Posted on 02/12/2010 8:29:49 AM PST by colorcountry
I asked for it.
My column last week was met with an overwhelming response from active Latter-day Saints, objective religious observers and fervent anti-Mormons. It made its way onto several message boards and blogs, sparking discussions that ran the gamut from the insightful and constructive to the snarky and fruitless.
All in all, the column -- in which I encouraged Mormon readers to genuinely ask aggressors why they so dislike the church and its members -- garnered hundreds of replies. There was no way I could have responded to every message.
Still, many of their responses were insightful and, I believe, important for Latter-day Saints to hear. I struggled with whether I should post them in my column because, after all, I am an active, believing Mormon writing for other active, believing Mormons. But ultimately I determined I would be remiss if I asked a question in this column without providing any of the answers.
I should say now that I definitely do not agree with or accept every assertion made in the following comments. But I do believe they are opinions that are held by many sincere, reasonable people, and that means we should take notice
The purpose of sharing these comments is not to discourage the faith of active Latter-day Saints. Rather, it is intended to be an education to those of us who hope to change others' opinions and perceptions of our church.
R-E-S-P-E-C-T
"If you want respect, respect others. Respect my time and understand that the intrusion of missionaries, pushy or otherwise, is an encroachment on my time. I don't appreciate having missionaries trying to strike up a conversation on the street that inevitably leads to debate. I have my beliefs ... among which is that the Mormon Church is false. I don't want to talk about it in a conversation that ends up in a mental battle over who got in the final word and who happens to be right. If I say 'no' I mean it. Don't try striking up the conversation from a different angle. Simply say 'OK,' say something nice like, 'Have a nice day,' smile and go about your business."
JUDGE NOT THAT YE BE NOT JUDGED
"So, about a year ago, I decided to read the Book of Mormon one more time, and pray about it, just like an investigator would. ...
"What do I hate? When I share that story with a member (usually someone I trust) and they tell me that God didn't answer my prayers after years of questioning and studying and, yeah, pleading for guidance because 1) I wasn't sincere enough, 2) I wasn't worthy enough, 3) I wasn't listening hard enough, or 4) I'm a liar.
"You see, none of these faithful members know my heart, yet despite a 'divine' commandment to 'judge not,' or to 'judge not unrighteous judgments' that's exactly what they do."
THREATENING THEIR BELIEF SYSTEM
"As a non-member, I can offer you a few thoughts concerning this subject. For starters 'they' are taught to hate you. Mormons do not fit the 'traditional' definition of Christianity as understood by several of the predominant denominations. As a youth I was raised Roman Catholic. It was taught at that time (mid- to late '50s) that if you were not Catholic you were a follower of the devil and would automatically be condemned to hell. ...
"One thing the so-called traditional faiths share is a belief in the New Testament of the Bible as their sole source of religious inspiration. They also share a common resentment of anyone who challenges that belief system.
"Now arriving is the Latter-day Saints, the Mormons, newcomers to the religious community with a new book of spiritual inspiration that is outside of the traditionally accepted realm of truths. It most certainly does not 'fit in' with long-accepted dogma. With your aggressive pursuit of growth and well-funded expansion 'they' feel threatened.
"Unfortunately, as with any new challenge to one's beliefs, if it doesn't reinforce the belief system of the established traditional congregation, they fear it.
"As to 'Why do they hate us?' I can only suggest that you haven't convinced 'them' of the truth of your message. But take comfort in the fact that you are not alone. 'They' challenge each other as vigorously as they challenge you for the right to claim exclusive rights to understanding our creation and our place in a spiritual kingdom."
(Excerpted)
I can see the results of Mormonism (great family values, millions of conservative pro-American voters) and I can see the results of a few narrowly defined fundy bigots whose life's mission is to destroy them. That's all I need to know.
The idea that the American Indians were a lost tribe of Israel was actually pretty widespread at that time. Smith didn’t “make it up”, it was something he’d heard from other people (same goes for other key elements of Mormon theology, some of which came from theologians Thomas Dick and Emanuel Swedenborg, whose published works were available to Smith and widely discussed in Smith’s circles). As for the “Gold Tablets”, objectively speaking it isn’t any less believable than the story of the Ten Commandments being handed to Moses on stone tablets by way of a burning bush (and I don’t believe either story is true in any literal sense).
What makes missionaries believe they have the right to accost one on a street?
Boundaries, anyone?
The First Amendment, maybe?
You can simply do what I do, say 'no thanks', and walk away. Trying to make an issue of missionaries means you don't take the Bill of Rights very seriously when it gets in the way of your not wanting to be offended.
Actually I don’t either. Once in a while I pass some who are tracting on the street, but they don’t go after me or anyone else directly — they just ask inviting questions to the passing crowd in general, and only strike up direct conversations with the few who stop and respond to them. That’s why I said whoever wrote that “complaint” is pretty silly. It’s clearly someone who *chooses* to keep stopping to debate with them, and yet complains that they keep offering that opportunity.
84% is really unbalanced. I spend 29% of my life just sleeping, another 36% of so just earning a living. I could add up all my other tasks, but it probably leaves me just 5% of my life or so to spend on religion. Maybe I could use a little bit more?
So you've left what you consider one cult to join another? Good luck. I'm moving on. You can have the last word.
#5 says he hates the doctrine, is that the same?
I want to raise an objection to the word "hate" used in the title....it immediately characterizes us anti's as a body that dislikes the people of mormonism, when in fact the system, theology and implementation of that belief system is what I consider at odds with Christians who can trace an apostolic lineage and believe in a Trinitarian Monotheistic God
>>”Your posting history tells very little about your conversion to Christ and a lot about your hatred of Mormons.”<<
Very good response! Near perfect.
Funny, that First Amendment right, give them the right to speak, and others the right to be offended.
It sounds like you might not think disagreement is also a right.
And exactly where did I say that? You need to get a grip.
Thanks for the mind-reading. Is there a fee?
Your own words betray you. No mind reading necessary.
That's all I need to know.
fundy bigots
Well, you put that all in persuasive for me with your fabulous arguments.
OK, thanks
New crop today, with same old statements.
Yep, isn’t it great? :D
With same old goal in mind.
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