Live and Let Live?

Question

Has this become a forgotten notion in our society these days? What happened to respecting each other's views/opinions, no matter what we all believe in?

I'm still young, so I don't know if it has always been this way, or if things have deteriorated over time, but we seem to live in a judgmental, close-minded world. When disagreement sparks, people take offense to it, for whatever reason. They feel that they're being attacked so they feel the need to put down others for what they believe in. They ridicule, criticize, and judge. Who is "they"? It's not just one group. It's society as a whole.

For example, I'm LDS (Mormon) and I've sometimes been told by others that I am not a Christian. I feel completely disrespected when I hear this, because I know who I believe in. I know what I am better than anyone else. We all know ourselves best.

Is it necessary to go around telling others what they are, and what they aren't?

Live and let live. No matter what you believe.

Catchmeifyoucan, thank you for your feedback, but I think you missed the point of my post entirely. You're turning this into a debate of whether or not Mormons are Christians, which, as I said, I believe I am. My intentions were to ask if we could just accept the differences in our beliefs.

We don't have to agree, but we can be respectful.

goto jashoper - I think that your story might be somewhat skewed. You said that LDS believe Joseph Smith to be the Savior? Well, as a lifelong LDS, we believe CHRIST to be the Savior, and the Lord. Our faith is centered around Jesus Christ himself, so I'm not sure I follow your story.

Thanks to everyone who has actually answered my question! There are a lot of great, insightful answers that I have enjoyed reading. To the few people who didn't answer and started criticizing my beliefs, I think you've proven my point for me. I could have just as easily not stated what my faith is and you probably would have never responded. But because I said I am LDS you felt the need to respond and tell me how 'wrong' I am. Like I said, if you don't disagree with me, that's fine, but don't tell me what I am/am not and please don't generalize against my fellow members.

If you believe something that makes you happy, good for you! I won't judge you for it. If it is important to you, that's all that matters

Don't get me wrong, folks. I'm not saying we shouldn't be able to EXPRESS our disagreements. You're right. It's free speech, but there is a huge difference between respectfully disagreeing and flat-out bashing a faith and its adherents.

Don't get me wrong, folks. I'm not saying we shouldn't be able to EXPRESS our disagreements. You're right. It's free speech, but there is a huge difference between respectfully disagreeing and flat-out bashing a faith and its adherents.

Answer 1

I totally 100 percent agree with you. This kind of thing has always been around but it either was not noticeable, kept behind closed doors(the open disrespect) or people had more manners when I was younger. We were taught to respect people and their differences.
There is too much that is allowed openly nowadays and, because of the way freedom of speech is allowed to be spoken, it stirs open hatred, and violence.
There is too much focus on peoples rights and there are no rights and considerations for those being disrespected etc. The same with crime..the criminals have too many rights..those who have been hurt have very few rights..in school..the students have more rights..the teachers have not as much. In the home the parents are not allowed to discipline their kids even with a slap or the kids are removed..yet the kids can do as they please to the parent.
The world has gone madmy mormon friend, and although I cannot agree with all that mormons teach I can say that I love you, respect you as a person, respect your right to choose what to believe..and that most mormons I have met are very kind and gentle people.
Satan is the ruler of this world..but I know that it will all end and we must hang on.
Haters etc do not want us to react nicely to them..they want us to stoop to their level.
Only God knows who is and who is not saved at the end..He looks to their heart.
May God Bless you.

Answer 2

Have you forgotten the 1st amendment? It guarantees a freedom of expression that is found in few other nations. It doesn't mean you need to listen, or even respect other opinions, but the right exists to express it.

Back to christian-mormon differences.

As a lds, you understand only that your church teaches from the Bible, BoM, PoGP, etc, and that Jesus was in fact not only a historical figure, but the physical Son of the Father - right?

This is where mormonism parts company with mainstream christianity: Christianity teaches the trinity is the one and the same, not three distinct individuals. The lds concept is easier to comprehend IMO.

