and Eggs.

Neil at Texas Liberal offered up a list of Green Party candidates on the ballot in Texas in 2012. It is at least worth a look to give Greens a thought as Texas Democrats offer another lackluster effort in 2012, and as our political system increasingly seems unable to deal with the most important questions of long-term job creation and climate change.

Libby Shaw writes about Rick Perry's latest mission: promoting Romney in Colorado. That should turn out real well for him. Check out Rick Perry To Go to Colorado to Promote Mitt Romney at TexasKaos.

Trick Or Treat Funnies

Remembering Big Tex

 A symbol of Texas died today.

Haters of the Fair will say,

"GOOD!"

"I'm glad he's dead."

"He got what he and all the other Riff Raff deserve..."

They'll line the streets in celebration just like a jihadist nation celebrates a terrorist attack.

"Burn the sum bitch down!"

"Bout time."

"Death to Big Tex Infidel!"

"The Fair's too expensive, anyway."



Lovers of the Fair will mark this day, they will morn, and they will remember.
They will remember the Texas Giant who greeted them each year for 60 years.
They'll post pictures of their children sitting under that big grin, eating a Fletcher's, drinking a lemonade, and remember the good times.
They're the ones who know that you can never destroy Big Tex, his memory remains.




Politicos will say it's an 'act of aggression' sanctioned by a Rick Perry led super majority.
They'll say that deregulation lead to the disaster, that if only we had more "women electricians" looking after Tex, this would have never been.
That this was clearly a "message" from the Tea Party for the liberal media to "back off" on Ted Cruz.

'This is how the cartel operates.'

"Big Gay Tex" had to go, he was stripping away our southern baptist value system, one blue jean leg tucked into boots and flaming gay shirt with scarf at a time.

Even the Mayor of Dallas was on hand to express his condolences and lend support.




A photo op of GIGANTIC proportions, Mike Rawling's vows to rebuild a faster, smarter, stronger, and more flame retardant "Big Tex".

Some reactions from around the state:

 Isn't it ironic? Don't you think? Is The symbolic gesture of Texas Hospitality up in a flash of flame and a puff of smoke a most disturbing omen or a representation of a decade of embarrassing policies that destroyed public education, indebted it's future generations and belittled and bemoaned it's working class (illegal aliens).....?

 Seeing Tex that way, charred me for life. 

Way too friendly and accepting of different types of folks to be a Republican.

 Tex was a pot smoking, treehugger for sure.

Goodbye Big Tex. Vaudeville is officially dead.

RIP Big Texas. They could bury you in the Dallas Cowboy stadium since they aren't using it for anything.

 And of course,

OH THE HUMANITY!!!

Even Tex chimed in, and created his own grief support group:

 HOWDY FOLKS! It's your ol' pardner, Big Tex, and I'm here to tell you that the smoke got me good but I'll be recovering and back bigger and better for my 61st birthday next year. Leave me a message 'cause it shore do help me heal faster!

https://www.facebook.com/bigtexgriefsupport

As for today, in all it's solemness, I say the end is nigh.
Surely this is an omen.
I don't want to live in a Texas without Tex,

and neither do you.


 

God, If You Let A Man Like That Go. . . .

I do a lot of driving in Dallas.

Passing the yard signs for Romney/Ryan, and Jeb Hensarling,  I shuttered to think what type of neighbors I have? I can't help but wonder if these folks are the "Seniors" in the area, or maybe there's some "Highland Park money" in east Dallas that I don't know about? Though their numbers are sparse, their presence is felt. What's not felt is the support for President Obama. 4 Years ago every other yard had an Obama sign in it, 2/3's of the cars on the road were covered in O's. In my hood -which consists of about 1500 homes- There are no Obama signs, no stickers. Barely a one...
If they're like me, they've decided to support the presidents' reelection without advertisement.
Living in today's Texas it's just not worth it. It's not worth the risk of having our tires slashed, our houses sprayed with bullets, or firebombed.
Thank you Texas Tea Party.
Thank you for all your good work...

