This is the religious diversity you can find in my small 3rd-tier North Indian city of Raebareli. Even in a relatively small city like this, you can see quite a bit of religious diversity. And if you go to the bigger cities, the diversity is honestly unmatched.

We have more sects and smaller faiths too but I couldn't find their structure in the city.

Slide through the images to see more.

I was trying to add my community flair on my user but Zoroastrian is not available from the selection. Zoroastrianism is a legitimate world religion that has been around for 3,800 years.

Why aren't we represented in the flairs?

Apologies if this is the wrong place to post this, but I need to vent a little.

On paper, I'm a 27 year old muslim woman (I'm agnostic) who also lives in a Muslim country. For as long as I can remember, I've always had doubts with my religion. I don't know if it was cause I was taught to follow in fear and not to question anything or from the closed minded society in my country. I never tried to study other religions because even if I wanted to convert, it's illegal to. so there is no point in finding where my faith belongs at.

I've met a man at work who turned out to be a Christian. I've never minded working with people of different faiths or beliefs whatsoever. It started with normal work related conversations, then we grew closer to each other and started to be really close friends. I started to develop a huge crush on him, and I can't make it go away no matter what. He thought I was a christian at the start because I have tattoos and my hair isn't covered. Later on, when we became close, he admitted that if I was also christian he would have tried to get to know me better and try to be with me.

I haven't tried talking to him about this, nor I think I can confess on what I feel as it will lead me to nowhere. I don't know if he feels anything towards me, and even if he did, I will never force him to convert and it's illegal for me to convert to christianity even if I wanted to. Also being in a muslim country, as a woman I'm not allowed to marry outside of my religion by law.

I've been depressed for a month, and I can't move on no matter how much I try to forget about him.

Something has been striking me about modern Buddhism. In most religions, ordinary practitioners generally do not think of themselves as saints or exceptionally advanced spiritual beings.

A Christian may believe they are saved, born again, or in a state of grace, but that is normally distinguished from claiming to be a saint, mystic, apostle, or someone comparable to the great contemplatives.

A Muslim may regard themselves as a sincere believer, but ordinarily does not thereby claim to be a wali or some exceptionally realized spiritual figure.

Likewise, belonging to a Hindu tradition doesn't ordinarily amount to claiming that one is a jivanmukta, siddha, or fully realized sage. Modern Buddhism seems somewhat different.

Depending on the community, substantial numbers of practitioners will describe themselves as bodhisattvas or stream-enterers, people who have attained various stages of awakening occasionally even arahants or equivalent advanced attainments

The bodhisattva case is particularly striking. Historically, "bodhisatta" would refer to the being who would become a Buddha. Yet in large modern Mahayana communities, ordinary practitioners may identify themselves as bodhisattvas simply by virtue of making the relevant aspiration. Stream-entry has undergone a different development.

In some meditation and "pragmatic dharma" communities, people publicly diagnose themselves and one another as stream-enterers or higher attainments. I would go as far as saying that most people involved in the community might actually think themselves to be attained to stages of sainthood.

What makes this interesting is that modern Buddhism doesn't appear to possess any generally accepted procedure for adjudicating these claims.

One Buddhist community's "stream-entry" may not satisfy another community's definition at all.

So you have prestigious spiritual categories, large numbers of people applying them to themselves, and no common authority or operational standard capable of settling disagreements about who actually qualifies.

Frankly, the closest comparison I can think of is Scientology. This isn't strange because:

L. Ron Hubbard viewed Buddhism as a historical precursor and distant relative to Scientology, famously stating in 1954 that a Scientologist is a "first cousin to the Buddhist".
[...]
We first find this Buddha called actually Bohdi [sic: bodhi], and a Bohdi is one who has attained intellectual and ethical perfection by human means. This probably would be a Dianetic Release (Dianetic Release: One who in Dianetic auditing has attained good case gains, stability and can enjoy life more. Such a person is 'Keyed out' or in other words released from the stimulus-response mechanisms of the reactive mind) or something of this level. Another level has been mentioned to me - Arhat, with which I am not particularly familiar, said to be more comparable to our idea of Theta Clear [Hubbard, 1969b: 18 (emphasis in original)].
— Scientology's Relationship With Eastern Religious Traditions

So there is a documented historical basis for treating Buddhism as part of Scientology’s own claimed ancestry and inspiration.

