I have said from the very beginning of this blog that I would be optimistic, and talk about awesome things, and never complain or bad mouth anyone ever. I still am true to that, but there is something that broke my heart, and made me very upset is that I love the Amazing Spider-Man actor, Andrew Garfield, but the cable and satellite channel, FX, has made a TV miniseries , with Andrew Garfield as the main character. This is a hard topic to talk about for me, so let me explain.
I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, or Mormon Church. I served a mission for the church in Detroit, Michigan. It was a very hard undertaking, and on top of that, I had no idea that I had Asperger's Syndrome, and although it is very mild, it made things hard for me. It wasn't because I didn't believe what I was teaching, but it's hard having rocks thrown at you, or beating you up. It's hard when you have a missionary companion that you don't get along with, and with those things piled up on top of each other, I still remained strong in my beliefs and convictions about the church.
I know sometimes being a member is hard. There are other religions that branch off of the main church, like the polygamist groups, (The church did away with the practice in 1893). The reason, there are two. There are parts of the Old Testament that talk about the prophets taking many wives. It was part of a covenant, but it didn't last too long after that, and was completely over with before Christ was born.
Joseph Smith, the first president of the church, and founder, taught that there might be a time where we need to bring that practice back. In fact, the biggest reason polygamy stayed around for a a few decades is because while men were either on missions, or mobs were attacking the early members of the church, many women were left with children and no husbands. Polygamy was pretty much a church calling, and not a situation where the men just wanted excuses to sleep around. Many of the men hated the practice, and so did their wives, but when crossing the plains, the men were killed, and the more wealthy members helped take care of the families they were asked to marry into.
There are a million things online and books that will tell you different. I've been studying my religion for over 30 years. I have had some of the most amazing experiences, and following my religion is what brought that happiness and joy into my heart, mind and soul. There are tons of people that talk horribly about my religion. Although I have my faith, I also know that not everything from the church has been perfect, and there are a few dark clouds that hang over it. I'm not stupid, and know there were things that happened that the early church that weren't, I'll use the word, understandable at the time.
We live in a country that was based off of documents that say people are free to believe the way they want and choose, and my faith didn't get that, and didn't get that right for a really long time. There are things we believe, or disagree with from time to time, but it's hard to try and explain that the doctrine doesn't change. It should never change. I have a lot of great friends that aren't members of my church, and some of them have different lifestyles than I have, but I love them. I treat them kind. I feel like even though being kind and loving to people no matter what, It hurts me that people treat my religion and me like we are idiots. We tend to be hated to a lot of people, which bothers me because others of different faiths and lifestyles hate my faith and me, but demand to be respected. Respect is a two way street.
I do my best every day to try and be kind, helpful, or do good things without being asked. I don't hate anyone, no matter what. Nate Unck is a friend to all. I see everyone as a potential friend, and treat people with kindness. I wish people in the entertainment industry would read this post, but I don't think they will. I am tired of hearing terrible things said about my faith on TV and movies. There is a huge double standard in the entertainment industry right now. People are demanding that they be put into a positive light on shows and movies, but they don't respect the people of my faith who are trying to do good in this world.
There are wolves and sheep in every pasture, but it seems like the wolves are the only thing people want to see for the people of my faith. So, I have said all of that to talk about this....
There is a new miniseries on FX coming out soon called Under the Banner of Heaven: A Story of Violent Faith. The author, Jon Karkauer tells the story of two brothers who were polygamists who murdered their wives, and the investigation that takes place, with the main officer as and LDS member. I read it when I got home from my mission, because I thought it was just going to be an interesting story. However, It's not. The book blatantly bashes the LDS church, with so many inaccuracies, half truths and flat out lies.
He says that he is agnostic, and the moral of the book was meant to be read to show how organized religion turns people into mindless and violent people. Of course the Mountain Medow Massacre is mentioned in the book as well. That topic has tons of inaccuracies alone, but the author makes it a point to bash and hate my faith, and goes on to hate on everyone else in this world that belongs to a religion of any kind. That we are all turned into killers who will stop at nothing to defend our faith, and it's not true.
The thing I hate about it all is that people learn about our church from people who hate it, or left it, or have been excommunicated and are bitter people. They don't talk to the missionaries and ask questions, they talk to and read from people who hate us, when really, they can ask any member in good standing questions, or even attend a few meetings. It's like people go to a foot doctor because they bumped their head and might have a concussion. I'm not saying that the people of the church are always good. Again, wolves and sheep in every pasture, but for some reason, people only want to see us as wolves.
The author of the book was never a member of the church, and he did not fact check his references, stories, misquotes and only has the information that is used by people that hate my faith. I have lost great friends due to them being attacked with misinformation and usually have gone inactive, where they haven't been to church in a long time, or they don't want to follow the commandments or teachings, and give it up entirely, then become even more bitter.
So, the thing with Andrew Garfield is that he is going to be playing the LDS police detective in the miniseries that is meant to destroy any organized religions views and make it a point to let people know that any organized religion, but especially the LDS church, makes people mindless killing machines and then hide behind the teachings of the religions they belong to.
I don't hate anyone. I love people, and I love making them laugh, or have a good time with. You have to work really hard for me to get to not like you or someone else. I fully believe in my faith. It makes me think what good can I do that day. There are things that fill my heart with indescribable feelings in my faith. We believe that everyone needs to be kind and love one another, because that is what Christ said to do, and being a member of a Christian religion makes me want to follow that.
If people say I'm crazy for belonging to a faith that isn't always popular, then I guess I'm crazy, but at least I will still care for you, even if you do say things intentionally to mock my beliefs. I may not agree with everything, but at the same time, that doesn't give me the right judge others and their beliefs. I wholeheartedly love my religion, and it gets a lot of hate. I guess I am just asking for people, whether they are a member of my church, or any other religion, to be kind, understanding and respectful. If we are all respectful for others, no matter what, nobody gets offended or hurt. Not everyone believes in the same thing, but it's not fair for those that do, to be mocked and told we are stupid for our beliefs.
Anyway, that's my blog post tonight. I know I am usually more up beat, but I wanted to share my thoughts and feelings about what I believe, and that everyone should be kind to all people, no matter what. I hope you are doing well, and not sick. I hope you and your families are good and happy. I am grateful to have you all as friends and readers, and I love sharing interesting things with you that I come across.
Well, I better get off to bed. Remember, Uncky Nate loves you!
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