The Book of Mormon vs the Bible: Christianity takes a dim view of any other writing that also claims to be scriptural canon - period. The BoM's attempt to placate that by stating it is "another testament" of Jesus Christ does not make it acceptable to christianity just because it said so. The Bible has been studied and dissected and libraries dedicated to it's composition, history and authorship for thousands of years, from both theological and scientific viewpoints.

The book of Mormon by contrast, has only been available since 1830, but has been also scrutinized by the same processes. The difference being that the BoM fails to live up to it's claims as history and authenticity.

That generally does not bother the mormon membership at large, as they simply blame that as a deception of satan. This concept invalidates and frustrates any further discussion, and in fact, discussion regarding the BoM "historicity" is discouraged with in the church.

I won't go into the Book of Abraham, but the same reasoning applies.

The schism between the two sects are stark and revealing. Adherents to either side can be forgiving, like you, or obnoxious and defiant. Others simply parrot back scriptural quotes they may or may not understand completely.

Bottom line is human nature and the anonymity of the internet. Religion is a big button that says "Don't Push Me!", and the usual response is a big finger pushing down.

Answer 3

Long ago I knew a baptised "Christian" that was considering converting to LDS. he went to the local church and sunday schools for a month. Then he was told that it was time for him to be "baptized". He responded that he was baptized years previously. They said well you need to be baptized that Joseph Smith is the the TRUE PROHET. He said no I don't, it is Jesus who is my saviour not Joseph Smith. They then told him okay, you're no longer welcome here and would not have anything more to do with him. It was that "spiritual snobbery" that turned him off to LDS.

Frankly though there are many good things about the church. They have their own welfare system for members in need. Generally speaking members are highly moral people (other than the pluralist men on "siring" ego trips) than the rest of society. Far less deceitful, adulterous, and other debaucheries found outside the church. Hard working, can with little exception be trusted at their word, an exceptional sense of community, and "pitching in" when a neighbor needs some hands. All around "decent and exemplary" human beings. The down side is there is a certain level of intoleration of non-conformity, some unusual and peculiar older traditions regarding clothing items and dress codes, the mandatory tithings, and unfortunately the exclusive "we are the only true religion" snobbery issue.
This is outside the church sometimes referred to as "Spiritual Narcissm".
While if you are a church member you are "A-Okay", if out of the church by many more materialistic oriented members (not all) viewed as being a lesser person or "not worthy". But they are one of the biggest "spiritual corporations" in the world and ever growing. While holding to many of the tenets of "The Teacher", the "we are the chosen people mentality" exhibited by a fair proportion of Mormons is definitely not "something Jesus would do".

Answer 4

That's a great theory. The practice is rather unrealistic though.

Most religions require their adherents to preach and convert non-believers. Anyone who is devout will do this.

People in this day and age have a tendency to believe they have the right to be offended, instead of the right to walk away (or change the channel, or not go see that particular movie or comedian).

Take faith out of the equation for a second. If you compare your life to that of a tribe in Africa, do you think that you have a better one? That's a judgement. It's human nature to compare what one has or does to another, and make a decision based on that comparison. Without that drive, society, culture, and the species would stagnate. There is, however, a positive and negative way to deal with this (just like everything else in life). It's unfortunate that the negative is the easy way, but it is.

The best way to deal with this? Live your life in a way that makes you happy. If other's pick up on this and respect you for it...great. If not, it doesn't really matter, because, your life should, ultimately, only matter to you.

Answer 5

Wow! Sorry to say,"Welcome to the World Now"! I agree with you,"Live and Let Live", is the best policy.People today are all trying to be in control of something,instead of controlling their tongue.These people belong to "The Committee of They",they said this and well they said that,but have no real opinion for themselves,because they depend on hear-say.I think that what you are talking about is a show that was on TV not too long ago about Mormons.The show brought out a belief that Mormons are kinda like Muslims,and that they did not believe that there was any other religion but theirs,and that anyone who was not a Mormon was going to hell.(something like that,I do not remember all the details).So I say,just be yourself and do not let the media or others control your faith and your thoughts.Peace!!!

