May We Respect Our Differences Without Attempting to Destroy Another's Faith?

[thecourt]

I am a active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and am wondering is it possible to have a indifference to my church instead of spreading inaccurate statements on the forums, for example.

Catholics and other churches do not like when inaccurate statements are made and yet it appear to say things about my church which are wrong is ok.

If I had questions about the Methodist church, I would ask a Methodist, not someone who is a enemy or not a member.

So if you have questions, why do you not ask a member, such as myself, or refer to www.mormon.org?

 

[RebeccaJ]

I am a active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and am wondering is it possible to have a indifference to my church instead of spreading inaccurate statements on the forums, for example.

Catholics and other churches do not like when inaccurate statements are made and yet it appear to say things about my church which are wrong is ok.

If I had questions about the Methodist church, I would ask a Methodist, not someone who is a enemy or not a member.

So if you have questions, why do you not ask a member, such as myself, or refer to www.mormon.org?

Perhaps if Mormons, in general, told the truth about ALL of their beliefs. Which, are not found at mormon.org. And also if you were honest, and stated up front that you are proselytizing. Such as, putting a link to mormon.org in every post you make.

ldsmag.com/articles/080829cyber.html

No doubt the senior brethren are aware of the enormous potential of hundreds of thousands of Latter-day Saint volunteers of all ages serving with their home computers, tithing a portion of their online time to cyber missionary work, eventually touching the lives of perhaps millions of non-members all over the world, in many different languages. My personal opinion is that LDS cyber missionaries have done their job if all they do is encourage people to visit mormon.org. There in that quiet inspired place, safe from the virtual turmoil almost everywhere else, the Holy Spirit can reach and teach those who share our precious days on earth. Should we labor all our years crying repentance all over CyberSpace and help bring only one soul unto Christ, we are promised much joy in heaven.

So no, we’re not going to sit by while Mormons are playing “cyber missionary”, attempting to convert Catholics.

There are truths about Mormonism that people should know while they are being targeted by Mormons. Truths, which are not coming from Mormons.

Catholics are already part of Christ’s Church, there is no need for you to do missionary work here.

 

[estesbob]

I am a active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and am wondering is it possible to have a indifference to my church instead of spreading inaccurate statements on the forums, for example.

Catholics and other churches do not like when inaccurate statements are made and yet it appear to say things about my church which are wrong is ok.

If I had questions about the Methodist church, I would ask a Methodist, not someone who is a enemy or not a member.

So if you have questions, why do you not ask a member, such as myself, or refer to www.mormon.org?

So what is your reason for posting in a Catholic forum?

 

[ralphinal]

Is there not a “milk before meat” concept that says not to tell the larger claims that the LDS faith makes until the person is brought into the fold?

 

[a_cermak]

I don’t know the history of the OP or the undercurrents I’m picking up from the replies, but I do find it a good idea that anyone having questions about what another religion or denomination teaches, should really ask a member of that faith. I have read some real silliness about what Jews believe, what the religion of Islam believes, what Sikhs believe, etc. There is really no need to speculate or pass along rumor, just ask an adherent or find a fairly neutral site like adherents.com.

For example, until visiting adherents.com I had never heard of the Abecedarians, and now I have and know that I would likely not be comfortable amongst them!

 

[ralphinal]

I don’t know the history of the OP or the undercurrents I’m picking up from the replies, but I do find it a good idea that anyone having questions about what another religion or denomination teaches, should really ask a member of that faith. I have read some real silliness about what Jews believe, what the religion of Islam believes, what Sikhs believe, etc. There is really no need to speculate or pass along rumor, just ask an adherent or find a fairly neutral site like adherents.com.

For example, until visiting adherents.com I had never heard of the Abecedarians, and now I have and know that I would likely not be comfortable amongst them!

In principle, you are correct. Some people, and faiths, are not as willing to tell the deep doctrine to non-followers. The mort extreme case is getting a Scientologist to discuss Xenu. However, there seems to be a tendency among some LDS to hid to gloss over some teachings that they have. Some of the former LDS on here have shown this to be the case. Not all of them do this, but it can be tough to know who is and who is not.

 

[twopekinguys]

I have to agree with Rebecca.