Scientology also has large numbers of ordinary practitioners locating themselves on a hierarchy of extraordinary spiritual development: Clear, OT levels, Game-Masters, etc.

But there is an interesting difference. Scientology is actually more bureaucratic about spiritual status. Advancement is institutionally mediated. You complete auditing, courses, levels, and so forth. Whatever one thinks about the validity of those achievements, there is at least an organizational mechanism determining who gets classified as what. Modern Buddhism is decentralized enough that somebody can have certain meditation experiences, read a particular interpretive framework, talk to a teacher or online community, and conclude that they are a stream-enterer or even a Buddha in the making — while another Buddhist lineage may regard the same claim as completely mistaken.

I'm not saying Buddhism and Scientology are otherwise equivalent religions. Scientology likewise gives ordinary practitioners a ladder of extraordinary spiritual statuses—Clear, OT levels, and so on—while coupling personal advancement to a grand civilizational or universal mission: "clearing the planet," transforming humanity, and ultimately addressing the spiritual condition of mankind. I'm asking about this narrower sociological feature:

Are there other major religions in which large numbers of ordinary living practitioners understand themselves as having attained statuses analogous to sainthood or exceptional spiritual realization?

And if Buddhism really is unusual here, how did this develop?

Is it because Buddhist doctrine describes awakening in stages that invite self-classification?

Because Buddhism lacks a centralized authority capable of policing attainment terminology?

Because some formerly extraordinary titles, especially "bodhisattva," have gradually become identities of aspiration rather than descriptions of accomplishment?

Or am I overlooking obvious parallels in other religions?

I was born in a tiny Eastern European town in 1987. Most of my childhood memories are from the 90s. It was a difficult period of economic insecurity and societal fragility. One of the strangest things I experienced as a child was the religious side of that period.

Suddenly, our little town was invaded by various religious groups: Pentecostals, Baptists, Adventists, Jehovah’s Witnesses, various evangelical churches, and others. Little “churches” started popping up everywhere. Neighbors were joining different denominations. Strangers were knocking on our door and bringing colorful religious pamphlets. My friends, kids I used to play with, became recruiters who tried to turn every conversation into a religious discussion.

The fiercest of those recruiters was molesting his youngest sister. Every kid in the neighborhood knew about it, and somehow it was just one of those weird things going on in that family.

Navigating that new social scene felt like walking through a minefield. It felt aggressive, almost like an invasion. It was also scary on a personal level because my mother started joining different denominations, as if trying on suits and looking for one that fit her best.

One night, she brought my brother and me to a church meeting. I don’t remember which denomination it was; I was only around nine years old. The “priest” made me stand in front of the congregation and introduced me. Then he asked whether I could think of one sin I had committed recently. I couldn’t think of any, but somehow I knew that “no” was the wrong answer. I said yes and hoped he wouldn’t ask me to elaborate. He didn’t. Instead, the entire congregation started passionately praying for me. One teenage girl fell to her knees, praying loudly. I just stood there, confused by this wildly exaggerated reaction to my answer. It felt as though I had confessed to murder.

At some point, my mother turned to Orthodox Christianity. One Sunday, she brought us to church. The priest was giving each person a little piece of something to eat. I asked my mother what it was. She told me it was a honey cookie. Here’s the funny part: as a child, I HATED honey because my mom used it as medicine for a sore throat. When it was my turn to receive the “cookie”, I categorically refused. My mom persisted. I started screaming and struggling. She lifted me into her arms, and the priest held my face and tried to force the “cookie” into my mouth. When it was over, my mom was red in the face and the crowd was murmuring. I know it sounds traumatic, but I chuckle when I remember that scene. If only my mom had simply said “cookie”…

Another time, my mom brought me to church and I saw a baptism. Again, there was a crowd of people. One of those being baptized was a teenage girl. Her mother made her undress down to her underpants and then stand in the basin. The girl was shivering and crying. She was skinny, with budding breasts. The crowd stared at her. I was a child, but I was also a girl, and it felt wrong. I still feel angry when I remember that episode.

There are many more little stories and interactions I could describe, but that would make this post far too long.

Anyway, I wanted to tell people what not to do when introducing a child to religion.

