There are a number of Mormon missionaries who hang around the square at the university where I am currently taking a summer class. A few of them have approached me, and I have attempted to tell them why their argument from faith is not useful and why their personal experience of the movement of the spirit isn't necessarily evidence that even they should accept while remaining diplomatic, but I know my social skills are not exactly stellar and at least one of them was probably offended, or found me hostile.

I suppose I am a little "anti-Mormon;" I find the religion as a whole cultish, sexist and a fair bit creepy. I just don't want to seem hostile, because I'm never going to make someone really think about their beliefs when they see me as a hostile force. How do I reach out to people without seeming like I'm attacking them?

There is no reason to feel compelled to engage them. Avoid them if you can, otherwise, a simple "I'm not interested" might suffice. Escalate from there if necessary.

They are master, though frequently unconscious, manipulators. Don't engage them ...

haha, master manipulators?

That's a little much. They a naiive kids who dont know any better, hardly masters at anything.

.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/23/2014 10:32PM by nonsequiter.

nonsequiter Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> haha, master manipulators?
>
> That's a little much. They a naiive kids who dont
> know any better, hardly masters at anything.


baiting comes to mind

I don't know. I'd probably have a difficult time not sounding hostile too.

Well, we know that inviting them to talk over nice cups of coffee in the Student Union is out.

I'd love some missionaries to talk to me.

I have some facts that I can back up. Don't have to tell them
their religion is a "cult" or that their leaders are "wrong,"
etc. Just explore some facts with them.

In the south, we like to respond to their approaches with, "Well, bless your heart!"

Then we wander on.

Do you get upset and angry and appear agitated? Maybe always remember to keep a smile on your face and that will help.

Imagine them as small, naive little children who need a little adult help understanding real life with your experienced and matured mind. When they say something childish and ignorant, shake your head a little with pity, smile and answer as if you were speaking to a little child, with an adult voice of authority (but keep smiling!).

If they say something for which you have no answer because its so absurd then let out a little laugh, put your hand on their shoulder, and say "I guess we're gonna have to agree to disagree on that one!" And keep smiling!

I'm reading on here quite a bit about missionaries hanging around college campuses. Is this a new thing?

Don't bother about making them think anything.

They are in their own little crucibles right now. Those who are adept at delusioning themselves are being sorted out from those who are already thinking things, albeit quietly.

Evidence that the church is a load of bull comes everyday to missionaries, its just that many are not in a place to examine it yet, your conversations will hardly matter in the long run.

Excellent thinking nonsequiter! My TBM son is on a mission right now. From his letters, it's not at all what he thought it would be like.

I try to be nice to the missionaries when I see them. I generally show them a picture of my son and explain that I have an LDS background but that the church didn't work for me. That generally works to keep the preaching away.

I see no need to be an asshole to them; all that will do is push them deeper into the arms of the church.

On the other hand, I just read this post:Just offer to buy them a beer. If they decline, then offer to buy them a coffee or tea. Ask them about the Qabal as the origin of the three levels of glory and the inverted pentagrams on the Nauvoo Temple.

Fuck yeah! If they weren't someone's kids I'd say that was great advice too!

The Boner

Just offer to buy them a beer. If they decline, then offer to buy them a coffee or tea. Ask them about the Qabal as the origin of the three levels of glory and the inverted pentagrams on the Nauvoo Temple.

If you're an ex-mo, tell them so, but be friendly. Maybe even act like you're not sure, but there's all this stuff... then present them with some of the facts and issues. Hey, might as well plant some seeds of truth in them if you have the opportunity.

Take a pointer from Walter White's experience, don't mount a machine gun in the trunk of the car on a garage opener...that really does come off as hostile.

Another poster in this forum put forward,

"I know your Church is not what it claims"

As strong, but not overly aggressive.

I would not start out with this if you do not want to engage with them, but if you do.

Follow-up statement to a Mormon missionary after saying this is, "Make a claim"

Sign language?

Offer to buy them a beer, then coffee, then tea? Seriously? Now that is rude, a combination of baiting and mockery.

