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

[ralphinal]

IT seems to me, and this is just my little observation, that the issue is that the LDS church, or at least some of its members, are ashamed of some of the teachings of that church, either currently or in the past. This causes the secrecy and evasion that we see. Some are quick to counter these claims with the current teaching, most are not and simply call it anti-Mormon garbage.

Mountain Meadows was an act, not a teaching. Zerinus is willing to discuss it. Not all are.

What frustraits so many of us is that we ask a simple, straight forward question and we get obfuscation and evasion. Either it is or it is not. Anything else is a dodge. Now, you can say WHY it is or is not, but to evade it is to do more harm to your claim.

The Catholic Church did not change its teachings about salvation. There are tons of threads on here. I know, I answered in a lot of them. What we did change was the HUMAN understanding of why people are not Catholic. This has nothing to do with God or his teachings.

 

[thecourt]

As I have read a number of your replies to the thread I started, most of you seek answer I am not going to answer, yet when I provide a source that has information to your questions, “supposed I an d the church is hiding something”.

Most of your responses validate what I know – you are bigoted toward my church and wish we did not make the professions that we do.

I am grateful beyond words for the Holy Ghost, the source of truth versus Catholics, I know personally, who do not receive confirmation of what their church teaches through the Holy Ghost – basically if the priests preaches it in the homily, it is the truth and dare not question or find out for one’s self if its true.

To conclude (so spare me any more complaints of "what my church won’t answer for this that or other recycled Anti Mormon garbage) – learn to respect others of other faiths instead of calling them crazy or nuts for believing such — the secular progreesives who contend anyone who has loyalty to any church is mentally disturbed should wake you up more than what the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is doing.

 

[Prodigal_Son1]

As I have read a number of your replies to the thread I started, most of you seek answer I am not going to answer, yet when I provide a source that has information to your questions, “supposed I an d the church is hiding something”.

Most of your responses validate what I know – you are bigoted toward my church and wish we did not make the professions that we do.

I am grateful beyond words for the Holy Ghost, the source of truth versus Catholics, I know personally, who do not receive confirmation of what their church teaches through the Holy Ghost – basically if the priests preaches it in the homily, it is the truth and dare not question or find out for one’s self if its true.

To conclude (so spare me any more complaints of "what my church won’t answer for this that or other recycled Anti Mormon garbage) – learn to respect others of other faiths instead of calling them crazy or nuts for believing such — the secular progreesives who contend anyone who has loyalty to any church is mentally disturbed should wake you up more than what the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is doing.

I received one of your “proseltizing” private messages directing me to the website. As I said in my response to you, those are only basic beliefs and do not offer answers to the questions being presented on these forums. To suggest the answers are there are as misleading as the answers or avoidance of answering our questions seems to be on these forums by Mormons. To be so misleading is hiding the truth.

Please note, some of Mormon claims are accusatory towards the Catholic Church and we have responded in defense of our Church. We did NOT venture out to a Mormon forum and initiate the discussions. You come here, to a Catholic forum with false claims against our Church and then want to call us bigoted? That’s irony for you.

 

[estesbob]

As I have read a number of your replies to the thread I started, most of you seek answer I am not going to answer, yet when I provide a source that has information to your questions, “supposed I an d the church is hiding something”.

Most of your responses validate what I know – you are bigoted toward my church and wish we did not make the professions that we do.

I am grateful beyond words for the Holy Ghost, the source of truth versus Catholics, I know personally, who do not receive confirmation of what their church teaches through the Holy Ghost – basically if the priests preaches it in the homily, it is the truth and dare not question or find out for one’s self if its true.

To conclude (so spare me any more complaints of "what my church won’t answer for this that or other recycled Anti Mormon garbage) – learn to respect others of other faiths instead of calling them crazy or nuts for believing such — the secular progreesives who contend anyone who has loyalty to any church is mentally disturbed should wake you up more than what the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is doing.

if the only answer you can give to people asking specific questions about Mormon doctrine is that they are bigoted I would recommend you go back to missionary school.

It’s hard for me to respect your doctrines if you refuse to explain them.