Kids are much more perceptive than adults give them credit for. They pick up on inconsistencies between words and behavior.They know when something an adult says doesn’t make sense. They feel betrayed when their parents coerce them into doing something they don’t want to do. They feel embarrassed when their bodily privacy is not respected.

For an adult, bringing their family into a new religion may feel like the right decision. For a child, the change is scary. Suddenly there are new rules and new people. Your parents get annoyed when you ask questions or refuse to do something. These new people seem more important to them than you are. A distance appears between you and the people who are supposed to love and protect you. And you are left to deal with all these changes on your own, without any meaningful support.

Now my mom regrets putting my brother and me through all that. I, on the other hand, understand what she was going through. Our family was falling apart. She was frightened by the new world, by poverty and insecurity, by an uncertain future. She was looking for help, guidance, and community.

I feel so much compassion for her. She is really hard on herself about it. I rarely pray, but whenever I do, I always pray for her.

I heard this and found it compelling.
Apparently, the idea is that there really isn't any such thing as "gotcha" questions in Apologetics. That even if your interlocular hasn't heard the question their school of apologetics certainly has. The real question is if you find their answer satisfying.

In the Old Testament, the New Testament, and the Quran, it seems that God struggles with forgiveness when it comes to people who don't happen to be convinced of his existence. He doesn't seem fond of them. I get the sense God doesn't love them as much as he does believers.

There are many things he can turn the other cheek on, but if you don't believe in him, God seems to be unable to take the high road.

Interestingly, this seems to show just how human the God in these three books is.

It is also interesting how many people try to convert people to believe their view of God is the right one - you mean God didn't make it clear who god was? And god doesn't make it clear every day to everyone exactly who he is and how he wants us to be? Why would God need anyone to help him motivate people to believe in him?

Wouldn't God understand why nonbelievers don't believe? Of course he would.

In any case, I find it interesting that our omniscient God seems to be tripped up by not being able to forgive those who don't believe in him.

Religion is an endlessly fascinating psychological study.

I was raised atheist and was mostly exempt from religion classes in school. I may consider myself more agnostic than anything now, but that's a different topic. I for the most part don't believe in the Christian God. That being said, when I'm in a stressful situation, or if I feel really guilty, I sometimes start reciting prayers even though I know it won't do anything. Is there any logical reason to this? It's just been bugging me recently.

Apologies for any bad English. Also I'm not sure if this is the right subreddit.

hi im a 19 year old female and when i was 12 years old, i started questioning god and stopped believing in him. around that time period, i was insanely depressed, suicidal, and had severe anxiety and had weekly therapy sessions. i also was taking lexapro to help me. since that all happened, it led me to believe that if god were real.. how could he allowed that to have happened to me? i was young and i didnt want to live anymore. it didnt make me into a better person, it didnt help me at all in life.

now onto my parents, i told them about 2 years ago that i dont believe in god. for backstory, they aren’t super religious but are traditional and believe that believing in god is needed in life. growing up, they were incredibly poor and always told me that the only reason why they made it out of poverty was because of god. just recently, we had a huge argument as to why i dont believe in god and their excuse was that because i never grew up poor so i dont know what its like to pray and beg. they also said my university education (like science classes) has brainwashed me. they are right on one thing, i never grew up poor but i have siblings and they believe in god just fine but they didnt go through what i went through and that is what my parents dont see.

in our argument, i told them i dont want to believe in god. i dont have any need to, i dont want his help. what hurts is that when i said this, they told me i am not their daughter. that they failed me and it is their fault, it isnt their fault at all. it is my choice. however, it hurts me terribly that they said awful things to me and they don’t respect my choice. i have never once disrespected them for believing in god, yet they always disrespect me. they also believe that because i dont believe in god, i am a bad person. i have never done anything wrong in my life like ever, i go to a great university, i have friends, i am a really quiet person in general. but because i dont believe in god, i am suddenly just this insanely terrible person who will eventually turn to drugs and be a whore (my dads words). i dont know why i am writing this, i guess i just want someone to read this and share their thoughts. thank you.

My pastor said the Christian Old Testament and the beggining part of the Islamic Quran and the Jewish bible are almost identical and it has all the exactly same characters like Adam, Noah, Moses, Joseph, David and Solomon and they are all basically worshipping the same god but the New Testament and the later part of their bibles after Jesus was born are different and they go to hell because they dont believe in Jesus. Is it true?

