http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/09/16/why-i-love-mormonism/
Interesting essay, one that I thought was fair. I don't think the democratization of religion ineherent in Mormonism is discussed enough. America was founded on the audacious idea that all men were created equal. Given that foundation, it's logical to me that a religion that preaches the potential for all to become like God, that gives the Priesthood to all worthy members, etc. would result.
The two issues that I would add my commentary to Mr. Critchley's essay:
One quote from the essay: “If God becomes man, then man can become God. And the word “man” has to be understood literally here. Women cannot be priests or prophets or aspire to an exclusively masculine divinity, which seems petty, a pity and rather silly to me. But there we are. And I don’t even want to get into questions of race and the historical exclusion of blacks from the Mormon priesthood until 1978.”
One quote from the essay: “If God becomes man, then man can become God. And the word “man” has to be understood literally here. Women cannot be priests or prophets or aspire to an exclusively masculine divinity, which seems petty, a pity and rather silly to me. But there we are. And I don’t even want to get into questions of race and the historical exclusion of blacks from the Mormon priesthood until 1978.”
That’s good you want to get into those questions, because unfortunately,
Mr. Critchley, you didn’t get the women part right, either. Man and women have
to join together in marriage in order to become like God, hence the focus on
family, defense of marriage, and all those pretty temples that we build. It’s a
big deal. In fact, it’s THE big deal. I can’t stress enough the codependency
involved, and the Lord can't, either. I need my wife just as much as she needs me and we need the Lord.
Which brings me to the other thing I also noted from his
essay was the lack of Christ. I even did a search, and not once does he say the
word “Christ”. Christian, yes, but not Christ. Yes, Mormons believe that we can
become like God, but only through the atonement of Christ. Man can’t do it alone.
For some reason I see this often when the doctrine of eternal progression is discussed, whether that forum is outside
or inside the church.
One final aside:
I’ve researched a number of faiths, some more than others
and it is my humble opinion that Mormonism has the best afterlife. I know, I’m
biased, but here me out. I think if you were to pick an afterlife to believe
in, Mormonism is definitely the way to go. Most of Christianity seems to focus
on not going to hell more than the actual prize of going to heaven, and I would
venture that if you asked your average Protestant he/she would tell you that
heaven consists of things like playing golf and hanging out. While that sounds
nice, wouldn’t it get boring? The translation that I read of the Koran talked
about an afterlife with delicious food, big mansions, and virgin companions. Thanks,
but I’d rather hang out with my wife. Buddhism – endless cycle of reincarnation,
until you can remove all desire, therefore reaching Nirvana… If I remember
correctly, Hinduism was pretty similar. Atheism – well, then there’s nothing. Mormonism,
to me, seems to have the best afterlife – continuing to learn and grow, working
together with your family, becoming a God. That's the one I choose, and the one that I live in my life in a manner to qualify to obtain.
