Anti-Mormons

[Over43]

Originally Posted by RachelleDrew

There are a lot of reasons why someone would specifically move against the church when they had previously been members. I feel bad for them, because it takes a lot to go through the process of leaving the church officially. To go through all that just to disassociate with a religious group means somebody really feels wronged for some reason. If they just got bored with the church or just lost their testimony chances are they would just be inactive members, not antis.

I've spoken one on one with some adamant antis, and a lot of them have really sad experiences with the church. My heart breaks for them, because nobody should have to feel unsafe or unhappy in their church. But at the same time, it's no reason to blame the entire institution and the scripture it's based off.

There are also antis who have absolutely no experience or knowledge of the church. I don't feel so sorry for them, because it only makes you look stupid to berate the Book of Mormon when you haven't even read it. Maybe they are concerned for our salvation, but some are just there to feel pious.

Every church has to face criticism at some point in it's existence. It's best to just be loving to them and ignore their words.

This is an interesting post. Ealier in the evening a happened upon an "anti" website by ex members. Most of their stories were not unique, most of their rationalizations were very similar. What I was "amazed" at was their seeming inability to let go. Just walk away. Many had hundreds of posts about this or that.

Your end statement was right on, It is just best to be loving towards them, anything else just seems to fuel their furnace.

Jon

[Snow]

Originally Posted by SeattleTruthSeeker

Respecting does not equal agreeing and supporting them. Respecting means that you respect them as a human being, a person whom God loves and an individual that lives their life. Parents respect their children, even when those children disappoint them. So in a sense, yes I respect the person for who they are. So, why would you ask if I respect someone who rejects the Lord's teaching? I respect them for who they are, not what they believe in.

How would you arrive to the conclusion that respect equates to agreeing with what someone believes that is in opposition to what you believe in?

Regardless of whether the poster merits respect for being a human being, rejecting the Lord's teachings is hardly a valid reason for respecting someone as omega said.

[Snow]

Originally Posted by OtterPop

I understand that you believe I rejected "the Lord's teachings." You and I disagree on that point, and you are not the authority on my spiritual experiences.

I don't know anything about what you have or haven't done. I was responding to omega who thinks you have and are therefor, as a result, worthy of respect.

[pam]

It appears to me that Otterpop is a very nice decent individual. Because she has chosen to take her life in a direction that would not be of my own choosing does not mean that I can't respect her as an individual.

[SeattleTruthSeeker]

Originally Posted by Snow

Regardless of whether the poster merits respect for being a human being, rejecting the Lord's teachings is hardly a valid reason for respecting someone as omega said.

How do you define respect? I am actually curious to know.

What I believe you are meaning to say is that it does not merit supporting what they believe.

I respect someone's opinion. In your understanding, does that mean that I am supporting their opinion, or acknowldeging their opinion as being their opinion?

Are we to respect what other people believe? Isn't that what one of the articles of faith are about is respecting one anothers viewpoint?

I am not going to beat this into the ground, because there is no need to. The question you brought up is valid, but is in error on the premise of the thought that when you respect someone you support what they believe. I have never heard that. My fiance's son is in Taekwondo and the children are from a variety of cultures, walks of faiths (and yes there is one gentleman who is a member of the LDS Faith there that is an instructor). They teach children Respect and what it means to respect. The Master is Korean, they are taught to respect other people of different ethnics, cultures and backgrounds. Does that mean that these children are taught - again by your own definition - that respect equals supporting?

Again, respect is acknowledging and understand the person for who they are, beliefs and all. That does not mean you support their lifestyle, their political views, their religious views.

For instance, I respect John McArthur, Charles Stanlely, RC Sproul. I respect them because they are an exemplary men of integrity. I respect my father but can't stand him at times. I respect my ex wife parents but disagree with them. I respect people that I know, but disagree with them on certain things.

If you can show me how respect is equated to supporting and accepting their beliefs, then I will change my view. Until then, why make an issue out of respecting someone who they are? That is my question.

No, I do not support the anti mormons. I don't support what they do, what they represent, what they teach and what they write. However, I respect people who are willing to discuss and see where they may error in their arguments and willing to sit down and have a decent conversation without name calling.

[Elphaba]

Originally Posted by Shaliach

You didn't just ask a question, you made a rude comment "Did you think you were the only one who knew that?" I never said I did, nor did I intimate it. Perhaps next time you ask a question you might choose your words a bit more carefully so no one has reason to take offense.

