I am totally sick of this!!!!!

[BJ_Colbert]

amgid:

I refer you to post #2 in the thread called “Why are Catholics so interested in the LDS faith?”

Please provide evidence that “Mormons consistently spread vicious falsehoods about the Catholic faith and Christianity in general.”

Please provide evidence that “LDS are deceptive - they misrepresent {obviously intentionally} the Church’s history and doctrines to investigators and other non-members.”

Please provide evidence that “the ‘Elders’ are instructed that Catholics are easy targets.”
The implication evidently is that LDS do these things intentionally, or as a matter of Church policy. Some Church members of course may be misguided or misinformed, and occasionally say things about the Catholic Church or other faiths that the Church as a whole would not approve of. That can happen in every church, including the Catholic Church.

These accusations are false. There is no truth in them. Either back up your claims with evidence, or withdraw your accusations and apologize to LDS.

amgid

amgid and paul dupre,

This is just what Tkdnick is talking about. Why do you have to be so rude to each other. One says a rude thing and the other says something more rude in return. This seems like children arguing.
Don’t argue, just discuss, and before you say something, ask yourselves how you would feel if the thing you are saying was said to you about your religion. This is a very emotionally charged subject and we all need to remember what Jesus Christ would want us to do.
I do not think he would like this bickering amongst ourselves about his teachings. No matter what differences we have, we all believe in and follow Jesus Christ(or at least we should try to)
A good start is to be kind to each other in our disagreements.
remember Charity never faileth…BJ

 

[Joe_Monahan]

I’ve read this thread with interest because it concerns the over-riding purpose of my presence here - to moderate this subforum in a manner that:

• provides faithful of the LDS and Catholic Churches with an opportunity to educate one another and be educated about one another’s faiths; and,
• promotes civil and charitable dialogue, discussion, even debate.

I’ve decided that I will have the last word on this subject which has been addressed both well and poorly in the posts above. After reading my thoughts on the matter, I leave it to your individual discernment as to which posts are which in my mind.

Let me first state that my level of tolerance for intolerance is nil.

To those who complain about the fluidity of Mormon doctrine (like jello, I believe it was described), I offer that I have no personal opinion as to whether this is so. However, I would direct those who make this assertion to the multiplie forums on this site in which significant numbers of persons who consider themselves knowledgeable and strong Catholics routinely and regularly post their individual understandings of doctrine, dogma, etc. Sadly, these posts often evince the same variation in knowledge, understanding, and interpretation that are complained of.

So, I don’t see any particular virtue or value in declaiming that Mormons are purposefully posting falsely here as to the doctrinal or dogmatic beliefs of their Church. In reading this forum, in some detail, it has become clear that, among both Mormons and former Mormons posting here, there exists a wide disparity with regard to their religious education, the extent and depth of the reading that they have done in the Mormon faith, and the interpretation that they have received or given to various tenets.

My suggestion to both sides is that postings be self-edited for stridency before hitting the “submit” button.

Consider the following to represent the points and questions that are in my mind when I read threads here:

• Questions are a better approach than assertions, unless the latter are framed in a non-confrontational and non-accusatory manner.
• Terms of derision, derogatory remarks, baiting, and inflammatory statements are verboten.
• Dredging up embarrassing historical incidents in the history of either Church, unless it is for valid discussion of the effect these have on current Church policy or practice serves no useful purpose.
• Expecting members of a mainstream Church to defend or answer for the excesses or extremism of bodies that have broken with it is a technique that has no merit and can’t be defended.
• Is the post civil and charitable?
• Does the post challenge those to whom it is directed or does it bash them?

And I’ll paraphrase a comment made above by RobertinSD to add:

It is acceptable to question doctrine, but never to question the sincerity of a person’s beliefs

I have been relatively lenient in moderating this forum but, of late, I am growing concerned by the tenor of some of the messaging and will be looking with a more jaundiced eye at perceived rudeness and tit-for-tat responses. Those who elect to flaunt the forum rules or basic tenets of civility and charitable discourse will face appropriate consequences.

Thanks to all who have participated in this thread. The thread is now closed.

Joe Monahan