How To Be A Good Anti-Mormon

Most people have better things to do with their life than to be an "anti" anything. But for the benefit of Evangelical Christians who think it's their calling in life to become religious stalkers to Mormons and Mormonism, it is worth taking a few minutes to talk about how to at least be a good anti-Mormon (one that can one day stand confidently before God to report on their labors) as opposed to a bad one. My thoughts here, while not responding directly to any one post, were motivated by this post -- apparently by an Evangelical who is just figuring out that the strategy of attacking another's religion and religious beliefs does that person harm rather than good. That's a great place to start.

The first step to being a good anti-Mormon is to be a good Christian. This means making an effort to bring your actions and words into accord with the New Testament directives and examples you are always throwing around. Perhaps you think grace gives you some sort of free pass for your offensive actions vis-a-vis Mormons or perhaps you think you have some higher duty to attack the Mormon faith. If so, you're wrong. Here's how Jesus counseled those he sent out: "I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves." So be more like sheep and doves and less like wolves. Which should make you more of a gentle Christian and less of an adversarial anti-Mormon.

Second, consider New Testament examples. When Jesus visited Samaria and talked with the woman at the well, he didn't tell her, "Samaritans aren't real Jews; you are apostates." No, he took her beliefs seriously and delivered his own positive message. Must have been a nice lesson for his disciples to observe. And the Jews thought even less of Samaritans than Evangelicals think of Mormons. Or consider Paul at Athens, who (we are told) "was greatly distressed to see that the city was full of idols." So did he lead by telling his Greek audience they were a bunch of idol-worshipping pagans? No, he started out with: "Men of Athens! I see that in every way you are very religious." There really is no biblical precedent for the sort of aggressive anti-Mormon message and tactics employed by some so-called Christians.

Third, try some self-criticism. Mormons are pretty good at this. Just browse around Mormon blogs and you'll see all kinds of self-questioning about our doctrine, our history, and our religious practices and culture. It's a sign of self-confidence. I see precious little self-criticism by Evangelicals in the many blogs I've visited. Maybe you're too busy attacking the beliefs of others. Maybe you think criticism is for you to dish out rather than receive. Maybe you just feel your faith is too weak or ungrounded to survive self-criticism. In any case, Jesus commended self-criticism: "Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? ... You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye." Sounds like good advice. And there is plenty of material to work with.

Fourth, try reading a few books. It always helps to speak from a position of knowledge rather than ignorance. Here are a few recommendations: (1) The Scandal of the Evangelical Mind, by religious historian Mark Noll. I remarked on it briefly in this post, which includes a link to a follow-up essay by the author. (2) Misquoting Jesus, by Bart Ehrman, a professor of religious studies. I posted a short review of the book if you're not up to buying and reading the whole thing. (3) How Wide the Divide?: A Mormon and an Evangelical in Conversation. Since the point of the book is that the divide isn't really so wide, this seems like the sort of thing an Evangelical ought to read before launching their own personal crusade predicated on a different perception of Mormonism.

Perhaps my Mormon readers have their own set of suggestions for how Evangelical Christians who are into that sort of thing can become better anti-Mormons.

[When Jesus visited Samaria and talked with the woman at the well, he didn’t tell her, “Samaritans aren’t real Jews; you are apostates.” No, he took her beliefs seriously and delivered his own positive message.]

This is the key, in my opinion.

People can become uncomfortable, hostile and even violent when you attack their belief system. You have to be a sterling model of your own belief. If you show them love, compassion and the inner light of your own Faith as you interact with them, they may become intrigued and begin asking questions. If they hear the right answers they may begin to see the light you see and experience an epiphany. If anyone is worth saving they are worth whatever human time and effort is required to aid that miracle.

TO ALL WHO WANT TO HELP US TO BELIEVE WHAT YOU BELIEVE ABOUT CHRIST AND HOW HE GUIDES HIS PEOPLE ON EARTH.

If this thread is like most others that have anything to do with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, or as we are more often called, the Mormons, it will soon be taken over by those who, for reasons of their own, choose to put down my Church, and those of us who worship with it.

We find no problem with people who really want to talk to us about converting to their religion, we spend a lot of time doing it ourselves.

What we find offensive is when people leave out part of the truth to make a half-true lie , or when some one renames something, that we find important or sacred, so it sounds like gutter talk.

I do not know how to tell the difference all the time. There are some Handles that keep showing up, and they are easy to spot. Sometimes, though, I have given a hard and not so kind response to some who honestly care for us and our salvation.

Please forgive us if we get you mixed up.

Thanks for your time,
fred

You know what Don, since I am one who came out of Mormonism, I can assure you, it wasn’t the loving non-Mormons who lead me to the truth. It was the vocal confrontative “anti-mormons” (as you call them), that lead me away from the lies of Mormonism, and eventually lead me to the truth of Christianity.

Love brought me to Christ. Christ’s love. The truth, and those who tell the truth, lead me away from Mormonism, and that had to be spelled out in plain language, in books, in person.....and now on the wwweb.

I think your article is simply a “feel good” approach to make the truth tellers go away and leave you alone.

Just pinging some of the ex-mormons I know to see what their “take” on this thread is. Since WE are the ones who actually left, I think our opinion of what works is pretty valid.

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