 

[twopekinguys]

As I have read a number of your replies to the thread I started, most of you seek answer I am not going to answer,Why? yet when I provide a source that has information to your questions, “supposed I an d the church is hiding something”.You make it look that way by your refusal to answer direct questions, and your providing only a link to a site that provides only a portion of what the lds believe.

Most of your responses validate what I know – you are bigoted toward my church and wish we did not make the professions that we do.Defense of the Catholc faith on a Catholic forum hardly constitutes bigotry

I am grateful beyond words for the Holy Ghost,We are too, we receive it at confirmation the source of truth versus Catholics, I know personally, who do not receive confirmation of what their church teaches through the Holy Ghost – basically if the priests preaches it in the homily, it is the truth and dare not question or find out for one’s self if its true.Now who is spreading lies, and showing bigotry about another faith?

To conclude (so spare me any more complaints of "what my church won’t answer for this that or other recycled Anti Mormon garbage) – learn to respect others of other faiths instead of calling them crazy or nuts for believing suchYou realize you have to give respect in order to get respect right? You’re not showing much right now. — the secular progreesives who contend anyone who has loyalty to any church is mentally disturbed should wake you up more than what the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is doing. Now, there, you may have found something everyone can agree on.

In my humble opinion, you didn’t come here to clear up any misconceptions Catholics have about the lds. You coming here was a feeble attempt at gaining converts, and you were caught. (sending pm’s about your witness, etc.)

Your statements in your last post clearly show that you have no intention now, or in the near future of **learning **anything about the Catholic faith other than what your church teaches, and that is truly sad.

One of the great things about the Catholic church is that we know we are sinners, and we try hard everyday on a personal basis to become less sinful.

Another great thing about the Catholic church is, we acknowledge our past. The good AND the bad. We may not be proud of the bad things, but we don’t hide from them either. Unfortunately, that isn’t the case with some faiths.

I pray that you become less jaded in your opinions of other faiths, and open yourself up to actually learning something about others. Knowledge of other faiths will do one of two things. 1. Make you stronger in your faith as an lds. 2. Make you realize that there may be more “truth” out there than what you currently have.

 

[RebeccaJ]

IT seems to me, and this is just my little observation, that the issue is that the LDS church, or at least some of its members, are ashamed of some of the teachings of that church, either currently or in the past. This causes the secrecy and evasion that we see. Some are quick to counter these claims with the current teaching, most are not and simply call it anti-Mormon garbage.

thecourt is a new convert to Mormonism, so, he has not been exposed to the “meat” of Mormonism. In his PM to me he stated he was going to go to RCIA but instead he converted to Mormonism.

The things we’re bring up, he’s never heard, and so the reaction is, like all Mormons who first discover the deception they are under, that WE are lying, rather than their church.

He keeps falling back on his Holy Ghost feelings, which, is what the Mormons have trained him to do. Don’t seek after truth, whatever you do, keep jonesing after feeling good. Bad feelings, those ones nagging at you that you have made a really bad choice, you don’t want those. Good feelings. Don’t lose the good feeling.

:hypno:

 

[RebeccaJ]

One thing that has been consistent is the replies I have given have not been pleasing to some — validating my point from the beginning — with differences between churches, its ok for my church to have statements placed here as the truth, and yet when a reply is given, the claim is made something is being hiden.

The fact is some of you wnat me to jump into the garbage with Anti Mormon enemies — I will not do it.

I am looking for evidence that my replies are not truth and why that the replies are not acceptable?

Honestly, I find your replies to be what you believe, and based on what you know. Naive and uninformed about the religion you have chosen to join.

It is, of course, up to you. Remain in this state, or research out the history of your church, all of it. I have done the same, in both Mormonism and Catholicism, as well as Buddhism and the secular history of atheism.

There is no reason to fear what you will find. Ask God to protect you from deception and to guide you to Him. It is a neutral request, that allows you to be open to His will.

 

[tundramom]

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 because you never answered the questions posed to you? Maybe?

in Christ
Steph

 

[tundramom]

well I just feel really bad that I haven’t received the PMs that you all have.

