We believe in hell... long story there, to make it short nobody on this earth shall go there. Hell was punishment for Lucifer and his followers. And with the converting thing. To become a member of a religion, sorry no dictionary near so bare with me. Missionaries teach, the Spirit testifies, and you make the final choice to join, or to turn away. Simple as that! Missionaries do not convert you, nor do other members. If anybody besides your own choice, it would be God converting you. We are not to take credit on the works of our Heavenly Father. And no you have not gotten in between my faith, nor budged it. You can think that all you want, but you have not. It's as stable as... well it's unmovable lets just put it that way!
Originally posted by Ramses
Eis, you're a male right? I know your gender status says so, but I've known a few people to put the wrong gender there. Uhmm, earlier you said you're boyfriend? So, you have a boyfriend? If so, enough said why you hate the church. But in honesty, most religions out there disagree with homosexuallity, it's just that people are making the church out to be more human wants than a Christ like church. I've been to many different churches, and they teach against getting drunk, but the people go home that night and throw a party. To me this church I belong to caught my eyes because the people practice what they teach most the time. I don't want to seem like I'm pushing the church on you, and I'm sorry if that's the way it has seemed like. My greatest appologies on that. I do admit I, myself, am total anti-homo. Not homofobic, just I don't stand up for it like some people do. I don't go out of my way to protest against it either, but when my opinion is asked, I'll be honest. Or when a gay guy hits on me, I'll be honest... unless Cheryl walks up and distracts me again.... anyways I want to appologize for the way I've been towards most of you.
Now, I agree that the mormon church is way more organized than most other religions and it members are very (most) devout but that doesn't make the church any better than it is. That just makes them smarter.
And frankly every single time I speak with mormons it seems as they are "pushing" their religion.
I disagree with most of your doctrines, believes, etc. But that doesn't make me "hate" the church. I don't "hate" the church.
hey man the dude dig The Clash man so even if Eis doesnt know all the lyrics of Clash he still got the badest sig
Anyway, just came back from my mormon church group... learned lots and lots!! 😄 😄 😄
Jesus loves you all!!!! 😄
I'm off to read the scriptures!! 😄 😄 😄
Tell me I can't pass as a mormon. 😛
You can't pass as mormon.... lol!
I do admit, a lot of the older people within the church are quite pushy with the religion. Sometimes even the youth are to. This is the main cause why so many people run away from the church. It's why my mom, and both my brothers became highly inactive. The branch I belong with use to be like super bad, and finally they're starting to realize they can't push anybody into doing anything. They're learning that with me, because I'm not serving a mission as they want me to. That and when I became active again, they didn't push me into passing, or blessing the sacrament... well everybody except the missionaires didn't. Those missionaries need to learn quikly I'm not a fellow to be pushed. Anyways sorry they push the religion onto you. I hope you will forgive them for this, and if it ever annoys you tell them what they are doing, and that is not a Christ like thing. Always works for me!!
To answer the converting thing.... as Ramses said... I personally can't and don't want to try to convert anyone...people have to figure out what they believe for themselves...there's nothing that any person could say that would convert anyone. Conversion means a total change of mind, believing in it with all of your heart and being willing to act upon those beliefs.
So with that said...no I'm not trying to convert anyone. Am I willing to clear up misconceptions with hopes that the stigma surrounding the church goes away? Yes.
The reason there are missionaries is so that people can learn and make that choice for themselves. Sure the missionaries like it when people join, but that's not because they get to say they baptized them, it's because they get to see the happiness that that person has found after truly converting.
Ramses is right when he said that we don't believe that people will go to hell, other than Satan and his direct followers (the people who were cast out of heaven).
So why does the church try to spread the word? To help people make informed decisions on whether or not this could be something they would like... or to bring those who will accept it the same happiness that they feel now.
I think it is also important to note that all you have to do to get the missionaries to stop "bothering" you is to tell them you're not interested. They should leave you alone then. That goes with any member of the church. If you tell them that you don't want to hear about it, then they should respect your request.
Originally posted by GodIsAwesome
To answer the converting thing.... as Ramses said... I personally can't and don't want to try to convert anyone...people have to figure out what they believe for themselves...there's nothing that any person could say that would convert anyone. Conversion means a total change of mind, believing in it with all of your heart and being willing to act upon those beliefs.So with that said...no I'm not trying to convert anyone. Am I willing to clear up misconceptions with hopes that the stigma surrounding the church goes away? Yes.
The reason there are missionaries is so that people can learn and make that choice for themselves. Sure the missionaries like it when people join, but that's not because they get to say they baptized them, it's because they get to see the happiness that that person has found after truly converting.
Ramses is right when he said that we don't believe that people will go to hell, other than Satan and his direct followers (the people who were cast out of heaven).
So why does the church try to spread the word? To help people make informed decisions on whether or not this could be something they would like... or to bring those who will accept it the same happiness that they feel now.
