How to be a good guest

[NeuroTypical]

So, I’m active on lots of different forums. Some of them are run by mormons, and I’m right at home. Some of them are debate boards, and we go at each other tooth and nail. Some, like this place, are run by a faith different than mine, and I conduct myself as a guest. That means your place, your rules.

I’m here for two reasons. First, to learn more about my Catholic neighbor and his fascinating, engaging faith. I post mostly here, but I read threads all over CAF, and have learned a lot. Second, to interact with folks who opine about my faith. Show them who I am and what I believe and why. I understand that the very existence of my faith and it’s claims, is something of an affront to Catholics. But it seems like one thing I can do, is to help y’all be at least ticked off at the valid things. There are so many strange claims about my faith that I only hear about from critics. So much wasted effort.

Anyway, I try to take pointers on how I should conduct myself here, from Krister Stendahl. He was a Swedish theologian and New Testament scholar, and Bishop of Stockholm for the Church of Sweden. He was also a professor emeritus at Harvard Divinity School. He created his three rules of religious understanding, responding to folks in Sweden angry at mormons for building a temple in Stockholm:

1.When you are trying to understand another religion, you should ask the adherents of that religion and not its enemies.
2.Don’t compare your best to their worst.
3.Leave room for “holy envy.” (i.e. be willing to recognize things the other guy has, that you admire and wish could have in your own religious tradition or faith.)

Thoughts?

 

[Boston]

Nice guidelines for courtesy.

 

[TexanKnight]

So, I’m active on lots of different forums. Some of them are run by mormons, and I’m right at home. Some of them are debate boards, and we go at each other tooth and nail. Some, like this place, are run by a faith different than mine, and I conduct myself as a guest. That means your place, your rules.

I’m here for two reasons. First, to learn more about my Catholic neighbor and his fascinating, engaging faith. I post mostly here, but I read threads all over CAF, and have learned a lot. Second, to interact with folks who opine about my faith. Show them who I am and what I believe and why. I understand that the very existence of my faith and it’s claims, is something of an affront to Catholics. But it seems like one thing I can do, is to help y’all be at least ticked off at the valid things. There are so many strange claims about my faith that I only hear about from critics. So much wasted effort.

Anyway, I try to take pointers on how I should conduct myself here, from Krister Stendahl. He was a Swedish theologian and New Testament scholar, and Bishop of Stockholm for the Church of Sweden. He was also a professor emeritus at Harvard Divinity School. He created his three rules of religious understanding, responding to folks in Sweden angry at mormons for building a temple in Stockholm:

Thoughts?

I think ne difference here is that there are some former Mormons who likely know as much about Mormons as the current Mormons. That can be frustrating for some Mormons.

 

[RebeccaJ]

So, I’m active on lots of different forums. Some of them are run by mormons, and I’m right at home. Some of them are debate boards, and we go at each other tooth and nail. Some, like this place, are run by a faith different than mine, and I conduct myself as a guest. That means your place, your rules.

I’m here for two reasons. First, to learn more about my Catholic neighbor and his fascinating, engaging faith. I post mostly here, but I read threads all over CAF, and have learned a lot. Second, to interact with folks who opine about my faith. Show them who I am and what I believe and why. I understand that the very existence of my faith and it’s claims, is something of an affront to Catholics. But it seems like one thing I can do, is to help y’all be at least ticked off at the valid things. There are so many strange claims about my faith that I only hear about from critics. So much wasted effort.

Anyway, I try to take pointers on how I should conduct myself here, from Krister Stendahl. He was a Swedish theologian and New Testament scholar, and Bishop of Stockholm for the Church of Sweden. He was also a professor emeritus at Harvard Divinity School. He created his three rules of religious understanding, responding to folks in Sweden angry at mormons for building a temple in Stockholm:

Thoughts?

1.When you are trying to understand another religion, you should ask the adherents of that religion and not its enemies.

I don’t consider any non-Catholic an “enemy”. I think listening to all “sides” is worthwhile. So-called enemies can have valid points.

2.Don’t compare your best to their worst.

Agreed.

3.Leave room for “holy envy.” (i.e. be willing to recognize things the other guy has, that you admire and wish could have in your own religious tradition or faith.)

The problem I’ve seen with this in practice, is that it can come across as condescending. Not to mention, envy is not an attitude that we seek to have.

 

[Bonnie]

3.Leave room for “holy envy.” (i.e. be willing to recognize things the other guy has, that you admire and wish could have in your own religious tradition or faith.)

The problem I’ve seen with this in practice, is that it can come across as condescending. Not to mention, envy is not an attitude that we seek to have.

Maybe call it appreciation. I sure do appreciate the way the LDS church builds temples. They are beautiful! There was quite a to-do in Oregon back in the 90s (I think) when a temple was being planned. The spires were going to be taller than the trees! It got built and is a thing of beauty. I never tired of seeing it as I went down the highway.

Those building Catholic churches could take a lesson from the Mormons.

 

[CarolNoel]

Sorry Boonie, but their temples are too much. They could be used for Cinderella’s castle.

 

[Bonnie]

Sorry Boonie, but their temples are too much. They could be used for Cinderella’s castle.

Yes! It’s the fairy castle look that enchants me.

But while I live in the boonies, my name is Bonnie.

