Last Fall I had a crazy conversation in the break room with a Mormon coworker, and it left me rather exasperated. I was reminded of that dialogue today and realized that it would be a good story to share.
It was the week of Halloween 2016 when this interaction took place. Cory (name changed for anonymity) had brought in some doughnuts, which stimulated small talk about food. I joked that he was acting as an evil tempter by pastry-peddling, and mentioned that it would be far easier for me to restrain myself if the doughnuts contained unclean meat—so could he please add some bacon sprinkles on top the next time? This led to a discussion about religious beliefs, with me explaining that I uphold the scriptural prohibition against eating certain animals, and Cory sharing that he abstains from caffeine and alcohol due to his Mormon beliefs.
I wanted to ask at that point whether he eats unclean meats, but I didn't because I was afraid that it would be perceived as rude if the answer was "yes." And I now know that the answer would have been an affirmative, because I later saw him eating pork products.
The conversation returned to the topic of sugar, and then Halloween candy, and Cory mentioned something about trick-or-treating with his kids. I couldn't help myself, and a question tumbled out in concert with an inflection that was two shades too dismayed: "Oh, do you celebrate Halloween?"
"Yeah, for sure," responded Cory. "It's my favorite holiday. I love doing costumes."
I wanted to ask at that point whether he eats unclean meats, but I didn't because I was afraid that it would be perceived as rude if the answer was "yes." And I now know that the answer would have been an affirmative, because I later saw him eating pork products.
The conversation returned to the topic of sugar, and then Halloween candy, and Cory mentioned something about trick-or-treating with his kids. I couldn't help myself, and a question tumbled out in concert with an inflection that was two shades too dismayed: "Oh, do you celebrate Halloween?"
"Yeah, for sure," responded Cory. "It's my favorite holiday. I love doing costumes."
Cut it out, dude! You're not making sense!
I didn't say anything—couldn't because I was biting my tongue. He probably felt the great sigh blaring from inside my head because he took his leave without any further attempt at conversation.
So, by Cory's Mormon logic, it's bad to:
Okay, so that last point is a bit of joke, but the others are not. Why would you prohibit something that YHVH never said should be prohibited, then turn around and allow things that are clearly not okay with him? I'll tell you why: rebellion. Men have substituted their own traditions for the commands of the Living Elohiym. It was a rampant problem when Y'shua walked the earth, and it's a rampant problem today.
We're way too prone to conform to man's ways and neglect God's ways.
The Bible tells members of the Kingdom of God to be set apart and not participate in the holy days of the Goyim (foreigners). Ever. There's no justification that will get us off the hook here, like "we've redeemed the pagan things," or "God knows my heart." You're fooling yourself if you think that you can repackage and rename something that God hates, and suddenly he'll be okay with it. The core of it is still the same, and he remembers what it means.
So, by Cory's Mormon logic, it's bad to:
- consume a component of leaves which the Bible never says are off-limits
- consume fermented beverages, which Y'shua himself did (Matt. 11:19, 26:29), and which was part of the celebration of appointed feasts (Deut. 14:26; Zech. 9:17)
- eat creatures which Elohiym specifically called unclean and detestable
- celebrate a day which the heathen use to glorify death, demons, and fear
- be at least a little gluttonous after collecting candy procured via threat (the "trick" part of trick-or-treat)
Okay, so that last point is a bit of joke, but the others are not. Why would you prohibit something that YHVH never said should be prohibited, then turn around and allow things that are clearly not okay with him? I'll tell you why: rebellion. Men have substituted their own traditions for the commands of the Living Elohiym. It was a rampant problem when Y'shua walked the earth, and it's a rampant problem today.
We're way too prone to conform to man's ways and neglect God's ways.
The Bible tells members of the Kingdom of God to be set apart and not participate in the holy days of the Goyim (foreigners). Ever. There's no justification that will get us off the hook here, like "we've redeemed the pagan things," or "God knows my heart." You're fooling yourself if you think that you can repackage and rename something that God hates, and suddenly he'll be okay with it. The core of it is still the same, and he remembers what it means.
You're part of the problem too, Big Guy. Just take your cookies and leaves us alone, okay?
Choosing to abstain from alcohol or caffeine is by no means a sin, and I understand why some people take that route. Those substances are prone to abuse, without a doubt. Since the Word of God has plenty to say about moderation and self-control, some Believers feel led to keep far away from potential sources of addiction. If you want to abstain from certain foods, go for it. Just realize that it's not required, unlike the instructions listed in Scripture, which should not be negotiable.
The great darkness of the last days demands that we, the Assembly of YHVH, be a great light in opposition. The Bride must "make herself ready" by becoming clean, clean, clean. Part of that scrub-off involves putting every tradition and doctrine to the test to see whether it be of God. If it can be verified by Scripture, keep it. But if it conflicts in any way, let it go.
You'll be happy you did.
The great darkness of the last days demands that we, the Assembly of YHVH, be a great light in opposition. The Bride must "make herself ready" by becoming clean, clean, clean. Part of that scrub-off involves putting every tradition and doctrine to the test to see whether it be of God. If it can be verified by Scripture, keep it. But if it conflicts in any way, let it go.
You'll be happy you did.
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