I think it is also important to note that all you have to do to get the missionaries to stop "bothering" you is to tell them you're not interested. They should leave you alone then. That goes with any member of the church. If you tell them that you don't want to hear about it, then they should respect your request.
So after you present your churches beliefs and answer any questions, if the person says they don’t believe in your religion, do you believe that is a rejection of Christ?
Originally posted by Shakyamunison
So after you present your churches beliefs and answer any questions, if the person says they don’t believe in your religion, do you believe that is a rejection of Christ?
No, I wouldn't see that as a rejection of Christ. To me that would just mean that you didn't feel like it was right. If you don't feel some sort of witness within yourself that it is true then that's how you feel.
Now it would be a rejection of Christ if He were to appear before you and then you still denied it...or if you had felt the Holy Ghost testifying of it's truth, then that's denying what God is trying to say.
Originally posted by GodIsAwesome
No, I wouldn't see that as a rejection of Christ. To me that would just mean that you didn't feel like it was right. If you don't feel some sort of witness within yourself that it is true then that's how you feel.Now it would be a rejection of Christ if He were to appear before you and then you still denied it...or if you had felt the Holy Ghost testifying of it's truth, then that's denying what God is trying to say.
Then I believe you. Too many times, in other religions, people make judgments that they are in no position to make. Your answer was not what I was expecting. Thank you, my respect grows.
That is something we're taught, the only way people that can truely deny Christ is to KNOW what they've heard is true, but hate it, and preach against it. And, if someone who is mormon is rude to you because you don't want to convert, they're not being a good member. (makes me mad when people do that!)
And the missionaries teach people cause they really want to share their happiness, and not save you from hell, but make life after you die even better. (do you guys define "pushing our religion on you" as living it in all circumstances, even when they're around you, and explaining why they won't do whatever it is they refuse to do?)
Welcome Godisawesome! Nice to meet you!
Wow..... this thread is much more active than before..... 😄
Originally posted by ~dorkerina~
That is something we're taught, the only way people that can truely deny Christ is to KNOW what they've heard is true, but hate it, and preach against it. And, if someone who is mormon is rude to you because you don't want to convert, they're not being a good member. (makes me mad when people do that!)And the missionaries teach people cause they really want to share their happiness, and not save you from hell, but make life after you die even better. (do you guys define "pushing our religion on you" as living it in all circumstances, even when they're around you, and explaining why they won't do whatever it is they refuse to do?)
Welcome Godisawesome! Nice to meet you!
Wow..... this thread is much more active than before..... 😄
When I was a Christian, the people in the church made me go out with others and go door to door spreading the word of god. I did not like doing that, and when someone would reject what we said, as we were walking away, the other people, I was with, would say some of the rudest things about the person we just left. Some people just live a very privet life and don’t like people coming to the door.
Originally posted by Shakyamunison
Then I believe you. Too many times, in other religions, people make judgments that they are in no position to make. Your answer was not what I was expecting. Thank you, my respect grows.
Yeah I know what you mean. There are always individuals willing to put people down for believing different then them. Sadly enough there are people like that everywhere, in every religion...
The good thing is that not every church, and especially every member within the church, preaches such intolerance.
Thanks!
Originally posted by Shakyamunison
When I was a Christian, the people in the church made me go out with others and go door to door spreading the word of god. I did not like doing that, and when someone would reject what we said, as we were walking away, the other people, I was with, would say some of the rudest things about the person we just left. Some people just live a very privet life and don’t like people coming to the door.
Me, I have tracted with the missionaries before. It's not easy, but it's not hard either going door to door. Sometimes it can be fun, and when you've had a door slammed in your face for the first time you really like it. Or when people come up to you and start telling you your making the wrong choice, and then you go back and forth with questions, and the guy who was attacking you stumbles because they don't know their own religion. Aww, yes the fun times with tracting... anyways....
What I was going to get at is with the missionaries if you ask them to not come to your door again, then they won't for about six months. They usually keep good records of where they've tracted, and what doors they've knocked on, and who accepted the first discussion, or invited them back. Very well organized missionaries are, or well most of them. I've met a few lazy ones, who I personally don't get along with to well, but thats another story another time. So, well they'll not bother you for about six months, but they'll be back just to make sure you hadn't moved, and theres a new family there or something. So, please do excuse them if they come back in six months or so. If you really wanted to you could ask them to go shoot some hoops with you, and ask them not to talk religion with you. Most the time they're more than willing to do that!!! Anyways, I admit most the members in the church get to be quite pushy, and it can be annoying, but I do appologize for they're behaivor on that part. Just ask them with a polite manner to not push church on you, that it is not your beliefs, and they should leave you alone. If they don't use a little deeper tone of voice... and if that fails, have me call them. Anyways, I'm going to go now, lata all....
