Question for non LDS Christians.

[Lstinthwrld]

Why do you think LDS people in general are so quick to get defensive when questions on their faith/doctrine are presented.

(be nice with your replies please)

[Dr T]

My person view is that it's like somebody talking bad about one of your loved ones. It is a lifestyle issue, a devotion, and a philosophy. As humans, we also don't like to be told that we messed up, are wrong, and ought to have done something differently. Other times, it could just be that somebody is approaching the topic in a rude way, maybe one of the people invovled had a bad day that day, maybe it confirms their own questions about your church, etc. What I'm trying to say is there are multiple reasons.

[AnthonyB]

If you suffer enough ridicule, scorn and denegration than you naturally go on the defensive. There are many things about LDS doctrine and practice that are suprisingly enchanting once you understand them but on the surface level there are a number of things that other peope just don't get or can easily be misunderstood or misrepresented. Things like baptizing for the dead, garments etc are easy targets but for LDS are meaningful and beautiful actions and the scorn I would guess digs deep when done about things that are precious to you.

[ADoyle90815]

Originally Posted by AnthonyB

If you suffer enough ridicule, scorn and denegration than you naturally go on the defensive. There are many things about LDS doctrine and practice that are suprisingly enchanting once you understand them but on the surface level there are a number of things that other peope just don't get or can easily be misunderstood or misrepresented. Things like baptizing for the dead, garments etc are easy targets but for LDS are meaningful and beautiful actions and the scorn I would guess digs deep when done about things that are precious to you.

That's what I think as well, and one other practice that is misunderstood is the idea that non-LDS family members aren't allowed inside the temple for weddings. On the surface, it might seem as offensive to non-members, but since the wedding is such an important thing for LDS, they act defensive.

[prisonchaplain]

Timing and relationship may be issues to. When I came here, I took my time to look around, considered myself a guest, asked a few questions, and listened real hard. Quite frankly, I took a lot of my early cues from my training in cross-cultural communications (plus 6 years on the mission field). The only times I've seen defensiveness, or hostile tone, is when a new poster jumps into a string and makes presumptions (largely based upon my avatar, I'd guess).

Another trigger is sincerity, or the perceived lack there of. It's amazing to me how many of my evangelical bretheren (and the occasional sister) come here pretending to be interesed in the LDS faith, hinting that they might even convert, only to resort to "questions," that are all too stock. In that respect, clearly posting one's non-LDS faith actually helps. My pic. with collar clearly identifies who I am, so there is no perception of trickery. Also, when non-LDS view my posts, there's never an accusation that I've falsely pretended to present an LDS perspective.

So...taking the time to build relationship, and being very open, sincere and straight forward will do away with 95% of the defensiveness. That's my perscription, anway. :-)

[AnthonyB]

PC,

As the non-LDS moderator is there any reason why the "faith tradition"/religion was taken off the user info on every post. (When I first posted here posts included that information) It is tiresome to continually have to clearly differentiate myself (although my desire to be known simply as a Christian probably might confuse some). It is especially confusing in topics where due to my holding some beliefs from my faith tradition in common with LDS that differ from most of my fellow "evanglelical like Christians" (eg baptism remits sins) people might mistake me for LDS.

[prisonchaplain]

Don't know Anthony...but there were many changes when LDSTalk became LDS.net. My guess is they just wanted a cleaner look. You could PM Heather, the site administrator, with that question. Barring any changes though, you could always put something in your signature that identifies your faith...."Saved through the waters of baptism Evangelical"--)

[Loudmouth_Mormon]

Originally Posted by Lstinthwrld

Why do you think LDS people in general are so quick to get defensive when questions on their faith/doctrine are presented.

There is a lot of disinformation out there about what LDS beliefs are in the first place. It is possible to have innocent questions wrapped up in such disinformation. Questions like "you do know Joseph Smith was a fraud, right?", or "So, why are you polytheists like the Egyptians", or "Why do you shun family members who leave your church" may spring from innocent ignorance, or they may be hurled jabs from people who want to start a fight and make us look like the aggressors.

Anyway, dealing with such questions isn't easy for anyone, therefore, a lot of LDS folks aren't good at it either.

LM

[Moksha]

Another area of concern to some Mormons, is when other Churches hold classes or seminars expressly designed to attack LDS beliefs.

[jadams_4040]

Originally Posted by Lstinthwrld

Why do you think LDS people in general are so quick to get defensive when questions on their faith/doctrine are presented.

(be nice with your replies please)

I,m lds but want to give my answer; and that would be that i get defensive. {in a good way} because the acusations being made are always completely false and spoken in ignorance. axctual questions are always welcome without getting defensive at all; but ignorant accusations are differant.