I whipped into Racetrack to fill up. There was a car wreck in front of the station -pretty bad one- and an attendant outside emptying the trash cans. I hopped out and started to tend to the fuel,  I asked the attendant if anyone was hurt -fire and ambulance were on the scene- he said "no, don't look like it" The name on his shirt said "Robert." He was an African American man about my age(40), "thank the Lord nobody was injured" Robert said. I said 'yes, thank the Lord.'



Seeing the wreck and surveying the damage I uttered, 'insurance will take care of that, that's why they make us have it.' Robert nodded, we both agreed, cars were easier to replace than people.  If you've ever had your car damaged by someone else, and you've gone through the insurance process, then you realize how important it is for ALL of us to have it. Robert seemed to be on my wave.
I exclaimed, 'and that's why they should allow ALL of us have access to HEALTHCARE, as well!!!'
Robert looked at me and smiled.


 I popped the cap and began fueling, I told Robert from where I was standing, it seemed that the blood of our ancestors was enough of a price to guarantee affordable healthcare for all. He concurred and added, "my Brother and my Auntie both served in Iraq, when they came home, they never looked the same again..." "We can't let those who fight to protect our freedom, we can't let them down when they get back home." I agreed, those folks are 'serving and deserving,' I said,  'and those folks are the 47%.' The very people charged with keeping us safe abroad, are the ones who according to Mitt Romney,  "take no responsibility for their lives." Think about that.
Also, I couldn't help but be reminded of all the veterans benefits that have been blocked by the Republican congress during Obama's first term. Don't forget that.

The bell on the pump rang out, my credit card accepted, I was on my way.
I told Robert, 'Looks like WE know who we're voting for!' He laughed and continued to service the station. As I drove away I was reminded of a scene from the 1998 movie, Primary Colors.
Great movie.
(I mean really great. For me it's one to watch again and again.)

Our exchange reminded me of a scene from the Mike Nichols film.
Cut to a Krispy Kreme Doughnuts shop at night.
It's brilliantly lit with bright neon green and warm pink...  
Inside sits Gov. Stanton and a shop employee pouring his coffee, Danny.
Henry, the Governors aid, walks in with bad news...
You know the scene...

And these problems are nothing compared to what folks go through.

                Losing their jobs, losing their homes.

                Keep that in mind.

                Keep the folks in your mind.

                It's about them, isn't?

                It's about them. It's about history.

                That's truer for Susan than for me.

                It's always been about them.

                Like this fella, Danny Scanlon.

                He's worked every day since he was 14.

                Couldn't get insurance, couldn't get his leg fixed.

                Doesn't complain. Doesn't do any one any harm.

                Aching to do good.

                God, if you let a man like that go down. . . .

                you don't deserve to take up space on the planet.

                We won't let him go down.

This election isn't about billionaires and multimillionaires.
It's about the 'Roberts' and the 'Danny's' out there.
Don't let them go down.
Vote Obama!

The Weekly Wrangle

The Texas Progressive Alliance and this week's roundup are both certified 100% malarkey-free.

Off the Kuff takes a look at how many seats the Democrats are likely to pick up in the Legislature this November.  

BossKitty at TruthHugger sees the meningitis outbreak as another nail in the coffin, driven home by the right-wing corporate oligarchy's war on regulations and existing laws. Voters who don't put 2 and 2 together about the consequences of deregulation are allowing manufacturing shortcuts to hurt all of us. Deregulation mantras are bought and paid for by corporate greed: My Profit Is Worth More Than Your Safety. Yes, the government can help people, and until Democrats in Texas remind people of that, they'll keep losing.

And from WCNews at Eye on Williamson on that topic: Democratic success in Texas is tied to voters seeing government as on their side.

Mitt Romney's slight increase in polling popularity in the wake of the first debate is most attributable to single women, who apparently allowed his economic appeals to overcome their concerns about that whole War on Women thing. PDiddie at Brains and Eggs thinks that if President Obama doesn't make his case for a better economy, he's stupid.  

CouldBeTrue of South Texas Chisme wonders why so much of the drill baby drill energy is going out of our ports. Who's getting that energy?

Libby Shaw at Texas Kaos explains the Romney plan in terms even a child can understand, in Starving Big Bird, Children and the Poor. Check it out.