My, my. (I didn't know you were so against the entire Christian missionary enterprise. You don't think missionaries are out there only for humanitarian reasons, do you?)
Also, if you weren't aware, one of the major motifs in the New Testament of the Bible is conversion. You're not asking us to be unfaithful to our religious beliefs, are you?
Now let's say I had the "average" life of a Mormon missionary. I'd rise by 7 and be back home between 9:45 and 10 p.m. 6 days a week. (My "off day" is still missionary oriented as it's called a "Preparation Day.")
So if Mormon missionaries spend almost all of their awake life for two years "trying to convert someone else's beliefs" -- do you consider that a-OK by your standards? (Whereas if I spend a few pct pts of my current life doing something similar, I'm divisive? Please explain your seeming inequitable application of standards here)
Secondly even Lds (ex) missionaries will tell you that yes, while they spent a tremendous amount of time "trying to convert someone else's beliefs" -- it wasn't/isn't mostly "instead of" exposing others to their beliefs. 'Twas both. Yes, Lds missionaries go door to door calling Christians "apostates." Yes, Lds missionaries go door to door trying to convert others to their beliefs. But they also share their important beliefs. It's all one bag -- nothing "instead of" about it. You've carved up one ball of wax.
But nice try on your insinuation. I mean, while the average Lds missionary's life is all scheduled out for them for two years, and you can generally figure out what % of their time is spent on what, you don't know what proactive edifying or common-ground sharing with people of other faiths that occurs in other circumstances of my life...church, family, faith-based groups, social settings, etc. Do you?
(And if you do, tell me what crystal ball I should order -- or if it's your own invention, let me market it...we could make a bundle together under the umbrella of free enterprise)
Anyway, please tell me why you assume you know somebody's life in and out?
Also, as Greyfoxx pointed out, you seemingly neglect that I'm just one person...whereas the stated goal of 60,000 worldwide Lds missionaries is to proselytize millions to convert to Mormon beliefs. So my question to you is: Have you ever made these kind of similar statements to a Mormon missionary, an ex-Mormon missionary, or those who support their cause?
(If not? Why not? Why would you be concerned about single me and not necessarily the literal 1 million Lds missionaries who have gone out? Doesn't that seem lopsided?)
Bottom line: you don't seem to be acting any different than the MSM. Your question is no different than what the MSM commonly does: it'll cover the one protestor in the Capital and ignore the million people marching on behalf of life or lower taxes. If you have raised this concern about Lds missionaries on other threads or contexts, just point me to which one or set me straight & I'll apologize for jumping to my own conclusion. If you haven't, then you need to explain your inconsistency: If you're bothered by people trying to convert others, then why are you seemingly not more bothered by 60,000 Lds missionaries spending 70-hour 6-days-a-week-for-2 years "trying to convert someone else's beliefs" than you are me?
I have had many Mormon friends, Southern Baptist friends and agnostic friends. One of my best buddies from the Navy (3 decades ago) is a Catholic Priest. The one thing I notice is that we share a lot more principles and beliefs than we differ on.
That's great. Make friends with people of all faiths. And, that's also great, please share what common ground you have.
Us folks, who support Judeo-Christian principles, Constitutionally protected freedoms, and Western Culture should stand together and fight those who do not. Divisive posts like yours do nothing to further freedom and a strong America.
I'll respond to this challenge in the next post.
“So if Mormon missionaries spend almost all of their awake life for two years “trying to convert someone else’s beliefs” — do you consider that a-OK by your standards?” Yes, as long as they are not doing it on a forum like this, thereby dividing folks who are pretty much on the same side. I support the right of any religion to prosthelytize or do missions, and in fact, I fought for their right to do so.
I would just as quickly point out if a Mormon was posting divisive articles and would find it just as detrimental to the, ummmm, mission of defeating those on the left who aim to enslave us.