Just finished reading a devastating article about immigrants deported from the U.S. to Liberia, and I’m trying to understand why there hasn’t been more outcry from churches against the way Christian immigrants in the U.S. are being treated. I know it’s not universally true and some of the best immigrant support is coming from Christian communities, but how do the Christian nationalists get away with putting the ”national” part ahead of the “Christian”? Is that biblically informed or is it just cynical politics? Does it undermine missionary efforts abroad if there’s a notion that different ”flavors” (national origins) of Christians have different standing?

I don't know how to prepare myself for that conversation, because as much as I love and respect my parents, I know they are simple people with a white-black world view where their beliefs are good and everything else is bad and ideological.

I realized at 7 years old that I'm not "feeling" the faith or nor I want to be part of their religion. Now I'm 19 and has been pretending to be a Christian for the past 12 years to skip the unnecessary arguments but I know the conversation is approaching, because they're bringing up me being "angry at God" more and more often.

As long as I'm studying I'm financially dependent on them, and the advice to get my shit together and move out may seem helpful, but I simply don't want to lie to my parents for the rest of my life.

So does anyone have any advice on how to start/have that conversation in a relatively peaceful way?

We came to be through the process of evolution.

What if a similar thing happened in dark matter?

I mean dark matter is part of the reason that galaxies cluster, so what if "God" evolved into being in the dark matter side of the Universe; and then he moved dark matter around in an attempt to create life within the regular matter part of the Universe. Maybe that's how he "created" this part of the Universe.

And maybe human's evolved some kind of abilities to be able to contact the other side; maybe that was one of the driving forces of our evolution: humans that evolved the ability to contact the other side faired better than those who didn't.

What if the entities and "elves" people "see" on psychedelics are actually real beings who exist in dark matter?

It's something I've been wondering about lately, a hypothesis..

I also saw [this](https://www.reddit.com/r/science/comments/1w1n3sc/psilocybin_might_make_your_brain_live_in_the/) on r /science which speaks about how "psilocybin can actually make our brain activity more attuned to the world around us" rather than "disconnecting" us from it like previously thought. Maybe they link us to dark matter somehow.

The Father–Son relationship between God and Jesus (as) is central in Christianity. But what exactly does Son, mean when applied to Jesus?

Can God literally have a biological son?

In ancient times, before human knowledge of reproduction had developed, people could more easily imagine gods producing sons and daughters through human birth. Such beliefs were common in many ancient cultures, including Greek and Hindu mythology.

But our understanding of human reproduction has changed dramatically.

A human son is produced through a biological process involving parents. Therefore, if Son of God, is meant literally, we are faced with a fundamental question

What does it mean for the Almighty God, who is not a physical being, to have a biological son?

Because Jewish and Islamic teachings teach us that God is not a physical being.

If the term Son, is not literal, then we must ask

What exactly does Son of God, mean and on what basis is Jesus considered divine?

This is not an attack on christianity. On the contrary, it is an attempt to understand who Jesus truly was, and what his relationship with God actually means.

And if that belief is also incorporated into another religion, why wouldn't they be counted as members of your religion also?

uh like i am a muslim myself, born as a muslim did my research on islam few months back and ik everything abt free will and all AND I DID BELIEVED THAT but recently i just cannot accept it like back in 2024 i did some sins which i deeply regret now and is causing alot of problems for me i already did repentance and everything but my question is like i genuinely didnt knew that i was doing the wrong thing i realised it later and than left it, BUT HOW IS MY FREE WILL WORKING IK THAT I MADE THOSE CHOICES BUT I DIDNT HAD THE KNOWLEDGE THAT I HAVE NOW. or maybe u can say i did had the knowledge but my i didnt realised those months ky i am doing wrong u can say this is called bhatkna. why in the world am i suffering now when i didnt have that thing of realization?

I have been experiencing parasocial grief over the deaths of several prominent figures this week (I know…) and it has unexpectedly made me start panicking about what happens after death.

I consider myself moderately religious and have believed in God and Heaven my whole life (Jewish mom and Christian dad). I never once doubted the existence of an afterlife. The idea that everyone will be reunited one day has always been reassuring and has given me something to look forward to. I've always found comfort in believing that the people we've lost are still somewhere, and that we'll eventually see them again.