Why does it bother you that I posted the information? Does full disclosure threaten your faith or something?

And I am in the midst of another conversation of more substance than this one with you wherein I've been asked many questions and even confronted on my posts. The difference is they do so with respect and receive it in return.

Wow! A whole FIFTEEN posts, and you've figured Pale out. You're good! It took me, like, 358 posts!

You should also know that Pale has Popeye muskles and purple fru fru boxing gloves. And he uses them too!

Elphaba

[pam]

Are we talking about the same Pale that I know? Popeye muskles?

[Snow]

Originally Posted by SeattleTruthSeeker

How do you define respect? I am actually curious to know.

What I believe you are meaning to say is that it does not merit supporting what they believe.

I respect someone's opinion. In your understanding, does that mean that I am supporting their opinion, or acknowldeging their opinion as being their opinion?

Are we to respect what other people believe? Isn't that what one of the articles of faith are about is respecting one anothers viewpoint?

I am not going to beat this into the ground, because there is no need to. The question you brought up is valid, but is in error on the premise of the thought that when you respect someone you support what they believe. I have never heard that. My fiance's son is in Taekwondo and the children are from a variety of cultures, walks of faiths (and yes there is one gentleman who is a member of the LDS Faith there that is an instructor). They teach children Respect and what it means to respect. The Master is Korean, they are taught to respect other people of different ethnics, cultures and backgrounds. Does that mean that these children are taught - again by your own definition - that respect equals supporting?

Again, respect is acknowledging and understand the person for who they are, beliefs and all. That does not mean you support their lifestyle, their political views, their religious views.

For instance, I respect John McArthur, Charles Stanlely, RC Sproul. I respect them because they are an exemplary men of integrity. I respect my father but can't stand him at times. I respect my ex wife parents but disagree with them. I respect people that I know, but disagree with them on certain things.

If you can show me how respect is equated to supporting and accepting their beliefs, then I will change my view. Until then, why make an issue out of respecting someone who they are? That is my question.

No, I do not support the anti mormons. I don't support what they do, what they represent, what they teach and what they write. However, I respect people who are willing to discuss and see where they may error in their arguments and willing to sit down and have a decent conversation without name calling.

I don't understand respect in any particular way except the standard definitions. Respect is to esteem. You may respect people's opinions just cuz, but I don't. I respect an opinion if it merits esteem. Opinions of bigotry, stupidity, ignorance, foolishness, deceit, etc do not merit my esteem or my respect.

If you use "respect" to mean that you avoid violation of or interference with... I still don't respect opinions grounded in stupidity, illogic, bigotry, etc. I'll gladly interfere with such opinions - and do - by calling people and challenging people on their bull.

Now - people generally, being children of God, merit some respect merely on account of their existence; that is... I value life, generally, regardless of whose it is. But many such people do not merit additional respect much beyond that because of what they do and think. My respect for the Unibomber was minimal and limited to his connection, however tenuous, to his maker.

[WANDERER]

Respecting differences in opinion or belief or practice is the ability to disagree without being disagreeable.

Esteeming others merely for their agreement with us in religion, opinion, and manner of living is only a less offensive kind of self-adoration.

[bytor2112]

Originally Posted by OtterPop

That's interesting, but not really in keeping with what Mormonism teaches. Feel free to correct me if you think I'm wrong, but by Mormon teachings, I kept my first estate. I'm certainly not a daughter of perdition, as I never had a sure knowledge of the Mormon gospel. So, in the Mormon belief system, I will inherit the Telestial Kingdom and have salvation, though not exaltation.



I didn't leave because of church history. I left because the power because the spirit led me to a path different from Mormonism.

You likely do not believe that this is possible. I know that it is.

Perhaps, you really don't understand our teachings. Are you saying that that Satan is not trying to lead humankind astray? Because he most certainly is, hence the struggle for human souls continue.. I never stated that you were a "daughter of Perdition"'. I don't know what Kingdom of glory you will inherit..... your life has not yet run it's course. Incidentally, I don't think you would inherit the Telestial....probable the Terestrial..IMO

Finally, you are fond of saying that what I say is not in keeping with what Mormonism teaches....... I haven't said anything that that departs from LDS teachings. I think maybe, with all do respect, that you don't really understand the teachings of the faith you left.