As a life-long Mormon thankfully converted to Jesus Christ, I just can’t understand why a recent convert to Mormonism wouldn’t want to PM me.

in Christ
Steph

 

[PaulDupre]

thecourt is a new convert to Mormonism, so, he has not been exposed to the “meat” of Mormonism. In his PM to me he stated he was going to go to RCIA but instead he converted to Mormonism.

That explains a lot.

 

[estesbob]

thecourt is a new convert to Mormonism, so, he has not been exposed to the “meat” of Mormonism. In his PM to me he stated he was going to go to RCIA but instead he converted to Mormonism.

:hypno:

Well then there is hope. We need to pray for him . Pray thatas he learns more & more about his new found faith he will be drawn to One True Church

 

[estesbob]

well I just feel really bad that I haven’t received the PMs that you all have.

As a life-long Mormon thankfully converted to Jesus Christ, I just can’t understand why a recent convert to Mormonism wouldn’t want to PM me.

in Christ
Steph

You didn’t miss much. Basically they consisted of telling me that I was wrong. That I was Spreading lies about his church and I needed to go talk to some Mormon missionaries to learn the truth.

Well I was fortunate to have been born and raised Catholic and I already knew the truth. And I most certainly did not need any Mormon missionaries to tell me about it.

 

[ralphinal]

I received the pm’s as well, and I tried to discuss them. Some of the questions that I raised were ones that Zerinus has answered for me. I wanted to see if his would be different. All that I got wsa either “you would not understand as Catholics do not have the faith,” “anti-Mormon Garbage,” or simple “yes or no” with no support or explination.

When a person dodges, evades, obfuscates, avoids, or changes the subjects, either they do not know and are ashamed to admit it, they are hiding some thing, or they are afraid of where the road leads.

 

[GoneFishin]

As I have read a number of your replies to the thread I started, most of you seek answer I am not going to answer, yet when I provide a source that has information to your questions, “supposed I an d the church is hiding something”.

Most of your responses validate what I know – you are bigoted toward my church and wish we did not make the professions that we do.

I am grateful beyond words for the Holy Ghost, the source of truth versus Catholics, I know personally, who do not receive confirmation of what their church teaches through the Holy Ghost – basically if the priests preaches it in the homily, it is the truth and dare not question or find out for one’s self if its true.

To conclude (so spare me any more complaints of "what my church won’t answer for this that or other recycled Anti Mormon garbage) – learn to respect others of other faiths instead of calling them crazy or nuts for believing such — the secular progreesives who contend anyone who has loyalty to any church is mentally disturbed should wake you up more than what the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is doing.

As I told a couple of missionaries a few months back, to truly proselytize one needs to know the REAL facts about other religions and see their points of view. Not the view that your church gives you because it will BE garbage to our eyes and ears. Learn the truth of these churches and you can have the knowledge of gaining converts. This will leave you in 2 positions though

1. Strengthen your faith and fulfill your truths
   or
2. Learn that your church may not hold the full truth

The type of apologetics Mormons use against others really do not hold any truths to them. They are typical questions that most Protestants have; Infant Baptism, Mary, The Saints, etc. The book I read (my friend was a missionary) has all their beliefs on why we are all wrong. I don’t remember the book or the author but my buddy says that the Mormon church does not want missionaries to carry this book with them as they don’t approve of it, yet my friend could not answer why he had one and who gave it to him:shrug: .It was a sort of quick bible verse reference book. I only read it for a few minutes as it was taken and put away when my questions started to come out Does anyone know of this book? I really don’t remember the author but it was a apologetic style book. In the preface it said something like
“A good bible reference book that missionaries can use” not in those words but close to them.

 

[valient_Lucy]

I have asked a question a number of times and I suppose that you are afraid to reply.

The question was prior to Vatican 2, non Catholics had to join your church or go to hell, now post Vatican 2 things have changed. God is unchangeable and yet your church prior to Vatican 2 made it clear you would receive salvation and who would not. (this is one of number of issues that will keep out of the Roman Catholic church). What is explanation of this?

