Antics in San Luis, Colorado

Moksha · #1 (**permalink**) 03-09-2008, 04:41 PM

Web photos show LDS missionaries allegedly damaging a Catholic shrine in the San Luis Valley.

The Pueblo Chieftain Online - Church to vote on vandalism charges

Mormon missionaries allegedly damage Colorado Catholic shrine - Salt Lake Tribune

WillowTheWhisp · #2 (**permalink**) 03-09-2008, 05:57 PM

I am absolutely horrified by this. Why on earth would they do such a thing?

prisonchaplain · #3 (**permalink**) 03-09-2008, 06:27 PM

Some folks are of the mistaken notion that they can build themselves (or their group) up by tearing others down. Jesus said that if He was lifted up, He would draw people unto himself.

Flyonthewall · #4 (**permalink**) 03-09-2008, 06:43 PM

I went to Japan on my mission in the early 80's, and at that time, during our training, it was made a point not to be disrepectful of other religions. We were told of a similar event, though not valdalism, it was highly disrespectful. Several missionaries had climbed on top of a large statue of Buddha to have their pictures taken. It was not meant to be a slight, but the locals did not appreciate it to say the least.

What were they thinking!...and I mean that in the strongest possible way.

crytsprospect · #5 (**permalink**) 03-09-2008, 09:09 PM

How very sad that this happened. Looking at the pictures I see boys not thinking. Yes they are men but as a mother of 4 boys (3 ) are adults they don't think all the time. I think it's one they are going to have to pay for in one way or other and to be sure they will learn from it.

Moksha · #6 (**permalink**) 03-10-2008, 04:33 PM

The pictures that appeared in the link have disappeared. I assume they have now been subpoenaed into evidence for the criminal case.

Ray A · #7 (**permalink**) 03-10-2008, 05:14 PM

The way this is being discussed on Internet forums you'd think the missionaries were guilty of first degree murder. They did the wrong thing. They are young men, and young men sometimes do foolish things. Anyone who served a mission would know that missionaries aren't always little angels. On my mission I had eggs pelted at me, I was threatened with death on one occasion for making the horrid mistake of knocking on a man's door who had previously asked that the missionaries do not call back (my crystal ball failed on this occasion), not to mention much verbal abuse.

I was Catholic before becoming a Mormon, and my bet is that most Catholics would see this for what it is: A silly juvenile act that any young person could lapse into, including a young Catholic person. One missionary has already apologised. What do the forum pundits and zealots want? A public flogging?

Ironically some of the same ones complaining about the missionaries daily ride their anti-Mormon hobby-horses, looking for any loopholes to denigrate Mormonism.

WillowTheWhisp · #8 (**permalink**) 03-10-2008, 05:38 PM

Silly juvenile act? But surely anyone serving a mission would know to respect the religions of others? Silly juvenile act is a huge understatement.

Ray A · #9 (**permalink**) 03-10-2008, 05:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WillowTheWhisp

Silly juvenile act? But surely anyone serving a mission would know to respect the religions of others? Silly juvenile act is a huge understatement.

I'm a night-shift cab driver, and if you really want some perspective on this I'd invite you to spend one shift with me.

As far as I can tell, from what I've read, there is still no proof that the missionaries decapitated the statue head. An apology isn't an admission of this. Yet, before any of this has even gone to a court, or any evidence presented, or any defense made, here we are making judgments from media reports. Trial by media, and the Internet - guilty as reported.

prisonchaplain · #10 (**permalink**) 03-10-2008, 06:03 PM

The incident was foolish and disrespectful. Evangelicals have done similar deeds and have been similar condemned. I once dismissed some Spanish pentecostal volunteers from our jail for repeatedly engaging in inflammatory anti-Catholic rhetoric. So, I do not see that the local Catholics are overreacting just to get the Mormons. Perhaps some pundits are. IMHO, though, that line of attack will have very little traction.

These young men very likely knew they were wrong, but did not realize how seriously some would be offended and hurt by their actions. So, they will learn a very painful lesson. And yes, other people will do far worse, and suffer far less consequence. This too is life.

The approach that will not help here is to suggest that the church is being unfairly attacked, and thus playing the victim. Such a tact would make the apologies seem less than full and sincere, imho.