Forums are a place of discussion, they are not a place to provide links to another faith’s website. (an incomplete on at that)

Discussion between members of faiths promote learning and understanding, not link chasing.

I have to agree that putting a link to another faith’s website is more like prostelyising than discussing.

If you are willing to discuss your faith respectfully, honestly and openly, then I am sure you will receive the same amount of respect, honesty and openness that you demonstrate.

I am also detecting a bit of the “You’re persecuting me” tone in your post which I feel is unwarranted. But that could be me:shrug:

 

[thecourt]

So are you suggesting that when I place a website, as a source of information, to answer that is bad thing? Secondly, I am not available more time than others so do I need to be? I know I am not required.

I am willing to answer questions — if you are looking to answers to the recycled Anti Mormon garbage, I will not be answering those questions.

 

[estesbob]

So are you suggesting that when I place a website, as a source of information, to answer that is bad thing? Secondly, I am not available more time than others so do I need to be? I know I am not required.

I am willing to answer questions — if you are looking to answers to the recycled Anti Mormon garbage, I will not be answering those questions.

That link has probably been given several dozen times in the last year alone on Catholic answer forums. I find it rather sketchy and is does not address some of the more controversial things I’ve heard about Mormonism - things that I never can seem to get an answer from the Mormons who visit these forms.

For instance: Do Mormons believe that Jesus and Satan are brothers? Do Mormons believe that we will be god of our own planet after we die? What is blood libel? Do Mormons believe that some of their doctrines should be withheld until one has formally converted? What is the purpose of the special underwear Mormons wear? Or is this special underwear just a myth?

I’m not asking these questions to be confrontational. It is just I have asked these things many times and never seem to be able to get a satisfactory answer.

 

[RebeccaJ]

So are you suggesting that when I place a website, as a source of information, to answer that is bad thing? Secondly, I am not available more time than others so do I need to be? I know I am not required.

I am willing to answer questions — if you are looking to answers to the recycled Anti Mormon garbage, I will not be answering those questions.

I am suggesting that you are being a Mormon cyber-missionary, as your church has directed you to do. Almost word for word as posted in the link I gave. And yes, proselytizing is against forum rules.

You are not engaging in discussion at all, rather, you want to preach with no questions asked, other than the questions you want to answer.

Good luck with that.

 

[thecourt]

Your questions I won’t give lengthy answers to two of them because there things, if you were a member, would give you the explanation you are seeking, so answering them here is of no benefit.

1. The question regarding Jesus and Satan — you would have to be open to life before we were here (preexistance) to receive the answer.
2. God of planet garbage is just recycled Anti Mormon.

3)Any member of the church, who has been baptized and confirmed (received the Holy Ghost) has nothing held from them – the answer they and and even I ask is do I want to know the will of the Lord or further my will?

4)The temple garments are sacred, not the Anti Mormon garbage of secret, with everything with temple that is not revealed. Members of the church, who do not have a temple recommend (the equivalent of a ATM card to receive money from a ATM – you have one, you can assess money no card no money — the same with the recommend – meaning if you wanted to enter one of the temples worldwide without a recommend, you would be asked to leave (the only time nonmembers have access to the temple is during public open houses only).

I hope the answers were helpfult to you.

 

[a_cermak]

I was in Nauvoo, IL some time back, looking through the graveyards there, and I took a look at the Mormon temple there. While I was looking at it, once of the nice young folk came out to chat, he asked me if I was a Mormon, I said, no, I was a Jew. Anyway, he invited me in! I was shocked, I was like, aren’t outsiders banned from seeing it? He indicated that they were far more concerned with apostate Mormons than they were people of other faiths. So, I got to see the inside, and it’s very nice. I certainly didn’t see anything shocking!

And given my own Faith’s history, I’m highly skeptical when folks provide lurid tales of what goes on at XYZ religion’s rituals.

 

[thecourt]

I question if you went into the temple itself – did you go into a visitor’s center explaining about the temple and other church beliefs?

Only temple recommend holders may enter the temples anywhere worldwide – nonmembers may go into one for public open houses only (the temple was refurnished and would be dedicated again)

 

[1ke]

I am a active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and am wondering is it possible to have a indifference to my church

Well, no.