 

[kimg901]

Maybe call it appreciation. I sure do appreciate the way the LDS church builds temples. They are beautiful! There was quite a to-do in Oregon back in the 90s (I think) when a temple was being planned. The spires were going to be taller than the trees! It got built and is a thing of beauty. I never tired of seeing it as I went down the highway.

Those building Catholic churches could take a lesson from the Mormons.

I get sick at looking at temples and churches (lds) I live in Utah and you can go 2 miles and count 3-8 churches! Im sure RebeccaJ can verify this too!

 

[Bonnie]

I get sick at looking at temples and churches (lds) I live in Utah and you can go 2 miles and count 3-8 churches! Im sure RebeccaJ can verify this too!

Are they all as beautful as the temples? The local LDS churches are rather Plain Janes.

 

[twopekinguys]

Maybe call it appreciation. I sure do appreciate the way the LDS church builds temples. They are beautiful! There was quite a to-do in Oregon back in the 90s (I think) when a temple was being planned. The spires were going to be taller than the trees! It got built and is a thing of beauty. I never tired of seeing it as I went down the highway.

Those building Catholic churches could take a lesson from the Mormons.

Have you seen St Peters or Notre Dame?

 

[kimg901]

Are they all as beautful as the temples? The local LDS churches are rather Plain Janes.

Some of the churches are nice, not temple nice but nice.

 

[Bonnie]

Have you seen St Peters or Notre Dame?

Not in person, only pictures. Not quite the same thing. I’ve never been out of the US.

 

[twopekinguys]

Not in person, only pictures. Not quite the same thing. I’ve never been out of the US.

How about the Cathedral for your Diocese?

This is our Cathedral.

chicagoarchitecture.info/Building/3711/Cathedral-of-Saint-Mary-of-the-Immaculate-Conception.php

and

catholicphotographer.com/p717163998/h41b013ec#h41b013ec

Pretty nice architecture I think. The cornerstone was laid in 1885

 

[Reuben_J]

So, I’m active on lots of different forums. Some of them are run by mormons, and I’m right at home. Some of them are debate boards, and we go at each other tooth and nail. Some, like this place, are run by a faith different than mine, and I conduct myself as a guest. That means your place, your rules.

I’m here for two reasons. First, to learn more about my Catholic neighbor and his fascinating, engaging faith. I post mostly here, but I read threads all over CAF, and have learned a lot. Second, to interact with folks who opine about my faith. Show them who I am and what I believe and why. I understand that the very existence of my faith and it’s claims, is something of an affront to Catholics. But it seems like one thing I can do, is to help y’all be at least ticked off at the valid things. There are so many strange claims about my faith that I only hear about from critics. So much wasted effort.

Anyway, I try to take pointers on how I should conduct myself here, from Krister Stendahl. He was a Swedish theologian and New Testament scholar, and Bishop of Stockholm for the Church of Sweden. He was also a professor emeritus at Harvard Divinity School. He created his three rules of religious understanding, responding to folks in Sweden angry at mormons for building a temple in Stockholm:

Thoughts?

Reasonable guideline to me. But perhaps as you said, most important of all is to play by the rule. CAF on posting is quite clear enough, no proselytizing, no personal attack or degrading remark on another’s faith. And if that is adhered to, I don’t think there should be any problem. In fact I think fruitful discussion can take place.

Personally I don’t know about LDS, except when you talk about polygamy, I may chime in. There are many Catholics here though who were once members of your church and they seem to be very well articulated in the knowledge of your faith.

 

[TheIrishman]

Maybe call it appreciation. I sure do appreciate the way the LDS church builds temples. They are beautiful! There was quite a to-do in Oregon back in the 90s (I think) when a temple was being planned. The spires were going to be taller than the trees! It got built and is a thing of beauty. I never tired of seeing it as I went down the highway.

Those building Catholic churches could take a lesson from the Mormons.

I find this funny because i’ve heard that some of our most beautiful temples like the San Diego temple were designed by a Catholic.

 

[RebeccaJ]

Sorry Boonie, but their temples are too much. They could be used for Cinderella’s castle.

Yes, when my daughter was just little we drove past the SLC temple. She asked me who lived in the castle. I said, no one, people just go there to visit the castle.

A relative from out of state asked me (of the same temple) “who’s the guy on the horn in a dress”. That relative is a musician, so Moroni is the guy on the horn…in a band…in a dress. I can’t stop seeing Moroni that way.

 

[RebeccaJ]

I get sick at looking at temples and churches (lds) I live in Utah and you can go 2 miles and count 3-8 churches! Im sure RebeccaJ can verify this too!

Yeah, around here we call them McTemples.

 

[kimg901]

yeah, around here we call them mctemples.

lol :d

 

[Bonnie]

How about the Cathedral for your Diocese?

Tastes in architecture vary. Our Cathedral was built at a time when massive structures were in vogue. The stained glass windows, however, are breathtakingly beautiful!

 

[Stephen168]

Tastes in architecture vary. Our Cathedral was built at a time when massive structures were in vogue. The stained glass windows, however, are breathtakingly beautiful!

Yes, tastes to vary.

Cathedral of Our Lady of Lourdes Spokane, Washington
LDS Temple Spokane, WA