2 Comments

Comments

• Donna Sexton

  Jan 20, 2016 5:35 am

  Chris, I truly look forward every week to your podcast. It was your books that inspired my daughter, Brook, when she was 12 years old, to read the Book of Mormon. And she also inspired me to read the Book of Mormon. I was very challenged at reading for whatever reason, so I did not think I could do it. I could have listened on tape at that time, but I wanted to read the Book of Mormon by myself. Brook said she read your books and wanted to know more about the real people in the Book of Mormon. Not that it matters much, but I am blind so I read braille. The Book of Mormon is in seven huge volumes and felt overwhelming to me. But a very wonderful thing happened when I started to read. My reading ability improved a lot! I now have no problem reading in Sunday School classes--something I would never have done before. I am thankful for your adventurous books. I can feel your passion for the Gospel. I believe we all need to have such a passion. This is what will keep us on the straight and narrow. Sorry for the length, but I have wanted to tell you my story and Brook’s story for years. Can’t wait until the next podcast.

• Don Carlos

  Feb 6, 2016 5:30 pm

  I’m listening as I’m commenting, so I need to comment on your conclusion: you are not requesting freedom of religion. You are clearly requesting the freedom to shove your religion down other people’s throats.

  I know you are not going to publish this, but I want you to know that not agreeing with you is not being intolerant or spewing hate, and that being in a place where the dominant religion controls politics and makes everybody else’s life a living hell and pushing back is not disrespect. It’s requesting to live with freedom of religion as well as freedom FROM religion if I so choose to live my life in a secular society.

  I like Utah, and as an American citizen I have the same right to live here as any Mormon, so I’m sorry if my discontent doesn’t come from a mental illness, as you imply. I know it would make it so much easier for you if every non-Mormon was crazy, because that would mean that that’s the only reason why somebody wouldn’t join your religion, but some of us just find it ridiculous. That doesn’t make me intolerant, but telling me that if I publicly disagree with you then I’m “spewing hate” or I’m mentality ill, then that is quite intolerant of YOU.

  Chris's Reply: Hey, I published this, Don! Surprise, surprise! It's interesting that as a non-member you chose to listen to my podcast at all. So did I really "shove my religion down your throat"? Or did you raise your spoon and simply swallow? You're a free thinker. You freely CHOSE to hear what I had to say. You seem offended by the mere existence of this podcast. I expected this kind of reaction from some, but you're the first that I actually posted. Living in Utah is a living hell? Really? Don, I might be misreading your words, but you actually sound quite bitter and, yes, hateful. I've never stated nor implied that non-Mormons or anti-Mormons were mentally ill. I come from a non-LDS family. None of them have thus far followed me into the faith. I love and respect all my brothers and sisters, so this isn't my quote. Perhaps some other source? You're correct that in the future this comment WOULD be deleted, but the primary reason is because you put words and ideas in my mouth that I never stated. Be honest, be thoughtful, and be calm, because quite honestly this post makes you SOUND "intolerant" and even somewhat vengeful when you speak of "pushing back". In any case, the axe that you grind appears to have a very sharp edge. Let's just attribute it to you having a particularly bad day. LDS or non-LDS, I hope you can acknowledge the power of love and respect for your fellow human beings. If you practice this principal with me, I'll gladly practice it with you.