Membership Has Its Privileged (and you all thought Obama was the Anti-Christ)

In February of 2011, I met with Pastor Karen Siegfriedt and discussed the position of Director of Music & Worship. I told her, straight up (in so many words): "I'm not Episcopalian; please, don't ask me to be Episcopalian, I will never be an Episcopalian. That said, if you still want me to direct your church's music ministry, I'll do it." Then I explained to her my religious history. As many know, I was born and raised as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (mainstream Mormonism, LDS...no, not a polygamist fundie). In 1996, I left the only religion I had ever known (nearly 30 years) and went into, well...nothing. I only say this because I had no "Plan B" at the time that I left, so it was quite literally, nothing. Since that time, the journey has been quite enlightening. I went from borderline atheist, to agnostic, to "I don't know what the hell I believe anymore", to studying world religions, to "Okay, this Jesus dude might actually have something here." He did, I do...and I've been at peace with my spiritual journeyings...ever listening, ever reading, ever thinking. Church is, well...church. Could I or anyone really find a "church" or ministry that really believed in who or what they claimed to be?

My job in Nashville as Music Minister of a Southern Baptist church required me to join as a "member" of the Southern Baptist Convention. I had told them that I had a real problem with signing the dotted line with any religion or abomination (um, er, denomination). They assured me that membership really didn't mean anything, that it was just a requirement for paperwork for the position. In May of 2010, I found out quite differently (long story) and resigned my position. Jobless and homeless, I moved back to California and well...enter Trinity Episcopal. So when I questioned Episcopalian "membership", Pastor Karen looked at me quizzically and said, "Um, I don't think we've ever required anyone to become a 'member' of anything. We're...well, a church!"  Since then, this little church in the heart of California's gold country has been a diamond in the rough. My trust has been compromised many times in my life, but where there is love, there is hope. Where there is hope, you find those who believe the same. That, along with an awesome, real-world congregation that truly live their motto of, "Whoever you are, wherever you are on your spiritual journey, you are welcome here," ...that was good enough for me. I've been there since March of 2011, and have had no regrets. Trinity Episcopal welcomes all, and you will find love. I wish all churches held the same creed in their hearts.

This election year has prompted a plethora of emails and Facebook messages to me from those wanting to know more about Mormonism, which I am assuming is coming from those wanting to know more about the beliefs of Mitt Romney, or curiousness because of all the current LDS [Mormon] PR and promotional campaigns on television and YouTube. The whole, "I do this and this and this, I am this and that, my name is [such and such]...and, I'm a Mormon," has seemed a bit contrived, at least to me. Mind you, I have not been an active Mormon for over 16 years, and as I do recognize that there are some good things in every religion, one cannot ignore the "other" stuff - the lies, hypocrisy, violence, and yes, murder - regarding the things that you never hear about because of a well-scrubbed history. I really can't knock a religion's attempt to appeal and market to the masses for attention. However, I'm also very aware of the fact that there are quite a few churches and religions with an unnerving amount of power and control, scrambling around to win "membership". Of such, Jesus said to "beware".

"Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples: “The teachers of the law and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat.  So you must be careful to do everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach. They tie up heavy, cumbersome loads and put them on other people’s shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to lift a finger to move them.
   “Everything they do is done for people to see: They make their phylacteries wide and the tassels on their garments long; they love the place of honor at banquets and the most important seats in the synagogues; they love to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces and to be called ‘Rabbi’ by others." (Matthew 23:1-4)

Most know that I'm quite unorthodox and "on the edge" in my beliefs and views about Jesus Christ. This Figurehead in history - whether you believe him to be an iconic metaphor, a mere finite mortal, or the literal Son of God - one fact that no one can deny is that Jesus changed the world. He is, quite frankly a "Superhero", an icon of power. However, it seems to me that the evolution of Christianity and religionizing of Jesus has created all kinds of gods, idols, beliefs, doctrines, rites and rituals that seem to [ironically] contradict everything that he taught and ultimately died for. Heck, even the Bible itself has become a "holier than thou" idol worshipped by unware, ignorant zealots and fundamentalists. Religious leaders and authorities are revered and respected - rings kissed, books written, money invested, media junkets scheduled, corporate ministries formed and desperately promoted, etc. Corporate religion, like Mormonism or Catholicism, Scientology and many more...is more respected than the basic "love thy neighbor". How Jesus is painted in the Bible as some poor and meek homeless transient, despised and rejected, healer, teacher and world savior as compared to the well-marketed, commercialized, politically-charged, Hitler-like leadership role of today, well...the religionized Jesus certainly doesn't exactly want to make me a joiner.

Like Jesus needed membership in anything! Like the proclaimed and prophesied "Son of God' needs the fundamentalist trash, reverends, ministers, pastors and political endorsements to make his point. His resistance to corporate religion of his day got him crucified! Now, I'm not so easily influenced with scare tactics, as his disciples were. The rooster doesn't have to crow three times, believe me (Matt. 26:34) But I sure as hell won't be forced into voting for a man who believes in a Jesus Christ that some self-proclaimed prophet thought he saw in a vision in the 1800s. Talk about Muhommad's vision in a cave near Hira? What makes Joseph Smith's vision in upstate New York any better...or worse?

