It’s a theme that has fascinated and frustrated thinkers throughout the centuries. And a common idea is that many people favor one or the other, but not both. Sometimes believers are painted as mindless sheep who shy away from knowledge gained by reason and science. On the flip-side, those who are highly educated academically are often stereotyped as skeptical or even outright incredulous of the notion of God (among other things). But LDS theology and scripture eviscerates this false dichotomy. Here are a few examples:
.. “Seek ye out of the best books…; seek learning, even by study and also by faith.”
(Doctrine & Covenants 88:118)
…
“To be learned is good, if [you] hearken unto the counsels of God.”
(2nd Nephi 9:29)
… “The glory of God is intelligence.”
(Doctrine & Covenants 93:26)
…
So there you have it:
Secular intelligence need not diminish religious conviction, and vice versa.
A few years back, a stupid 90s pop song suggested that the human race was merely mating mammals likened unto primates on a popular scientific television program. Um, that’s pretty ridiculous, if you ask Kath. Check it out:
Plus there are WAAAAAY better episodes to discover by clicking our channel changer to something else…
And now I would like to share a poem from a few years ago (I wrote it for extra credit for Biology 100 at BYU). It is not exactly related, but it still speaks of these ideas of science/God/creation, et cetera. Again, I’m no scientist (and don’t pretend to be!). But I like to try to explore the ideas of reconciliation of seemingly opposing truths (over which theologians, experts, and philosophers have fought for centuries!). HERE IT IS!
Creation or evolution?
What’s the solution?
Did God make man?
Or is it from apes we began?
Some thump their Bibles, saying evolution is libel
Some their microscopes claiming God is a hoax…
Creation or Evolution?
What’s the solution?
In this time of scientific and religious growth,
maybe the answer is BOTH!
What didjaylthink? Again, I don’t pretend to be an expert (but check out more about Mormon scientist Henry Eyring here!) and I CERTAINLY don’t pretend to be the only person who thinks creation and evolution do not need to be mutually exclusive (line of propriety YET AGAIN!).
But seriously that poem is pretty awesome 🙂
(read it again and ponder every. single.word.)
And now a beautiful song from a band that has had on an indelible influence on not only music, not only the world, but also on Katherine!
Back to the original topic as explicated in my title: I have another great blog post brewin’ about the topic of Mormons /R-rated movies/ Katherine. But for now, let me just say this:
LDS leaders have long counseled it’s members to be selective about their choice of media. They have even specifically cautioned to avoid R-rated movies. However, as always has been and always will be, individual agency is acknowledged and respected. Just be smart, ok?
(queue less formal voice here:)
But just so you know, I made a deal with Aphrodite. If any of my readers watch R-rated movies, within 10 days she will strike you with a thunderbolt of blasphemy. Plus why do you need to watch films anyways? I know a GREAT blog you can read for entertainment, spiritual nourishment, and ugly pictures of a beautiful girl…
Oh, and one final thought. After reviewing the video (all good writers review their work), I realized I mentioned I’m not a scientist. Which I’m not for the most part. But I still like the song, particularly when Natasha sings it:
#not usually this bad, just wanted to exaggerate for artistic purposes (it was moving day a few years ago)
*Famous (and weirdo) American writer Thomas Pynchon has a relatively renowned short story called “Entropy” dealing with slightly related themes, but in a less funny and more disillusioning way. Like, we close ourselves off from the world cuz it’s so bad. Sad. Will write about that piece eventually…
#hey boys, if we fall in love I promise I will remedy this bedroom situation STAT and be your perfect cookie-cutter Mormon housewife! I’ll sweep the floor if you sweep this girl off her feet.
If 2 people are getting to know/courting/dating, whatever you wanna call it, that’s awesome. But once the kiss comes, whole new game plan. I mean, I don’t need to have a ring or anything. But here’s what:
YOU SHOULDN’T BE KISSING TWO PEOPLE AT THE SAME TIME!
Especially not literally.
“What do kisses mean when robbed of their sacredness?”
Oh, and the following video is for a certain someone who just may have inspired this post. I am NOT angry, I am NOT vindicative, but I AM super good with the wordplay and just had to do an anonymous shout-out. I don’t rat anyone out, but friend just COUNT (literally!) how many references I make:
How many did you find (it’s over 10…)? Oh, the travesty…
(from “The Big Bang Theory“) watch here: (TOTALLY CLEAN AND FUNNY CLIP, Sam):
I HAD these t-shirts, but Tori Blonquist Powell borrowed them and never gave them back. It’s alright, girl. Ain’t holding a grudge. Let bygones be bygones. You’ve done so much for me that stupid t-shirts don’t matter…Still, I can’t help but reminisce…
(they said “I can’t, I’m Mormon,” but Eliza and I thought our Mormonism empowered us instead of limited us, so we modified a little)….
A whole blog post devoted to shirts, you might ask? Um, would you rather have me walking around like this? 🙂
