Another religion site

I can relate to this! This is my third site, as I search for friendly respectful people to converse with. I was motivated to go online because of Elder Ballard's admonition, but have encountered a lot of nastiness.

Occasionally I visit the old sites, and am quickly reminded why I left. One of the problems I've found is that the majority of posters are young (teens and 20's), and blatantly immature. Many young people are great, but the rude ones just seem to be noisier and more aggressive. Of course many of the older posters could use a lesson in respect also.

One site the ex-LDS were among the problem. The other site, even some of the LDS posters, along with the non-religious were abusive.

Which raises the question: Why do non-religious people post in religion-based forums?

All in all, it's kind of depressing.

[justamere10]

Originally Posted by bren1975

I can relate to this! This is my third site, as I search for friendly respectful people to converse with. I was motivated to go online because of Elder Ballard's admonition, but have encountered a lot of nastiness.

Occasionally I visit the old sites, and am quickly reminded why I left. One of the problems I've found is that the majority of posters are young (teens and 20's), and blatantly immature. Many young people are great, but the rude ones just seem to be noisier and more aggressive. Of course many of the older posters could use a lesson in respect also.

One site the ex-LDS were among the problem. The other site, even some of the LDS posters, along with the non-religious were abusive.

Which raises the question: Why do non-religious people post in religion-based forums?

All in all, it's kind of depressing.

As I mentioned, it's actually exciting to have even mocking responses to your posts because that is what brings in sometimes hundreds of lurkers looking for entertainment. And that provides you with golden opportunities to teach gospel principles and link in your signature to Mormon.org. Who knows, the Spirit may guide even only ONE of those lurkers to mormon.org and reach and teach him or her, and you will have JOY IN HEAVEN!

I find that if I ignore things like depression and fear they quickly fade away or are soon replaced by their opposite, which is of God. Depression is just an attitude, we have power to change it to love for our fellow brothers and sisters who share our turn on earth. This is OUR watch, we are the ones who have been blessed with a knowledge of the fulness of God's truths. It's up to us to pass at least portions of that knowledge along to those who haven't, and it's up to them to make their choices.

I encourage you to do what you can. If you write for twenty years and it brings only one soul to Christ it will be worth it. But always keep your calm when you write so you do no harm. The Holy Spirit is in this cyber missionary work, I experience that daily...

[StallionMcBeastly]

Originally Posted by Hemidakota

I am listening...keep venting.

Yes! Many sites I had visited in the past, including some academic ones, were embarrassing to be called a Christian.

Thanks man!

They say they are Christian and then call the LDS beliefs "crap" and say other hateful things.

I just don't get it. Where did this hate come from? I disagree with other religions too, but I don't hate them and show disrespect.

I am going to change my way of approaching the site. I am not going to waste my time trying to get them to understand our church, I am just going to share my testimony and refer them to lds.org.

That's awesome about the cyber missionary thing, Justmere. Keep it up!

[ldsmissionary]

It's a scary religious world out there, for sure. People ready to pounce on you before you even have a chance to speak up.

[justamere10]

Originally Posted by ldsmissionary

It's a scary religious world out there, for sure. People ready to pounce on you before you even have a chance to speak up.

I see it as a rich environment in which to calmly teach gospel principles. Rants are the fireworks that bring in the crowd, LDS Cyber Missionaries are the main speakers. We're only after those who will hear their Master's voice when it's spoken by Him or by His servants. If they are lurking there you may encourage them to go to Mormon.org and the lost shall be found.

[ldsmissionary]

Originally Posted by justamere10

I see it as a rich environment in which to calmly teach gospel principles. Rants are the fireworks that bring in the crowd, LDS Cyber Missionaries are the main speakers. We're only after those who will hear their Master's voice when it's spoken by Him or by His servants. If they are lurking there you may encourage them to go to Mormon.org and the lost shall be found.

Selling Mormonism on sites that aren't friendly to Mormons is probably as effective as knocking doors in the mission field.

[justamere10]

Originally Posted by ldsmissionary

Selling Mormonism on sites that aren't friendly to Mormons is probably as effective as knocking doors in the mission field.

Possibly but we do what we can and we can knock on thousands of doors in one afternoon without wearing out a single sole!

[Snow]

Originally Posted by StallionMcBeastly

I had the website name in my topic title, but a mod edited it. Maybe they don't want it in the title, or can I not say it at all? Well yes, it is CARM Christian Apologetics & Research Ministry. If I am not supposed to say that, I apologize.

It is just so frustrating trying to converse with the members of that site. One poster told me to "repent or face hell forever". Repent of what!? Following Jesus?? Never!

Let me put this as delicately and charitably as I possibly can... and I speak from experience here. That website is run by and frequented by the worst possible examples of decency and Christianity. They are fundamentally hateful, dishonest, immoral and immature. They are simply engaged in boundary maintenance seeking to boost their low self esteem and confidence in their own beliefs by denigrating the beliefs of others. It is pointless to try and engage with them re the gospel as they lack a foundation in or appreciation of moral principle.

[ldsmissionary]

Originally Posted by justamere10

Possibly but we do what we can and we can knock on thousands of doors in one afternoon without wearing out a single sole!

Single sole. That's funny.

Knocking doors really is a waste of time. 'We' (e.g. those coordinating the missionary efforts of ANY church) can do so much better. We do what we know, and when we know better, we do better. Or we should, anyway.

The last market study that the LDS church conjured up to form the 'Truth Restored' marketing campaign found that:

• They needed a different approach to reach their audience.
• People do not know the church or care about it.
• The LDS church should shift to focusing on brand development rather than direct marketing.

You can read about it here.

An incredibly powerful marketing truth, is that people hate door-to-door salesmen. Hate 'em.

[justamere10]

Originally Posted by ldsmissionary

Single sole. That's funny.

Knocking doors really is a waste of time. 'We' (e.g. those coordinating the missionary efforts of ANY church) can do so much better. We do what we know, and when we know better, we do better. Or we should, anyway.

The last market study that the LDS church conjured up to form the 'Truth Restored' marketing campaign found that:

• They needed a different approach to reach their audience.
• People do not know the church or care about it.
• The LDS church should shift to focusing on brand development rather than direct marketing.

You can read about it here.

An incredibly powerful marketing truth, is that people hate door-to-door salesmen. Hate 'em.

Knocking on doors may not be glamorous but I and a growing number of my family for generations to come will be forever grateful for the two young missionaries who knocked on my door and taught me the Gospel. When missionaries are living right they are guided by the Spirit. That includes I'm sure being inspired to knock on the right doors.

I think it also builds great skills in our young men. After returning from a mission, one of my sons knocked on doors as a salesman each summer and put himself through university.

I don't think we should knock knocking on doors....