Since writing the above paragraph in 1996, the site has undergone much revision, addition, and evolution. There is much on the site now dealing with science, evolution, and philosophy in general. If you are interested in these thought-provoking topics but couldn't care less about Mormonism, this site should still be of interest to you so please explore.

Subsequent sites have also been developed. One has virtually nothing to do with religion and is formatted for (hopefully) easier navigation. Check out 2think.org.

If you are looking for pages dealing exclusively with Mormonism, check out lds-mormon.com. For biographical information on this site's author see this page. For why biographical information on this site's author is not important see this page. To voice your opinion go here.

An interesting thing about the LDS faith (which is the religion I grew up with--even going so far as to serve a two year Mormon mission and receive a couple of degrees from BYU) is that applying some of the church's own teachings ultimately led me to disbelieve in some of its principal doctrines. The church encourages honesty. Some church leaders even define the underlying core doctrine of the church to be all truths from whatever source derived. Brigham Young (the second prophet of Utah Mormonism) said, "If the infidel has got truth it belongs to Mormonism". Now I search for truth from whatever sources I can. I've never been happier or felt more alive than I do now as an infidel seeking after truth rather than (blindly) following tradition or authority figures.

Here are a few more quotes on the Mormonism I still believe in:

"We should gather all the good and true principles in the world and treasure them up, or we shall not come out true Mormons." (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 316.)

"One of the grand fundamental principles of Mormonism is to recieve truth. Let it come from where it may." (An American Prophets Record: The Diaries and Journals of Joseph Smith, p. 395.)

"...study and learn and become acquainted with all good books, and with languages, tongues, and people." (D&C 90:15)

"How gladly would we understand every principle pertaining to science and art, and become thoroughly acquainted with every intricate operation of nature, and with all the chemical changes that are constantly going on around us! How delightful this would be, and what a boundless field of truth and power is open for us to explore!" (Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses, vol. 9, pg. 168, January 26, 1862)

"In these respects we differ from the Christian world, for our religion will not clash with or contradict the facts of science in any particular." (Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses, vol. 14, pg. 116, May 14, 1871)

A quote which should be applied to anything you read or hear comes from Dan Barker (who has written several fantastic books).

From his book Just Pretend: A Freethought Book for Children:

"No one can tell you what to think.
Not your teachers.
Not your parents.
Not your minister, priest, or rabbi.
Not your friends or relatives.
Not this book. (or web page as the case may be)
You are the boss of your own mind.
If you have used your own mind to find out what is true, then you should be proud!
Your thoughts are free."