Spin-off: Mormon missionaries attending other church services?

[twosweetgirls]

Majick275’s quote in the “Mormon Missionaries at it again!” thread got me thinking. Majick said, "I am a little unsure as to why LDS missionaries are visiting other churches so often now. Before i moved to CA they used to attend mass at my previous parish quite often. they were always well behaved and respectful. the pastor enjoyed visiting with them and mentioned them is a positive way in a couple of homilies praising their dedication of time, talent and treasure. (he did say for the wrong cause but still pointed to that as an example of people actually living their faith)

IMO, I think it’s a subtle way for these missionaries to get others in a different congregation to look at them and think, “oh, they’re not that different from us” and then go to a Mormon meeting house to see for themselves. Voila, you have a new convert.

I think that’s underhanded (again, IMO). Your thoughts?

 

[RebeccaJ]

Majick275’s quote in the “Mormon Missionaries at it again!” thread got me thinking. Majick said, "I am a little unsure as to why LDS missionaries are visiting other churches so often now. Before i moved to CA they used to attend mass at my previous parish quite often. they were always well behaved and respectful. the pastor enjoyed visiting with them and mentioned them is a positive way in a couple of homilies praising their dedication of time, talent and treasure. (he did say for the wrong cause but still pointed to that as an example of people actually living their faith)

IMO, I think it’s a subtle way for these missionaries to get others in a different congregation to look at them and think, “oh, they’re not that different from us” and then go to a Mormon meeting house to see for themselves. Voila, you have a new convert.

I think that’s underhanded (again, IMO). Your thoughts?

I have heard other Mormons say that they were encouraged to go to other churches in order to understand the culture of where they were proselyting. So, yeah, any shenanigans are probably way outside of that directive.

They are observing, not participating.

 

[jdnrite01]

I have heard other Mormons say that they were encouraged to go to other churches in order to understand the culture of where they were proselyting. So, yeah, any shenanigans are probably way outside of that directive.

They are observing, not participating.

It sounds as if they’re conducting religious reconnaissance. On the one hand, I think that people who are rude enough to attend Mass for illegitimate reasons should be shown the door; then again, maybe, with the Grace of the Holy Spirit, these liturgical spies will recognize that the path to salvations is Catholicism.

 

[majick275]

i think a lot of naive young missionaries (especially from the morg corridor) think that people are just waiting to have the “true gospel” preached to them and really have no clue about other churches. they go thinking it’s way to meet people who are at least going to church. i think it’s a real eye opener for many of them and they learn a lot about people worshiping god. i doubt very many are motivated to explore other churches in depth and even less convert BUT…even one is worth letting them in. (provided they just attend and don’t preach there)

 

[Jerusha]

I also see no harm in allowing them to attend Catholic Churches, or churches of any other denomination, so long as they act in a respectful manner.

They can also attend Catholic weddings, ordinations, baptisms, confirmations, last rites, first communions.

Sorry, they aren’t allowed to listen into the sacrament of reconciliation. I’m sure some have thought about bugging the confessional, though.

 

[PaulDupre]

I think it’s great if LDS mishies attend mass, so long as they keep their silence. Since there is really no worship in Mormonism, it is good for them to see what real Christian worship looks like. Perhaps they will be a bit less ignorant and boorish for the experience.

Paul