Understanding the Mormon September 6 -- Paul Toscano Pt. 2

In September of 1993, 6 Mormon "intellectuals" were disciplined by the LDS church: 5 of them excommunicated, and 1 of them dis-fellowshipped.

Perhaps the most strident and controversial of the 6 was Paul Toscano.

This is his story.

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People & Blogs

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• lds
• mormon
• mormons
• sunstone
• september
• six

[wignallfamily]

It doesn't seem to me that you watched the video. He clearly has faith in many things unknown - The Book of Mormon in particular. He may disagree with you about many points of doctrine, but that does not mean that he does not have faith.

I also think that it is unkind of you to imply that his spiritual struggle is simply his attempt to justify sin.

[modfather1965]

Paul is a deeply spiritual person,and intensely religious in many ways-not that he is any longer conventionally devout,but he is intensely religious in terms of his concern about ultimate questions. In many ways,he reminds me of Shalom Auslander when he says, "I believe in God... It's been a real problem for me." Simply because Paul's sort of faith is also filled with questions (which, by the way,puts him in some very good company) does not mean that he's somehow spiritually lazy.

[teceyS3]

Also- in regard to God, Father, Son, Christ, Holy Ghost, etc., you're dealing with Offices of the Priesthood, Titles, Callings, etc., and not necessarily personal identities, so again through the scriptural keys of interpretation, as well as revelation through prayer, fasting and teachings of the Holy Ghost, a person can know the truth of all things- just an FYI.

[teceyS3]

In case anyone is confused by all of this- the scriptures themselves contain the keys for scriptural interpretation- along with prayer and fasting, a person can, through the inspiration of the Holy Ghost, know the truth of all things.

[XieYali]

Yep, Mormonism is crazy.

[VictorLepanto]

I think this man would do better by examining what J. Smith said in terms of the psychology of cult leaders. His words are not consistant, Smith's that is, & trying to impose a logical consistancy is just silly. There is a psychological consistancy. As he seeks to focus the followers attention & affection ever more on himself, he identifies ever more w/ God. If Smith is becoming more God like, so God must have become more God like. Look at David Koresh.

[marcopolo8765]

I am glad I dont have to go to church with this guy anymore. He was frightening to sit next to. Everyone in church if i remember correctly couldn't stand this guy. He was always going on and on about aliens and spacecrafts. He wouldn't shut up about his abduction stories. I hope he got the help he needed.

[noblefailure]

If Paul were an Apostle I might still be going to Church...

[pinkclimax]

Just a guy letting the unexplained cause doubt in the explained. People fail to realize that we are not supposed to know EVERYTHiNG about it. Their is something called Faith.

This is textbook with many people. I can't explain this so who knows if anything is really true or there is no right, etc.

I guess it justifies people though in people not living according to the word of wisdom or gospel or doctrine.

Of course im speaking to Mormons here.