I don't know much about Romney. He is not in my circle of friends; he doesn't know who I am, and hell, I don't know if either candidate has me or my best interests at heart. I don't know Obama from Adam [West]. But Romney is a Mormon, and Mormonism is a very powerful corporate religion. I do know, however, that it has been the vision of Joseph Smith (the founder of Mormonism), Brigham Young, and many Mormon leaders and "prophets" to build up their "kingdom of God" on earth. If a leader is going to be in a position of power, what better way to usher in and accomplish such a mission than the Presidency of the United States? Yet, because Romney is a Republican, there seems to be this "forced loyalty" to vote in such a manner. I guess until the cards are actually called, ignorance is truly bliss.

Most don't know a whole lot about the Mormon religion. I can only speak from my own experience, and it has been over 16 years since I left. Most of the questions I'm asked are about what ceremonies go on in those white, elaborately decorated temples, or the "funny underwear", or why Mormons can't drink coffee or alcohol, or why they seem so...well, "Stepford". Some probe deeper into the doctrinal and theological aspects of the religion. If you wonder, don't hesitate to email me, carolrharper@gmail.com. I'll do my best to educate you.

For you Christian fundies and those who have ears to hear the media and ignore logic and reason...realize that the LDS Mormon church has a force of over 40,000 missionaries who speak in many tongues. Realize that the LDS/Mormon church's membership of millions is led by an authorative hierarchy that has the appearance of goodness, wholesomeness and what America thinks it wants. Realize that the LDS church's very foundation is laid upon a Jesus Christ that was Lucifer's brother, that this Jesus had a few wives himself, that this Jesus "appeared" in a vision to Joseph Smith with "the Father" (two personages, not one, which is polytheism)...and that those who are "members" of this church believe that they, too, will become gods and goddesses of their own planets, have many wives, and will populate their own worlds in the universe. Sounds kinda Sci-Fi, and yeah...it kinda is. Want to find that ticket on the next Hale Bopper comet, be my guest: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marshall_Applewhite

"You will know the truth, and the truth will make you free." (John 8:32)

Read Matthew 24. Religion has this way of defining, whereas truth has this way of refining me as a spiritual human being. Hard to believe that I was loyal and dedicated to the fictional Book of Mormon, the Joseph Smith Translation of the Bible, and all Mormon scripture (Doctrine & Covenants/Pearl of Great Price) for nearly 30 years of my life. But when I left, it was quite a bit more devastating than finding out that there was no fat, chimney-spelunking Santa and eight flying reindeer. The religious deprogramming process was one of the most difficult, emotionally and mentally trying times of my life, but I did get through it, not because of belief, but because of my own, innate faith, the security in my own self and belief in my own spiritual journey, a search for the truth...but most of all, the balance between all of it.

How will we actually seek the truth in this election? Or are we fascinated by the pretty colors and fluff?

One of my favorite chapters in the Gospels is Matthew 23. A Jew in the Roman world, Jesus was obviously not about religious belief, and had the strength and wisdom to object. In fact, he abandanded his born-into religion of Judaism, recognized the religions of power in his world (Roman/Greek mythology, Judaic law and mysticism), and called things as he saw them. In a world cursed with millions of years of doubt, I still hold to the belief that there has been only one real "Superhero" in history who shouldn't be ignored by either skeptic or spiritualist:

 “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You shut the door of the kingdom of heaven in people’s faces. You yourselves do not enter, nor will you let those enter who are trying to.
 “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You travel over land and sea to win a single convert, and when you have succeeded, you make them twice as much a child of hell as you are. (Matthew 23: 13-15)

I looked in my purse today. I have several "membership" cards. I'm a "member" of several local organizations, and I do this because they and I believe in what they say they deliver. I carry cards in my purse for Beverages & More (hey, can you blame me?), Dimple Records, Costco, Starbucks (duh!), SaveMart, PetCo, Gold Trail Foods, Panera (awesome cheese bread!), CVS Pharmacy...all are clamouring for attention, for endorsement, for money and attention. I trade membership with a few local business organizations. But when it comes down to it...when the pedal hits the metal...who's gonna care about me as a person? Politics? Corporate religion? The media?

So here I am. I vote Romney and fulfill befitting anti-Christ prophecy (Matthew 24)...or vote Obama and continue to abide by faith. I tend to walk by faith...even in not the best of circumstances.

Be wise tomorrow as you vote. Foolishness has a price.


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Below are some links to sites that might be helpful/informative:

http://www.exmormon.org/
http://www.exmormon.org/tract2.htm

The Godmakers:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zfz6pG5JRQY.
Quite sensationalized and the cartoon is kinda hokey, but it does give you an idea of some basic Mormon beliefs/doctrines.

Mormonism Exposed, Parts 1 & 2 - An interview with a couple LDS missionaries.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wndhHF4t0Bc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eB7VsO_sR0A&feature=relmfu