A now for a word from the Mormon Scriptures.

[YeahItsMeJP]

4 And now, verily I say unto you concerning the laws of the land, it is my will that my people should observe to do all things whatsoever I command them.

5 And that law of the land which is constitutional, supporting that principle of freedom in maintaining rights and privileges, belongs to all mankind, and is justifiable before me.

6 Therefore, I, the Lord, justify you, and your brethren of my church, in befriending that law which is the constitutional law of the land;

7 And as pertaining to law of man, whatsoever is more or less than this, cometh of evil.

8 I, the Lord God, make you free, therefore ye are free indeed.

Doctrines and Covenants Section 98, Verses 4-8

[Caleb]

Verily the Mormons are in need of a modern English version.  Time to get out the Golden Plates and have fresh translators give us a modern reading.  Then I'll convert.  Until then, I'm sticking with Galatians 1:8,9

Caleb

[president]

Until then, I'm sticking with Galatians 1:8,9

So you like/believe the writings of paul (a guy who never met jesus) that come from a version of the bible put together by the Council of Nicea?

What flavor of christian are you?

[Dreepa]

the writings of paul (a guy who never met jesus) that come from a version of the bible put together by the Council of Nicea?

Or should you call him Saul?

I love when one flavor of Christian bashes another, saying that their flavor is correct.  It is the Christian thing to do.
(Sorta like Libertarians who say they are more pure.)

[president]

Or should you call him Saul?

But then the christians wouldn't know who I was talking about 
I should have also used yeshua instead of jesus.

[d_goddard]

As long as someone is willing to fight for Liberty for all people, even to the point of standing in the rain holding a sign to protest the State, then I for one am willing to overlook that person's (in my opinion) incorrect beliefs and actions.

For example, some people are neither Atheist nor Vegetarian, and somehow I am able to be friends with them (even though they're probably wrong!)

[president]

For example, some people are neither Atheist nor Vegetarian, and somehow I am able to be friends with them (even though they're probably wrong!)

You don't believe in Full-Truth?
God = Full-Truth

I find calling Einstein an atheist a bit of a stretch, and I'm not sure what this means, if anything:
http://atheisme.ca/citations/cit_en_Einstein.html

It is clear from his statements that he can honestly be considered an agnostic, or an atheist, or possibly a pantheist in the tradition of Spinoza, but that he was most certainly not a theist.

[Zork]

Einstein believed in God.  He just didn't believe in a God that got out much 

[toowm]

For example, some people are neither Atheist nor Vegetarian, and somehow I am able to be friends with them (even though they're probably wrong!)

Don't count yourself out - you're a potential convert!

Plus, I'm so low carb I've got to be right (for me!)

Let's be friends.

[Zork]

When asked what the secret was to her long life, Julia Child replied "red meat and lots of gin"

Now that's MY diet!

[dead_hobbit]

Or should you call him Saul?

But then the christians wouldn't know who I was talking about 
I should have also used yeshua instead of jesus.

It's ????

If you're going to say the hebrew then at least write it right

[dead_hobbit]

My commentary on verse 7.

When Christ says that "as pertaining to the law of man, whatsoever is more or less than [the constitution], cometh of evil" he is directly saying that those people who infringe on the constitutionally protected rights that we enjoy are evil.

If the Mormons are right, I love this scripture.

Problem being that most Mormons (at least in Utah) understand the constitution like Bush does now a days. "Conservatives", on a national level, are considered "liberals" here in Utah. "liberals" on a national level are viewed, at best, as soul-sucking communists. Bush = God in Utah

[Dreepa]

Bush = God in Utah

I can think of at least 10 Mormon people from Utah who don't like Bush.
Many Mormons like the GOP because the GOP wants to ban Gay marriage and that is something that the LDS church agrees with.
Just because someone is one religion you can't paint them with one brush.
Are all Muslims terrorists?

[president]

Are all Muslims terrorists?

They don't call falafel terrorist balls for nothing!

[Caleb]

So you like/believe the writings of paul (a guy who never met jesus) that come from a version of the bible put together by the Council of Nicea?

What flavor of christian are you?

Well, I'm conflicted on Paul, personally, but I find no reason to doubt his Orthodoxy nor his position within the early Church.  His friends and companions seem to line up quite well with Peter's.  So when he speaks, I have reason to believe that he is echoing the position of the Apostles.

I'm more conflicted on James than I am on Paul, really.  Mainly I disagree with Paul on subjecting ourselves to the government.

Nicea didn't decide canon, it decided Jesus' full deity in light of the Arian heresy.  The Council of Laodicea settled the Canon.

What is important to understand, though, is that Councils don't establish doctrine.  They never have.  They CODIFY doctrine that is already being taught.

I, personally, would have changed the canon a little.  I would have tossed James and added the Gospel of Thomas.  But then again, its difficult to argue with the experience of the Church Fathers, who are nearly unanimous on the Canon.

As for me, I'm just an ordinary Christian.  No particular brand name.

Caleb