Quote:
Originally Posted by MichaelPAGuy
So you are saying reading negative stuff can hurt one's spiritual growth in the church and hurt their testimony?
|
I actually agree with you. I don't feel that it does.
My testimony grows stronger every time I see negative or even just opposing views to my own. This is not true of everyone, but I feel that questioning your own beliefs from time to time is healthy for your spiritual growth just so long as it is aided by prayer. I often read anti-mormon propaganda just to get an idea of what their problems with our faith is. When I study the thoughts of others and do my own research afterwards then I can usually better argue my points when I personally encounter these people later.
It's also often easier to witness to them if you can counter what they are saying in an intelligent manner. This is hard to accomplish if you don't understand where the negativity is coming from in the first place.
A lot of atheists that I know use this method as well. Some of my friends with no belief in a deity read more scripture than most Christians I know so that they can use their knowledge in discussions with those who do profess belief as a form of debate ammunition.
Interestingly enough, it works quite well.
The same can be reversed to our advantage. Although to those of you out there who feel like it impacts your relationship with the spirit to read negative comments about our faith then certainly avoid it. But those of you who aren't affected, use it to more effectively witness and reason with non-believers.