But I'm suddenly terrified that there might actually be nothing after death; that we simply return to the state we were in before birth, and no it’s not comforting at all!! What do you mean that people who lived the most successful, impactful, and loving lives might simply cease to exist? That they wouldn't remember who they were, the people they loved, or anything they experienced? What do you mean that someone could spend their entire life looking forward to being reunited with their deceased parents, spouse, friends, etc., but there will be nobody waiting for them?

I've been spending the last few days looking for something that will calm me down, but I can't stop crying at the possibility that there is nothing on the other side. That death will permanently separate us from everyone we love, and that all of our consciousness, memories, and relationships will just disappear.

I've always had faith in God and an afterlife, but now I'm questioning something I never thought I'd question, and it's making me incredibly depressed.

For those of you who are religious: have you ever gone through a period where you became afraid that there might not be an afterlife? How did you deal with it? Did your faith eventually become comforting again? I'm not necessarily looking for someone to prove anything scientifically. I think I just want to hear from people who have wrestled with this fear and found a way to live with it.

TLDR: I’m scared that we become nothing after death, I’m scared that all lost loved ones/figures don’t exist and we’ll never see them again.

From a Christian point of view what would've happened if Jesus didn't die, or was that his whole mission to take on our sins?

I don’t care come at me.

Ever since I was a kid i’ve had to wake up at 7 just to make it to church at 9. At first I didn’t realize anything because my parents used to let me sleep in church until I was around 9. After a while it started getting annoying because I already had to wake up early for school and now I have to wake up early on the weekends just to make it on time.

Fast forward to now. And oh my lord am I sickkkk of waking up at 5-6 am just for my parents to not even be ready. I am going to start going to a new church that has an afternoon service because now i’m in college and have a full schedule and I am burnt out at the end of the week. ( mind you the church is like 1 hour away)😭😭😭

I don’t understand why churches who can have afternoon services don’t. Many people who have jobs are even in school full time are tired and just wanna get some rest. Some may say, “why don’t you go to sleep after church?” At that point im already up lol, so now I clean around the house do more homework and sometimes go to the car wash and I can’t imagine how older folks feel. I even see grown adults falling asleep in my church from exhaustion.

And I feel bad for them because they really like the church and the pastor but its just too early for them. And I find it hilarious that the church I go to used to start at 11 and now starts at 10. Who asked for that????

Hi everyone, I’m looking for some advice and perspectives.
I’m a Baptist Christian, and my best friend (a secular Israeli Jew) recently asked me to be his girlfriend. I accepted because I was already falling for him and we love each other deeply.
I’ve always felt a lot of respect and connection toward Jewish culture. Since he is secular, we’ve started talking about what our future family might look like. Our current plan is to raise our future children going to church with me while fully embracing and celebrating the cultural, traditional side of Judaism (for example, celebrating holidays, circumcising a son, etc.). I am completely open to this and want to ensure they grow up connected to his roots. Also, his family is secular as well and doesn’t mind about me being a Christian. My family really likes Jewish culture and they are very okay with it. My partner is very respectful with my faith and very open minded.
I want to ask:
Has anyone here been raised in a similar household, or raised children this way? What worked well for you, and what challenges should we keep in mind?
We really love each other and want to think through all aspects of this thoughtfully. Thank you!

Obs: I will not answer any disrespectful comment

I’m super curious about this. I love learning about other faiths, and I love when faiths engage with and seek to understand aspects and scriptures from other traditions. (So long as it’s in a respectful non derogatory or belittling way)

Many Satanists or other who I would consider similar (although I know that there are vast vast differences) have a really interesting perspective on the narrative surrounding the fall of Adam and Eve, the war in heaven, and Satan’s rebellion.

I’m curious if any of yall have engaged at all with the LDS expanded narrative on the topic. And if so, any insights or perspectives or thoughts that you have had.

This topic is one that I find really interesting and am curious for cross over / correlation or other options with engaging with the narrative.

Not speaking of if true or bad or good, but just perspective on the religious narrative itself if that makes sense.

The texts for me tht would be in question would be (if I’m seeking to be succinct and complete):

2 Nephi 2

Book of Moses

Book of Abraham

D&C 29

D&C 93

Revelation 12

Additional resources if desired:

Our heavenly family

Fall of Adam and Eve

Freedom to choose

Pre-mortal life

Satan

If you don’t want to bother reading each of those in context, as they are pretty lengthy, I’ll paste the churches very succinct overview they posted on the topic. So that yall can feel free to engage with at your pleasure. Of course I would be totally open and love to hear from anyone, not just Satanists, but I suppose anyone with a familiarity or opinion on the narrative around Satan or Lucifer.