Originally posted by RamsesBut see that's what makes people get angry. They asked you not to come back at all and yet the church comes back after a cooling down type period of 6 months. It's not respecting the individuals word. It could be considered disrespectful. The JW's have their little niche also. They will keep coming back IF you accept any of their literature. They leave it as a free gift to read, and you think, oh that's nice. But that is a little rule within that organization.
Me, I have tracted with the missionaries before. It's not easy, but it's notWhat I was going to get at is with the missionaries if you ask them to not come to your door again, then they won't for about six months.
Originally posted by Ramses
Me, I have tracted with the missionaries before. It's not easy, but it's not hard either going door to door. Sometimes it can be fun, and when you've had a door slammed in your face for the first time you really like it. Or when people come up to you and start telling you your making the wrong choice, and then you go back and forth with questions, and the guy who was attacking you stumbles because they don't know their own religion. Aww, yes the fun times with tracting... anyways....What I was going to get at is with the missionaries if you ask them to not come to your door again, then they won't for about six months. They usually keep good records of where they've tracted, and what doors they've knocked on, and who accepted the first discussion, or invited them back. Very well organized missionaries are, or well most of them. I've met a few lazy ones, who I personally don't get along with to well, but thats another story another time. So, well they'll not bother you for about six months, but they'll be back just to make sure you hadn't moved, and theres a new family there or something. So, please do excuse them if they come back in six months or so. If you really wanted to you could ask them to go shoot some hoops with you, and ask them not to talk religion with you. Most the time they're more than willing to do that!!! Anyways, I admit most the members in the church get to be quite pushy, and it can be annoying, but I do appologize for they're behaivor on that part. Just ask them with a polite manner to not push church on you, that it is not your beliefs, and they should leave you alone. If they don't use a little deeper tone of voice... and if that fails, have me call them. Anyways, I'm going to go now, lata all....
Thank you. I am getting better with dealing with Christians and I think I might be willing to talk to a Mormon who comes to my door.
Originally posted by debbiejo
But see that's what makes people get angry. They asked you not to come back at all and yet the church comes back after a cooling down type period of 6 months. It's not respecting the individuals word. It could be considered disrespectful. The JW's have their little niche also. They will keep coming back IF you accept any of their literature. They leave it as a free gift to read, and you think, oh that's nice. But that is a little rule within that organization.
Do you agree people move often? People move quite often within six months, and this is why missionaries return. They don't mean to do it out of disrespect or anything, they're just keeping their records up to date. I admit there are some people who don't move at all, but your neighbor's might have moved one month ago, or something. It's to keep contacting somebody new. Around here the missionaries find new people like every six months, and I'm not talking one or two people. A lot of people end up moving, and new people came and took their home over. So, I'm sorry if the missionaries come back in six months or something, they're just not wanting to let a new family miss out incase you've moved. Do you see what I'm saying? They do not mean to disrespect you in any way, or atleast most missionaries. Well, I hope you can understand that they're not trying to be disrespectful in any way, and that they're just trying their best to share their beliefs, and a wonderful message.
Originally posted by debbiejo
But see that's what makes people get angry. They asked you not to come back at all and yet the church comes back after a cooling down type period of 6 months. It's not respecting the individuals word. It could be considered disrespectful. The JW's have their little niche also. They will keep coming back IF you accept any of their literature. They leave it as a free gift to read, and you think, oh that's nice. But that is a little rule within that organization.
Here's a hint...take some literature from them...and say "Thanks, but I'm a Mormon." 😄
They don't usually come back. 😂
Originally posted by KellaOR...I could say I'm a satanist.... 😂 .....and they're interrupting my ritual time but they could come in and help me hold the chicken while I slit its thout........Don't mind the blood on me, I'm just having a hard time. (but really I'm just preparing dinner with raw meat!!) 😂
Here's a hint...take some literature from them...and say "Thanks, but I'm a Mormon." 😄They don't usually come back. 😂
Originally posted by debbiejo
OR...I could say I'm a satanist.... 😂 .....and they're interrupting my ritual time but they could come in and help me hold the chicken while I slit its thout........Don't mind the blood on me, I'm just having a hard time. (but really I'm just preparing dinner with raw meat!!) 😂
you would be suprised, if you wanted their help in that... they might do that, ya know help ya. it'd be funny, but even if you do something like that they'll be back in 6 months... maybe a year depending on who the missionaries were. lol! oh well... it'd be funny to see missonaries holding a chicken down... get me a picture, k?
Originally posted by debbiejo
OR...I could say I'm a satanist.... 😂 .....and they're interrupting my ritual time but they could come in and help me hold the chicken while I slit its thout........Don't mind the blood on me, I'm just having a hard time. (but really I'm just preparing dinner with raw meat!!) 😂
Anyway, I think people exaggerate a lot, I mean you just have to tell them to go away once every six months. 😬