Answer 6

Is this what Jesus did? No. He confronted religious leaders and told them they were wrong. He accepted prostitutes and tax collectors who were willing to forsake there ways and follow Him. Was Jesus afraid to say there was only one way to heaven? Was Jesus afraid to go to the cross to pay the penalty for sin? Live and let live is fine but it won't get you an eternity in heaven with the one true and living God. Mormons are not Christians because they don't trust in the death and resurrection of Christ for the forgiveness of sins. Mormons are not Christians because they believe they will go to a place where they will have many wives and become a god who keeps him women eternally pregnant. Do you know what you believe or have you just been raised this way? Do you really think you are good enough based on your own morality? Are there any archeological or historical back ups for the Book of Mormon? Please check into your religion and find out if what they believe is in the Bible. If it isn't then you may want to look further and figure out what is true and what is not before you call yourself a follower of Christ. Mormons are not followers of Christ they are followers of Joseph Smith and a doctrine that has no basis in truth.

Answer 7

There is a line that people cross. It is true to live and let live, unless what you are doing may cause harm to the greater population. In religion people should leave others alone, unless they are harming others or doing something illegal, such as marring off 11 year olds and such. But as a society, we must keep watch on others. If someone has aids, and they are knowing spreading it, then it is the responsibility of the people to stop that person. Live and let live, as long as people can do it responsible.

Answer 8

As a christian, I call myself thusly because I believe and follow Christ.

Would you say that He let others live and let live?

He shared the truth, even when others wanted to kill Him for it.

He also taught to love your enemies and to pray for them.

I will do the same. Where I see mistruth, I will speak out. My Lord commanded me to share the Good News of Jesus Christ.

There is a difference, though, between sharing the good news and accusing/judging/harassing or ridiculing others.

In the end, I will be responsible for what I've done here. Even in R&S.

Answer 9

You are right that others shouldn't judge or be critical of you no matter what you believe. This is 100% wrong and damaging to God's goal that Jesus stated, "This is my commandment: That you love one another so that your joy may be full!" I am a christian also, and I know that you are one, too. I have never met one other person (even in my own church) who sees exactly everything in regards to faith or anything else the same way that I do, but I fully believe that we should all trust God to be working in other people's hearts to teach them what is right and correct. And that's the purpose of this life. We should be patient, because it says that the spirit of God will guide us into all truth. Theology for the sake of being right pushes people away. Yes, I believe there is only one TRUTH and that TRUTH is God Himself. But I believe that only God knows all about Himself. Because He's way beyond all of our grasp. Even the greatest scholar will have things to learn for all eternity! God says that He alone is the Righteous Judge. I am not LDS, but I want you to know that I encourage you in your faith! You are my brother! The things we may have in common I rejoice in, and that which we don't see eye to eye on will be resolved some day! Because the Bible says, "He that began a good work in you will be faithful to COMPLETE until the day of Christ Jesus!" On the day we enter eternity, our "doctrines" will all be the same, because we will be in God's presence Himself and we will, as Paul says, "know Him even as we are known. We see through a glass darkly but then FACE TO FACE!" There will be no enmity, dischord, disrespect, but only genuine brotherly love and holiness in heaven. And it is God's desire that surely in heaven we will all stand together having our doctrine corrected 100% because I'm sure each of us probably have at least some small misconceptions of God, but He it is who drew us to heaven! And He is our Father, and He wants us to Know Him! That's what doctrine is: statements about Him! I can wait until He clears it up. And I have no doubt, that even if I'd like to think differently, there will be some things about God or heaven that I will say, "oh, I didn't know that! or "I wasn't quite right about that!" But that's okay: it's like trying to do Calculus right after you learned your times tables. There are other things to learn in between basics and full knowledge. Anyway, don't let ANYONE putting you down be taken to heart - Jesus was despised of others! But they weren't right in their judgments!

Answer 10

I think catchmeifyoucan's post just verifies what you say here, that some people can't live and let live. She is saying EXACTLY what you said, that YOU don't know what you believe, and s/he does, much better than you do!

I wanted to answer her post, but she doesn't take email and I don't know that this is the place to answer it.