tayman0522 wrote: You can choose to enjoy the fruits of living a life of faith,

exactly what are these fruits and why can't non-believers have them?

tayman0522 wrote:or you can choose to go your own way.

can't i go my way and still have the fruits?

tayman0522 wrote:Your free agency cannot be taken away from you, not even by God.

really? God can't take away my free agency? (which God?)

tayman0522 wrote:But understand that you will have to live with those choices...

as the believer will have to live with theirs...

come to think of it we all have to live with the choices of many people, which is why we sometimes attempt to influence some of the choices our fellow humans make.

i wish lot's of people would stop interpreting their own religion as a fact.

You can say that the responsibilities of children have changed, although some still go to the pastures to work. Farm life still exists. Back in the day, kids still did crazy things, still got hurt. that is not a new phenomenon. The population has grown and there happens to be more kids available to get in trouble. There are more things to get in trouble with. Everyone loves to go back in time as such a perfect example how people conducted their lives. It's a copout for the present times, blaming these changes for the outcome of your child. Today we have thousands of activities for children to be involved in. Endless things, good things, educational, physical...... There is no way in hell anyone can convince me that brainwashing your child in a religious cult is the best way to go.There is nothing that exists that you can use to sugar coat the wrong in religious domination.

This has been a fascinating discussion. As I have said (probably too often), I lived in Salt Lake City. One of the reasons I requested a transfer was that my children were just coming of school age, and I was being pressured by the local Ward Bishop to all them to attend 'primary,' a sort of LDS kindergarten.

Later, while living in Kansas City, my wife and I allowed two missionaries to visit us. They were earnest, but when we did not buy in into their spiel, became frustrated. The visit ended with one asking us in a plaintive voice, "But what if it's true?" The 'it' being the Mormon message. I just looked a him and opened the door, allowing them to leave. Presently, I just politely ask any who show up at my door to leave.

Okay, a bit of time travel. While in Salt Lake, I naturally worked around many Mormons. When I questioned their beliefs, there were varying reactions. One friend (yes friend), another lawyer, and I had some good talks. Another who was an accountant, got very defensive, almost angry. I guess in many ways, the Mormons are like most folks, each is somewhat unique.