Christ Clone

I hate pedantic literature. I don't think there is anything worse. I mean, all literature, all writing, says something. It says something about the author, about the culture, about biases, about.... whatever.

Before I left the country for a year and a half, I read the first two books of the Christ Clone Trilogy. It was well written and interesting. The story was compelling and the characters intriguing. The story was a little irreligious; the premise is the cloning of god. It also messes with the judeo-christian myth, figuring god as a tyrant, and satan as a liberator. Very miltonesque, very turning your world view upside down. I really liked it, especially as I was doubting god, looking for alternative viewpoints, looking for explanations, for history. Even for out-there ideas. Dialogue. Anything.

The book takes new age ideas, a little bit of scientology. It places power with individuals. It takes a good look at the god of the new testament, honestly evaluates god on the basis of his actions. God of the old testament IS a bastard. He punishes people, he is fickle, he is cruel.

Well, I got to the last book. I was up at 2 am, when I should have been getting a good night's rest for my training the next morning. In a COMPLETE reversal of plot, a drastic shift in several of the characters, in a short shot, it comes out that our Christ clone is the anti-christ, that he is cruel. So after provoking thought, it returns all its readers that they are nothing without god.

As a lit major, I should have known this. I mean, we talked about it in my junior year with "the chimney sweep." Questioning the status quo as a way to return to the status quo; questioning so that the people CAN"T question; thinking for the people so that the people can feel as though they are questioning without actually questioning. Religion has used it, government uses it. It is the great evil institution of Marx.

I just find myself disappointed. It really upset me that a book, that a thought process, that a theory that points out some really valid points about christianity returns to the unthinking realm of "feeling." Well, if you feel bad, it must be god telling you no. If you feel happy, god must be inspiring you. Nothing you do or feel is your own power. You are all dependant on god, even for your own feelings. Individualism, belief in your own power, is bad. It's evil. Wanting to be a grown up, to think for yourself, is evil.

So, in Catholicism, wanting to be like god is heresy. In mormonism, wanting to be like god is required. I just don't like going through my whole reversal of religion in 3 hours of reading a novel. Maybe I should just stay away from those crazy evangelicals.

Prophets

The church magazines came in the mail today.

In good mormon homes, you sign up for three different church magazines. The Friend is for children, usually with stories about being kind to others or sharing. Occasionally there is a mindless obedience story, but mostly it is coloring and love one another.

The New Era is for young adults, focused on staying strong thru adversity and following the prophet. Most of the stories are chicken soup for the soul-esque, and strike me now as drivel.

The Ensign (pronounced both as en-SINE and EN-sin)is for adults. It is all talks from the prophets and the meat of the gospel. It has messages that home teachers and visiting teachers are supposed to take to their families.

As I was reading through the Ensign today, I noticed an article about how everyone's personal salvation depends on your acceptance of the prophet Joseph Smith. Some church doctrine even goes so far as to claim that Joseph Smith will decide who does, and who does NOT, get to pass into heaven.

So, apparently prophets are pretty important. And what's more, you get great checklists like this, from Benson, about the prophetic mantle:

FIRST: The prophet is the only man who speaks for the Lord in everything.

SECOND: The living prophet is more vital to us than the standard works.

THIRD: The living prophet is more important to us than a dead prophet.

FOURTH: The Prophet will never lead the Church astray.

FIFTH: The prophet is not required to have any particular earthly training or credentials to speak on any subject or act on any matter at any time.

SIXTH: The prophet does not have to say "Thus Saith the Lord," to give us scripture.

SEVENTH: The prophet tells us what we need to know, not always what we want to know.

EIGHTH: The prophet is not limited by men's reasoning.

NINTH: The prophet can receive revelation on any matter, temporal or spiritual.

TENTH: The prophet may be involved in civic matters.

ELEVENTH: The two groups who have the greatest difficulty in following the prophet are the proud who are learned and the proud who are rich.

TWELFTH: The prophet will not necessarily be popular with the world or the worldly.

THIRTEENTH: The prophet and his counselors make up the First Presidency--the highest quorum in the Church.

FOURTEENTH: The prophet and the presidency--the living prophet and the First Presidency--follow them and be blessed--reject them and suffer.


Mormons get really upset when you call them unchristian, when you say they aren't centered around christ or his teachings. Then you get lists like this and claims that Joseph Smith trumps the savior.

Mormons should at least be able to see where the rest of the world is coming from on this one.