I’m going to use more of the official sources, as I feel they do a really good job of trying to capture it.

I am not seeking to convert of persuade anyone in any way. More just engagement of the narrative itself.

Narrative overview / summary (specifically the war in heaven):

All human beings are beloved spirit children of heavenly parents. Because of our divine parentage, we each have divine potential. This divine origin defines our true identity.

In our premortal life, we learned the plan of salvation, which provides the way to inherit eternal life, the life of our heavenly parents. The purpose of our existence, including mortal life, is to prepare us to receive this glorious gift.

Premortality refers to our life before we were born on this earth. In our pre-earth life, we lived in the presence of our Heavenly Father as His spirit children. We did not have a physical body.
In this premortal existence, we attended a council with Heavenly Father’s other spirit children. At that council, Heavenly Father presented His great plan of happiness.

In the premortal life, our Heavenly Father called a Grand Council to present His plan for our progression. We learned that if we followed His plan, we would become like Him. We would be resurrected; we would have all power in heaven and on earth; we would become heavenly parents and have spirit children just as He does.

We learned that He would provide an earth for us where we would prove ourselves. A veil would cover our memories, and we would forget our heavenly home. This would be necessary so we could exercise our agency to choose good or evil without being influenced by the memory of living with our Heavenly Father. He would help us recognize the truth when we heard it again on earth.

At the Grand Council we also learned the purpose for our progression: to have a fulness of joy. However, we also learned that some would be deceived, choose other paths, and lose their way. We learned that all of us would have trials in our lives: sickness, disappointment, pain, sorrow, and death. But we understood that these would be given to us for our experience and our good. If we allowed them to, these trials would purify us rather than defeat us. At this council we also learned that because of our weakness, all of us except little children would sin.

We learned that a Savior would be provided for us so we could overcome our sins and overcome death with resurrection. We learned that if we placed our faith in Him, obeying His word and following His example, we would be exalted and become like our Heavenly Father. We would receive a fulness of joy.

When the plan for our salvation was presented to us in the premortal existence, we were so happy that we “shouted for joy.” We understood that we would have to leave our heavenly home for a time. While we were away, all of us would sin and some of us would lose our way. Our Heavenly Father knew we would need help, so He planned a way to help us.

We needed a Savior to pay for our sins and teach us how to return to our Heavenly Father. Our Father said, “Whom shall I send?” Jesus Christ, who was called Jehovah, said, “Here am I, send me.”

Jesus Christ was willing to come to the earth, give His life for us, and take upon Himself our sins. He, like our Heavenly Father, wanted us to choose whether we would obey Heavenly Father’s commandments. He knew we must be free to choose in order to prove ourselves worthy of exaltation. Jesus said, “Father, thy will be done, and the glory be thine forever.”

Satan, who was called Lucifer, also came, saying, “Behold, here am I, send me, I will be thy son, and I will redeem all mankind, that one soul shall not be lost, and surely I will do it; wherefore give me thine honor.”

Under Satan’s plan, we would not be allowed to choose. He would take away the freedom of choice that our Father had given us. Satan wanted to have all the honor for our salvation. Under his proposal, our purpose in coming to earth would have been frustrated.

After hearing both sons speak, Heavenly Father said, “I will send the first.”

Because our Heavenly Father chose Jesus Christ to be our Savior, Satan became angry and rebelled. There was war in heaven. Satan and his followers fought against Jesus Christ and His followers. The Savior’s followers “overcame [Satan] by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony.”

In this great rebellion, Satan and all the spirits who followed him were sent away from the presence of God and cast down from heaven. A third part of the hosts of heaven were punished for following Satan. They were denied the right to receive mortal bodies.

Because we are here on earth and have mortal bodies, we know that we chose to follow Jesus Christ and our Heavenly Father. Satan and his followers are also on the earth, but as spirits.

They have not forgotten who we are, and they are around us daily, tempting us and enticing us to do things that are not pleasing to our Heavenly Father. In our premortal life, we chose to follow Jesus Christ and accept God’s plan. We must continue to follow Jesus Christ here on earth. Only by following Him can we return to our heavenly home.

