Author Archives: Keith

Mormon Church Traces Black Priesthood Ban To Brigham Young

December 10, 2013 4:06 pm / 3 Comments /

Brigham Young was a racist.

There is an interesting article in today’s Salt Lake Tribune which places the blame for more than 150 years of Mormon racism squarely upon the shoulders of second president and prophet of the Mormon Church, Brigham Young. The Salt Lake Tribune makes reference to a new article written by the Mormon Church in effort to ease the anxiety of Latter-day Saints and answer some of the historical problems with Mormonism, racism and revelation. That article is titled, “Race and the Priesthood.” Rather than give you my thoughts on this issue, I’d rather quote a new ex-Mormon friend of mine. Read More →

Posted in: Uncategorized / Tagged: ,

Discussing God’s Purpose For The Earth With A Jehovah’s Witness Elder

December 6, 2013 2:35 pm / Leave a Comment /
Does God have a purpose for the Earth?

Does God have a purpose for the Earth?

I couldn’t get this song out of my head. As I was driving to meet with my Jehovah’s Witness elder friend I had the chorus to R.E.M.’s, “It’s The End Of The World” stuck in my mind. I didn’t have the car stereo on because I didn’t need it. Over and over I kept hearing, “It’s the end of the World as we know it and I feel fine.”

The truth was, I didn’t feel fine. I was almost sick to my stomach. Our last marathon meeting had taken a huge toll on me. I wondered what was going to happen in this meeting. I planned on taking it slow and finding as much common ground as possible. I also wanted to avoid some issues I knew could possibly cause more tension. The good thing is, the chapter we were going to start today in the “Teach” book, chapter three, is pretty tame compared to other chapters. Read More →

Posted in: Uncategorized / Tagged: ,

Explaining The Equality Of Jesus And The Father To A Jehovah’s Witness Elder

December 4, 2013 1:48 am / 3 Comments /
Jesus, equal with God?

Jesus, equal with God?

(Continuing from the last post titled “Thanksgiving and the Deity of Christ With A Jehovah’s Witness Elder.”)

JW: The word “Trinity” doesn’t appear in the Bible.

KW: Neither does the word “Bible.”

JW: This is something humans came up with.

KW: Yes, to explain a concept we believe is found in the Bible.

JW: Why didn’t the first Christians believe in a Trinity?

KW: They did.

JW: No.

KW: (Laughing) Yes, they did. Where do you get the idea that they didn’t?

JW: When Paul said that Jesus was resurrected by God shows that they did not believe that Jesus and God are one and the same person.

KW: I do not believe they are the same person. I believe they are the same God, but not the same person. Read More →

Posted in: Uncategorized / Tagged: , , ,

Thanksgiving and the Deity of Christ With A Jehovah’s Witness Elder

November 28, 2013 12:10 am / 7 Comments /

(Continuing from the last post titled “False Prophecy 4.3 With A Jehovah’s Witness Elder.” This post is titled differently because we did not discuss the issue of false prophecy at all during this part of our three hour conversation)

JW: Ties are pagan?

KW: You remember that. We talked about how ties were originally a part of French military uniforms. You are against war and against the military so why are you wearing part of a French military uniform?

JW: (laughing) Yeah.

KW: It is the same thing.

JW: No, it’s not the same thing.

KW: Sure it is. It is the exact same argument. Just because the origin of something may be less than exemplary doesn’t mean it is the same thing for today.

JW: My conscience wouldn’t allow me to participate in any of the holidays because my worship is supposed to be clean and undefiled.

KW: My worship is clean and undefiled and I wouldn’t want to defile it with a pagan tie. Read More →

Posted in: Uncategorized / Tagged: , , , ,

False Prophecy 4.3 With A Jehovah’s Witness Elder

November 26, 2013 2:11 pm / 11 Comments /

(Continuing from the last post)

I saw my friend’s ugly side and I didn’t like it. He sat in his seat holding his book bag across his chest like a school girl who was afraid to walk down a hallway full of players from the high school football team.

KW: Which brother?

JW: You remember the one.

KW: The rude guy? Do you really think you are wasting your time?

JW: I thought I wasn’t.

KW: So, do you really think you are wasting your time? Read More →

Posted in: Uncategorized / Tagged: , ,