Jesus said he would spit the lukewarm out of his mouth. We are called to preach the Gospel and save souls.

If that includes things you don’t want to hear about the falsities of your own religion… well, I guess that can’t be helped.

 

[KingAlfred]

I am a active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and am wondering is it possible to have a indifference to my church instead of spreading inaccurate statements on the forums, for example.

Catholics and other churches do not like when inaccurate statements are made and yet it appear to say things about my church which are wrong is ok.

If I had questions about the Methodist church, I would ask a Methodist, not someone who is a enemy or not a member.

So if you have questions, why do you not ask a member, such as myself, or refer to www.mormon.org?

It’s the age-old element of distrust. You should hear the crazy stuff anti-Catholics say about us.

 

[thecourt]

Who are you say want is accurate or not about my church? Just concluding that I want won’t response to “false statements” does not mean that I have something to hide — I could give chapter and verse on the some of the Anti Mormon “false statements” and how they came about. Basically, a true principle has not been understood from the beginning and one or more interprets incorrectly and when I am am suppose to explain if it is accurate or not and refuse, then I supposedly hiding something.

My point can stated this way – recently a book available in bookstores claims that a woman centuries ago was the only female Catholic pope — where the church explain what the author has written in the book? I doubt it.

 

[thecourt]

What is the point if I am seeking to know if the Catholic church claims are accurate? Believing the enemies is real wise.

 

[estesbob]

Your questions I won’t give lengthy answers to two of them because there things, if you were a member, would give you the explanation you are seeking, so answering them here is of no benefit.

1. The question regarding Jesus and Satan — you would have to be open to life before we were here (preexistance) to receive the answer.

What kind of answer is that? It’s a pretty straightforward question. Do Mormons believe that Jesus and Satan are brothers?

1. God of planet garbage is just recycled Anti Mormon.

So was that just a myth made up by non-Mormons or is it a distortion of actual Mormon doctrine

3)Any member of the church, who has been baptized and confirmed (received the Holy Ghost) has nothing held from them – the answer they and and even I ask is do I want to know the will of the Lord or further my will?

I assume the answer then is yes. There are doctrines withheld from potential converts until that actually committed the church. What kind of policy is that?

4)The temple garments are sacred, not the Anti Mormon garbage of secret, with everything with temple that is not revealed. Members of the church, who do not have a temple recommend (the equivalent of a ATM card to receive money from a ATM – you have one, you can assess money no card no money — the same with the recommend – meaning if you wanted to enter one of the temples worldwide without a recommend, you would be asked to leave (the only time nonmembers have access to the temple is during public open houses only).

I had a friend who wore his special undergarments all the time. Was he wrong in doing this ?

hope the answers were helpfult to you.

You flat-out refused to answer two of them and waffled on the others. I do think you came here to prostelyze and it has been interesting to watch the milk before meat technique used before my very eyes. I wondered if this was true(milk before meat) but watching your artful dodge of the Jesus and Satan brothers question and as to whether doctrines were withheld from potential converts was a perfect example of the way it was described to me.

it sounds like there are doctrines you are ashamed of and try to hide from potential converts. If I’m wrong why do you refuse to answer the questions?

 

[estesbob]

What is the point if I am seeking to know if the Catholic church claims are accurate? Believing the enemies is real wise.

The Catholic Church makes no secret of its doctrines. Why does the Mormon church have doctrines they refuse to reveal until one is already converted?

 

[twopekinguys]

I must also state that one of the problems I have with you posting the link to mormon.org, is that it is nothing but a “feel good” site, giving all the goody goody stuff.

It is not a searchable site at all. If you click on “ask a question” your only options are to have a missionary contact you, or to chat with one online.

Sounds like Prostlytizing to me.

Why don’t you use lds.org instead? It is a searchable site, where you can find answers about things like “seer stone” “mountain meadows”, “curse of caine”, “kolob”, “eternal progression”, etc. etc.

One thing to keep in mind is, just because someone disagrees with the lds doesn’t mean they are being hateful, or anti-mormon.

My challenge to you is this: You are on a catholic forum, prove your position, don’t pass it on to professional online missionaries at mormon.org