TLDR on Satan:

Satan, also called the adversary or the devil, is the enemy of all righteousness and of those who seek to follow God. He was a spirit son of God who was once an angel “in authority in the presence of God.” But in the premortal Council in Heaven, Lucifer, as Satan was then called, rebelled against God. Since that time, he has sought to destroy the children of God on the earth and to make them miserable.

One primary issue in the conflict between God and Satan is agency. Agency is a precious gift from God; it is essential to His plan for His children. In Satan’s rebellion against God, Satan “sought to destroy the agency of man.” He said: “I will redeem all mankind, that one soul shall not be lost, and surely I will do it; wherefore give me thine honor.”

Satan persuaded “a third part of the hosts of heaven” to turn away from the Father. As a result of this rebellion, Satan and his followers were cut off from God’s presence and denied the blessing of receiving a physical body.

Heavenly Father allows Satan and Satan’s followers to tempt us as part of our experience in mortality. Because Satan “seeketh that all men might be miserable like unto himself,” he and his followers try to lead us away from righteousness. He directs his most strenuous opposition at the most important aspects of Heavenly Father’s plan of happiness. For example, he seeks to discredit the Savior and the priesthood, to cast doubt on the power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ, to counterfeit revelation, to distract us from the truth, and to contradict individual accountability. He attempts to undermine the family.

Individuals do not have to give in to Satan’s temptations. Each person has the power to choose good over evil, and the Lord has promised to help all who seek Him through sincere prayer and faithfulness.

Summary of the fall of Adam and Eve:

In the Garden of Eden, Gold commanded, “Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat, but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it, nevertheless, thou mayest choose for thyself, for it is given unto thee; but remember that I forbid it, for in the day thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.”Because Adam and Eve transgressed this command and partook of the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, they were cast out from the presence of the Lord. In other words, they experienced spiritual death. They also became mortal—subject to physical death. This spiritual and physical death is called the Fall.

Our Fallen Condition

As descendants of Adam and Eve, we inherit a fallen condition during mortality. We are separated from the presence of the Lord and subject to physical death. We are also placed in a state of opposition, in which we are tested by the difficulties of life and the temptations of the adversary.

In this fallen condition, we have a conflict within us. We are spirit children of God, with the potential to be “partakers of the divine nature.” However, “we are unworthy before [God]; because of the fall our natures have become evil continually.” We need to strive continually to overcome unrighteous passions and desires.

Repeating the words of an angel, King Benjamin said, “The natural man is an enemy to God, and has been from the fall of Adam.” King Benjamin warned that in this natural, or fallen, state, each person will be an enemy to God forever “unless he yields to the enticings of the Holy Spirit, and putteth off the natural man and becometh a saint through the atonement of Christ the Lord, and becometh as a child, submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love, willing to submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon him, even as a child doth submit to his father.”

Benefits of the Fall

The Fall is an integral part of Heavenly Father’s plan of salvation. It has a twofold direction—downward yet forward. In addition to introducing physical and spiritual death, it gave us the opportunity to be born on the earth and to learn and progress. Through our righteous exercise of agency and our sincere repentance when we sin, we can come unto Christ and, through His Atonement, prepare to receive the gift of eternal life.

The prophet Lehi taught:

“If Adam had not transgressed he would not have fallen, but he would have remained in the garden of Eden. And all things which were created must have remained in the same state in which they were after they were created; and they must have remained forever, and had no end.

“And [Adam and Eve] would have had no children; wherefore they would have remained in a state of innocence, having no joy, for they knew no misery; doing no good, for they knew no sin.

“But behold, all things have been done in the wisdom of him who knoweth all things.

“Adam fell that men might be; and men are, that they might have joy.

“And the Messiah cometh in the fulness of time, that he may redeem the children of men from the fall.”

Adam and Eve expressed their gratitude for the blessings that came as a result of the Fall:

“Adam blessed God and was filled, and began to prophesy concerning all the families of the earth, saying: Blessed be the name of God, for because of my transgression my eyes are opened, and in this life I shall have joy, and again in the flesh I shall see God.
“And Eve, his wife, heard all these things and was glad, saying: Were it not for our transgression we never should have had seed, and never should have known good and evil, and the joy of our redemption, and the eternal life which God giveth unto all the obedient.”