I have no problem telling them that I used to be Mormon, but the more problems I found with Mormon claims over the years, the more it became obvious that the only explanation that fit all the data was JS made it all up.

I don't worry about whether that offends them. It is my testimony. They aren't spending much time worrying about whether their testimony offends me.

Ignore them and keep walking. You are under no obligation to speak to anyone you do not know.

I suggest you don't talk to them if they're as cranky and easily wounded as they sound.

I don't think they should be allowed to use university resources to market their particular religious preference.

Aren't students busy attending classes, doing homework and trying to unwind when they have a few minutes? How selfish and insensitive for outsiders with their own agendas to impose on their precious time.

Missionaries have hard lives imposed upon them. They had no idea the hell they signed up for. Many of them are miserable and can't wait to go home.

Sure, there are few pricks in the lot, but most are nice guys doing what they think their families want. If Monson cancelled missions tomorrow, they would quietly celebrate while hurrying to pack for home.

Give them a nice cold drink and be chatty with them. If they try to talk religion, tell them you are not interested. Debating them is silly since they don't know doctrine at all. It's like debating history with your middle schooler.

They are 18 year old kids straight out of HS, far from home and exploited through guilt by LDS, Inc. Pity is what you should feel for them.

Students need to pay attention to their classes and be good examples of dedication to goals and hard work.

As a parent, I wouldn't like a college student spending money and time on Mormons or JWs who likely haven't been given permission to be on campus confronting the students who are paying good money for their college classes.

Perhaps you could simply explain to them that genuine missionaries DO NOT normally attempt to persuade anyone to join a particular sect or denomination. The role of a missionary is simply to persuade non-believers into becoming Christians and there should be no reason at all to join or become a member of any organization.

Following that you could tell them that you might consider becoming a Christian as long as you're allowed to be a member of the denomination of your choice, preferably one that doesn't demand payment to go to Heaven. If they can't agree to that then clearly they cannot be missionaries in the real sense of the word, salespeople might be a better term.

Easy. Only ask questions.

Two phrases I find helpful in avoiding conversation with Missionaries:

Not Today

and

I have nothing to add.

That's all you say, and walk away.

I really like the "I have noting to add." It discourages all the rest of the initiated discussion by unwanted solicitation of the Elders.

1. Do not engage them in the first place
2. Just a nod or wave goodbye - no comment, let your body language send a message.

I have found it's very effective to be non verbal.
I've answered the door to someone that I didn't want to talk to so I opened the door just a crack, listened for 5to 10 seconds, waved goodbye and shut the door.

I used to have an old broken BB gun that I kept by the door! :-)

Just ask them 1 question. When was the last time a prophet of God said "Thus saith the Lord"

Done. No living prophets today.

Keep a couple copies of the CES letter with you. When they approach; Say, o so glad to see you. I have been praying for you and God has inspired me to give you this.

Hand them the letter and polity bid them farewell.

You don't need to engage them. A simple, "not interested" will suffice. OTOH, if you enjoy discussing your view of Mormonism, I don't see why you shouldn't do that. They are religious salespeople, after all.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/24/2014 05:46PM by summer.

I bumped into some Elders in San Francisco on a corner. They seemed really out of place and uncomfortable so instead of starting a long conversation with them, which my Girl Friends hates, I told them I was one. It was like they lit up and smiled thinking finally......one of us in the big city. We kept on our way and the feelings were much better the bashing. I was once a Mormon and like me, they can become. LOL

If you want them to keep pestering you, be Mr. or Mrs. Nice. If you want them out of your live FOREVER, you have to hostile. They don't listen to anything else. Their brains and ears are filled with arrogance and it causes problems.

"haha, master manipulators?

That's a little much. They a naiive kids who dont know any better, hardly masters at anything." -

THEY ARE CELEBRATING THEIR 167th YEAR IN THE SLC VALLEY TODAY. YES THEY ARE MANIPULATORS. HOW LONG WOULD A STORY BASED ON KOLOB AND MOON QUAKERS LAST WITHOUT SERIOUS MANIPULATION? DON'T FORGET THAT IT WAS FOUNDED BY A CHILD MOLESTOR AND RACIST. SERIOUS MANIPULATION!!!