Purpose of Word of Wisdom? - cougarguard.com — unofficial BYU Cougars / LDS sports, football, basketball forum and message board

SeattleUte · 08-08-2008, 05:23 AM

Could the primary purpose of the Word of Wisdom be to set LDS apart from non-LDS, and provide a convenient means of keeping them on the LDS side of the bright line (i.e., control)? As some have noted, it's concrete, clear and easily verifiable. Don't you think garments serve a similar purpose? Sort of like the Nazis early on made Jews wear a yellow star, but in this case the Church is putting the star on the members. Thoughts?

BlueHair · 08-08-2008, 05:35 AM

There's a pretty long list of things the church does to control the members, but the Nazi comparison is a bit of a stretch.

creekster · 08-08-2008, 05:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlueHair

. . . but the Nazi comparison is a bit of a stretch.

You think so? I guess a bit, but SU so rarely engages in purposeful exaggeration and hyperbole that I guess it just slipped by me.

SeattleUte · 08-08-2008, 05:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlueHair

There's a pretty long list of things the church does to control the members, but the Nazi comparison is a bit of a stretch.

I said it was a bad comparison. They're not Nazis. It's just the point that like the star the W of W is to help people immediately tell you're a Mormon.

I'm trying to think of a better example.

This self-identification thing is also cultural. JT Ross said he tells anyone he meets within the first five minutes he's a Mormon so they know that's a huge part of his persona.

Indy Coug · 08-08-2008, 05:40 AM

If everyone suddenly obeyed the Word of Wisdom, how many lives do you think would be spared as a result?

SeattleUte · 08-08-2008, 05:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Indy Coug

If everyone suddenly obeyed the Word of Wisdom, how many lives do you think would be spared as a result?

I think it's done a lot of good. But I think the absolute prohibition on coffee and alcohol is extreme. Poeple should be able to use their judgment. I don't know anyone who smokes anymore, really. Anyone who wold cop to it, anyway.

Indy Coug · 08-08-2008, 05:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SeattleUte

I don't know anyone who smokes anymore, really. Anyone who wold cop to it, anyway.

Probably because society has engaged in a little yellow-star treatment of the smokers.

SeattleUte · 08-08-2008, 05:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Indy Coug

Probably because society has engaged in a little yellow-star treatment of the smokers.

LOL. Touche.

Levin · 08-08-2008, 05:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Indy Coug

If everyone suddenly obeyed the Word of Wisdom, how many lives do you think would be spared as a result?

A lot, but an equal number would dive into depression and have no self-help.

Would people actually be happier? Wine seems to bring its connoiseurs an immense amount of joy. And there'd be much less sex without alcohol, and sex is a happy thing. Smoking seems to relieve a lot of stress and have a calming effect. Perhaps we'd have a more up tight world. And the world without coffee . . . I guess everyone would have to drink Mountain Dew in the mornings instead.

SeattleUte · 08-08-2008, 05:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Levin

A lot, but an equal number would dive into depression and have no self-help.

Would people actually be happier? Wine seems to bring its connoiseurs an immense amount of joy. And there'd be much less sex without alcohol, and sex is a happy thing. Smoking seems to relieve a lot of stress and have a calming effect. Perhaps we'd have a more up tight world. And the world without coffee . . . I guess everyone would have to drink Mountain Dew in the mornings instead.

Mormons do abuse their bodies plenty. Lots of sugary drinks, noodle casseroles, desserts. Most people need a fix.

Alcohol has been a vital part of culture. Beer came into being as a staple among the northern Europeans, a way to consume calories that could be stored for long periods. Yes, it made them happier too.

08-08-2008, 05:23 AM	#1
SeattleUte fairlds.org Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 10,665	Purpose of Word of Wisdom? Could the primary purpose of the Word of Wisdom be to set LDS apart from non-LDS, and provide a convenient means of keeping them on the LDS side of the bright line (i.e., control)? As some have noted, it's concrete, clear and easily verifiable. Don't you think garments serve a similar purpose? Sort of like the Nazis early on made Jews wear a yellow star, but in this case the Church is putting the star on the members. Thoughts? __________________ Interrupt all you like. We're involved in a complicated story here, and not everything is quite what it seems to be. —Paul Auster

08-08-2008, 05:35 AM	#2
BlueHair Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Utah Posts: 1,148	There's a pretty long list of things the church does to control the members, but the Nazi comparison is a bit of a stretch.

08-08-2008, 05:40 AM	#5
Indy Coug Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Between Iraq and a hard place Posts: 7,569	If everyone suddenly obeyed the Word of Wisdom, how many lives do you think would be spared as a result?