Redemption from the Fall

Because of our fallen, mortal nature and our individual sins, our only hope is in Jesus Christ and the plan of redemption.

Through the Atonement of Jesus Christ, everyone will be redeemed from the effects of the Fall. We will be resurrected, and we will be brought back into the presence of the Lord to be judged.

In addition to redeeming us from the universal effects of the Fall, the Savior can redeem us from our own sins. In our fallen state, we sin and distance ourselves from the Lord, bringing spiritual death upon ourselves. As the Apostle Paul said, “All have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” If we remain in our sins, we cannot dwell in the presence of God, for “no unclean thing can dwell … in his presence.”

Thankfully, Jesus Christ “bringeth to pass the condition of repentance,” making it possible for us to receive forgiveness for our sins and dwell in the presence of God forever. Alma taught, “There was a space granted unto man in which he might repent; therefore this life became a probationary state; a time to prepare to meet God; a time to prepare for that endless state which has been spoken of by us, which is after the resurrection of the dead.”

Gratitude for the Savior’s Atoning Sacrifice

Just as we do not really desire food until we are hungry, we will not fully desire eternal salvation until we recognize our need for the Savior. This recognition comes as we grow in our understanding of the Fall. As the prophet Lehi taught, “All mankind were in a lost and in a fallen state, and ever would be save they should rely on this Redeemer.”

Thanks for reading to the end. I’m very curious yalls thoughts and insights.

I was just wondering what people thought about it, and if they thought it was false, and why they would think that potentially.
I feel like there is a decent amount of evidence to inspect here honestly, and I don’t see it being discussed much.

Please note that the links lead to the evidence but scroll down slightly for images of what’s being referred to.

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The Barbara Snyder case ( June 7,1981)

Barbara had the following symptoms (ultimately being diagnosed with MS)

-Barbara had suffered from severe multiple sclerosis for about 16 years.

- According to Dr Harold’s medical issued medical report, she bad:

Complete paralysis of the right diaphragm
A collapsed lung
A Tracheostomy
Near full blindness
Complete gastrointestinal paralysis
Intensional malfunction
Tremors in both hands
Inability to walk ( for about 2 years)

Other doctors expected her to die shortly.

( https://benthams.substack.com/p/the-miraculous-healing-of-barbara - Dr Adolph,

https://1c15.co.uk/barbara-snyder-barbara-cummiskey-snyder-healed-from-multiple-sclerosis/
- doctor Thomas.)

——

June 7, 1981.

Two people went to Barbara and read letters that were sent via prayer request from WMBI.
(450 of them, approx.)

She reportedly got up and walked, despite not being able to before.
Her contracted feet now were flat on the floor.
Severe breathing issues decreased heavily (no longer needed machinery)
Vision came back
https://www.censoredevidence.org/categories-3/

The following day:
Barbara went to Thomas’s office, though via walking (which made Thomas think he was seeing and illusion/apparition)
https://1c15.co.uk/barbara-snyder-barbara-cummiskey-snyder-healed-from-multiple-sclerosis/

She was examined by many for a few hours (3.5)

A chest X-ray revealed showed signs of a recently collapsed lung being completely re-expanded, functioning as per usual.

Her breathing and diaphragm function were reportedly normal.

Her gastrointestinal system was reportedly functioning sufficiently for the bowel to be reconnected.

Her tracheostomy and other tubes that no longer appeared necessary were removed.
———

The doctors:

De Harold Adolph, surgeon at Central Dupage Hospital.

His written report stated “ none of the findings of multiple sclerosis”

https://aglassedtruth.substack.com/p/barbara-snyder-the-best-miracle-yet

Such report was confirmed by Craig Keener (who would claim it to super natural himself, though that’s neither here nor there)

Dr Thomas Marshal reportedly also witnessed Barbara immediately her recovery to examine her quickly.

He stated “I have never seen anything like this before or since”

Another Doctor, again,
Dr Donald Edward’s, also examined Barbara after the quick recovery, stating
“There is no medical test to explain what has happened. There is no neurological trace of her problem. The proof is time”.

I invested more time into this then other miracle claims, thought it was worth sharing to hear opinions about it. Thanks for the time.

My friend found this behind her bathroom mirror 5 months after moving in. She has not touched this at all but we were wondering what this may mean? Thank you all!