The comment implied that the LDS missionaries are merely trying to sell a product, that they are motivated by a desire to make money, and that they are willing to deceive others to make that money. I pointed out that the accusation is unjustified, since the missionaries are not paid for their work.
Ascribing ulterior motives to other persons, contrary to evidence, is at best uncivil.
http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Edelman
Edelman works for the Mormon Church (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints). While details of their work on the account are scarce, in 1997 Edelman did the PR for re-enactment of thousands of Mormons travelling from Illinois to Utah in covered wagons. [6]
“sales pitch” does not automatically imply/infer that the “seller” is making money.
They’re selling something, either a product, service or in this case a belief.
I don’t see the problem with the quote in this context.
SZ
Ok, lets take a look at this. As a former missionary are you going to deny that when you visited homes you never characterized Christians and the Christian Church as apostate, wrong, abominable, those who give only lip service, deniers of God, Bible corrupters and followers of men? Incase your memory fails you, check your notes - Joseph Smith-History 1:19; third missionary discussion. Is such misrepresentation of Christianity civil or truthful?
You are out there to 'sell' the mormon church. Your immediate and motivational desire is to do this to obtain godhood status (increasing membership is secondary). Ascribing ulterior motives to other persons, contrary to evidence, is at best uncivil.
Where else does the phrase "lying for the lord" get snagged too? The mormon church Logo. Did you tell your contacts about the book of abraham and claim it was a truthful translation of the papyrus? How about smith's polygamy and forcing women into polyandry? Did you discuss these items? If not, why not?
"Lying is intentionally deceiving others. Bearing false witness is one form of lying. The Lord gave this commandment to the children of Israel: 'Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour' (Exodus 20:16). Jesus also taught this when he was on earth (see Matthew 19:18). There are many other forms of lying. When we speak untruths, we are guilty of lying. We can also intentionally deceive others by a gesture or a look, by silence, or by telling only part of the truth. Whenever we lead people in any way to believe something that is not true, we are not being honest." - Gospel Principles, chapter 31, "Honesty"
Who knows how the recent edition of GP has altered this section, however, how much did you intentionally leave out of your presentations Logo? Did you present the truth about how smith 'translated' the bom (using the peep stone in the hat), or did you show them the pious picture of smith with some kind of spectacles and the 'plates' on a table? These are questions only you can answer logo. If you watered down or misrepresented the facts in the effort to get the contact to become a mormon, the act of which shows an ulterior motive and is uncivil - by your definition.