A Catholic " HI "

#1 (**permalink**) 07-23-2008, 04:15 PM

Hi to all,

I am Catholic and have come to this site to try and gain perspective on LDS directly from LDS.

It is important to state ( if I may ) that I realize I am a GUEST on this forum and will do my best not to offend any member's beleifs or what they hold so precious. If I do, PLEASE consider that it probably stems from MY IGNORANCE of LDS and not an intentional effort to not treat others with the respect, dignity, and kindness in wich I would ask to be treated.

Although my visit here has only been a few days, I thought I would offer an update as to what my experience has been thus far.

The things that have NOT surprised me

1. Great love and friendship extended for members in common faith
2. Kind hearted advice for those who seek advice ( advice board/ super idea IMO )
3. Very supportive community to share with
4. Warm welcome to me by many ( thanks for that )
5. A strong willingness to defend your faith against any ( for what it's worth, I admire this)
6. Lots of laughs ( I played the question game for the first time ) LOL FUN
7. I was ( already ) able to get some perspective that I was looking for

The things that WERE a little surprising to me

1. The disagreement between LDS members on historical events and teachings
2. The over use ( sorry, I said I may have some ignorance ) of " anti Mormon " this or that

I will stop for now,

Thanks again for the warm welcome

God bless,
Carl

Loudmouth_Mormon · #2 (**permalink**) 07-23-2008, 04:26 PM

Hi Carl, welcome!

I think it's great that you would come to a bunch of mormons to figure out what mormons think. Hopefully we can answer some of your questions.

I don't really like the term anti-mormon, and I almost never use it. It's like any other diminuitive insult term like 'homophobe' or 'bigot' - it's useful for nothing besides namecalling. I prefer "church critic" when talking about people that, well, are critics of my church.

A guy like you with honest questions probably doesn't even rise to the level of critic.

Again, welcome.
LM

#3 (**permalink**) 07-23-2008, 04:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Loudmouth_Mormon

Hi Carl, welcome!

I think it's great that you would come to a bunch of mormons to figure out what mormons think. Hopefully we can answer some of your questions.

I don't really like the term anti-mormon, and I almost never use it. It's like any other diminuitive insult term like 'homophobe' or 'bigot' - it's useful for nothing besides namecalling. I prefer "church critic" when talking about people that, well, are critics of my church.

A guy like you with honest questions probably doesn't even rise to the level of critic.

Again, welcome.
LM

Hi Loudmouth Mormon,

Go figure, My first communication is with " LOUDMOUTH MORMON " LOL

God bless,
Carl

california_ave · #4 (**permalink**) 07-23-2008, 05:01 PM

Carl,

Thanks for your fresh, unbiased observations about our correspondence in this small corner of the internet sandbox. As for the things that surprised you, I'd probably have guessed number 2, but haven't thought of #1. Can you elaborate and contrast what you see here with examples in the Catholic community? Thanks.

siouxz72 · #5 (**permalink**) 07-23-2008, 05:22 PM

Hello Carl! I must say...I've read the, what?, 5 or 6 new pages of the questions only thread from today and you, my friend, are hilarious!! That was awesome reading! I find I have a hard time keeping up with that game and if away for even part of a day, get lost! lol! so, nice work! Welcome the forum! hope you enjoy it!

Siouxz

#6 (**permalink**) 07-23-2008, 05:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by california_ave

Carl,

Thanks for your fresh, unbiased observations about our correspondence in this small corner of the internet sandbox. As for the things that surprised you, I'd probably have guessed number 2, but haven't thought of #1. Can you elaborate and contrast what you see here with examples in the Catholic community? Thanks.

Hi California ave,

Thanks for your generous words ( fresh and unbiased ) probably more realistic to say ( narrow scope with a hint of ignorance ) LOL

At any rate, I would rather not compare or measure the Catholic community because I feel it would lead to a variety of debates ( sorry if that sounds like an excuse but maybe at a later time we can have those mutually respectfull " back and forths ") I simply do not feel it appropriate at this point.

To elaborate on # 2 ( I realize that I have read little of the many threads ) I came across one concerning " did or did not " JS have children from any wife other than Emma. The following answers were contradictory to eachother.
Another example that I can recall is a thread concerning when and if an angel told JS to implement polygamy. ( again it seemded to me that the following answers were all over the board and even gave different accounts of the angel story itself being true teaching or not.)

I will conclude by saying again that my reason for visiting is to gain perspective and it is not to debate or insult the LDS.

God bless,
Carl

hordak · #7 (**permalink**) 07-23-2008, 05:49 PM

Is you name Sebastian by any chance?

#8 (**permalink**) 07-23-2008, 05:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by siouxz72

Hello Carl! I must say...I've read the, what?, 5 or 6 new pages of the questions only thread from today and you, my friend, are hilarious!! That was awesome reading! I find I have a hard time keeping up with that game and if away for even part of a day, get lost! lol! so, nice work! Welcome the forum! hope you enjoy it!

Siouxz

HI Siouxz,

Thanks for the welcome,

OHHH the question game
I must say that I enjoyed it ( and the people playing ) ALOT!! ( I am thinking about implemeting it at my company meetings )

God bless,
Carl