The Catholic Church has always taught, and still does teach, that there is no salvation outside of the church. However, this does not mean that only Catholics go to heaven.

FYI, a popular American priest was excommunicated in the 1950s (ten years BEFORE Vatican 2) for preaching that ALL non-Catholics go to Hell.

 

[valient_Lucy]

I am grateful beyond words for the Holy Ghost, the source of truth versus Catholics, I know personally, who do not receive confirmation of what their church teaches through the Holy Ghost – basically if the priests preaches it in the homily, it is the truth and dare not question or find out for one’s self if its true.

This is blatant Anti-Catholic garbage. Calling for Catholics to stop with the “Anti-Mormon garbage” and then spewing Anti-Catholic garbage is very hypocritical.

 

[thecourt]

I do not disrespect any faith, Catholicism or otherwise.

All the posts read validate your love for Catholicism, yet heaven forbid anyone here say a bad word about Catholicism.

Catholicism and I will never be on the same page.

 

[GoneFishin]

I do not disrespect any faith, Catholicism or otherwise.

All the posts read validate your love for Catholicism, yet heaven forbid anyone here say a bad word about Catholicism.

Catholicism and I will never be on the same page.

It is not about saying something bad about Catholicism(this is catholic.com?) just be correct about it at least. If you cant handle our truths then that is your problem but dont act like we are persecuting you for not letting you proselytize here. Just answer the questions thats is all we want, dont send us to your website that answers nothing anyways. Are you not fully trained on your Mormon beliefs yet?

 

[estesbob]

I do not disrespect any faith, Catholicism or otherwise.

All the posts read validate your love for Catholicism, yet heaven forbid anyone here say a bad word about Catholicism.

Catholicism and I will never be on the same page.

1. Do Mormons believe Jesus and Satan are Brothers?
2. Do Momons withhold some Doctrines from potential converts until they are baptized into the Momon Faith?

 

[Prodigal_Son1]

I do not disrespect any faith, Catholicism or otherwise.

All the posts read validate your love for Catholicism, yet heaven forbid anyone here say a bad word about Catholicism.

Catholicism and I will never be on the same page.

To be on the same page with Catholicism, you have to get in the right book. From the discussions I’ve seen on Mormonism, Mormons and Catholics are not in the same book, much less the same page.

The offensive things you find being said, usually are having to explain what appears to be inconsistancies in the Doctrines and Covents, Book of Mormon and other Mormon documentation. It appears the questions themselves are offensive to Mormons.

Catholicism is open, that is open for public review. You can ask any question and we’ll address it. Mormonism is not this way. There are things that Mormons will not speak about. The secrecy is very suspicious to say the least. No where does Christ teach to go out and preach part of the Gospel. The scriptures that Mormons use to justify the secrecy do not include many things that Mormons claim to be a part of their “ceremony”. Show me anywhere in scriptures things like secret handshakes, tokens, special under garments, washing converts or annointing all the body parts of a convert.

Mormons claim there was a great apostasy, so great it caused a total corruption of the one true Church Christ Himself created and promised to protect and be with until the consummation of the world. They cannot provide any documentation for this claim and assume it took place in the first couple of centuries after the death and resurrection of our Lord. Yet, Mormons believe in the Bible which was given by that Church almost 2 centuries beyond the time of the total corruption of the Church. Can you not see the contradiction in this?

Defending against these claims involves discussing Mormonism, but Mormons find it offensive when we start an in depth discussion reviewing Mormonism. It appears we’re supposed to listen and follow, without asking questions. That’s the similar to what Eve did when the deceiver spoke to her in the garden and told her she could be like God.

Look what happened to the followers who blindly followed Jim Jones, David Koresh and the many other false prophets.

One has to discern the “warm fuzzy” feelings they feel. It’s not always the Holy Spirit at work. Just like with Eve, there is a deceiver at work who will use whatever necessary to mislead people, including a “warm fuzzy” feeling in their hearts.

If you truly want to discuss Mormonism with faithful Catholics, you have to expect some tough questions and you must provide some very good explanations. If you find that process offensive, you are wasting your time.