I think anyone is rude to assume *their* religion is more worth *sharing* than the beliefs of someone didn't request the information.

So are mormons rude to openly brag about their religion at work and to their nonmo friends and neighbors?

I think it's always rude to bring up the subject as a way of gaining converts for a church. If someone shows an interest, then sharing is appropriate. Or if there's been a mutual agreement to discuss the subject.

But to go up to a stranger's house or to someone in a parking lot or on the street? It might be legal if there are no signs against the practice, but I consider it rude.

Worst of all is in a setting where people can't walk away. This once happened when I was waiting in a large room for jury duty. Someone stood up to "share" their religion. Many of us objected and shut down the rude religious nut.

The workplace also needs to be off limits in my opinion. No one who is forced to make a living should be exposed to a loudmouth religious hack at work. It's fine to talk about what someone wore to church or to discuss the flower arrangements and social aspects, but not fine to insinuate that others should join a church unless they show an interest in it.

I don't consider this as an issue of the law except in cases of trespassing or a hostile work environment. It is about being polite and considerate.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/03/2012 09:04AM by Cheryl.

I've worked at places that were predominantly Mormon and they openly talk about their religion. I've never noticed them doing it to convert anyone, though. To them, Church talk is just part of their vernacular.

This does affect the office politics. They tend to show preferences towards each other, and become a little passive aggressive and judgemental towards people who aren't part of the Mormon fanclub at work.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/03/2012 09:23AM by liminal state.

their missionary program TOTALLY denies their 11th Article of Faith, based on the principle you outline: "you're wrong & I'm right."

11. We claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may.

(REALLY?!? Then act like it!)

Bill Long nails the meat to the wall as well:

"...So, here is the tension. The ethos of the {mormon} religion is to cultivate deference and courtesy, to honor all people, but the practice of the religion has to be so that others will be converted. The fact of vigorous evangelism cannot be separated from a belief that the faith the LDS folk have is probably a bit truer than the faith of those with whom they talk. Even if this is denied, and I think most Mormon missionaries would deny it, I can't accept their denial as genuine. You go out in the field because you want converts; you want converts because you believe your religion is better or more true or superior to other people's religions."

http://www.drbilllong.com/CurrentEventsXX/AnneFrank.html

I was always the type who would share religion in a "let's discuss the reasons why we believe what we do and present the evidence and information so that we can learn from each other" sort of way. Unfortunately, as a TBM I learned that almost nobody wanted to hold discussions like this. Everyone seemed intent on insisting they were right and got offended when you shared basic information, even if you didn't draw any conclusions from it. I always thought that I would be a good missionary from the Lord because I would be so open and willing to listen as much as teach. I was wrong, this approach doesn't work with hardly any one.

Even now that I'm on the other side, I'm still surpised at how the vast majority reject this kind of approach. What's the big deal? Why are our differing beliefs so precious to us, that we would isolate ourselves from each other to protect them? Why can't we be more open in sharing basic information?

Oh yeah, because then we become apostates, like what happened with me.

kimball said
"...Everyone seemed intent on insisting they were right and got offended when you shared basic information, even if you didn't draw any conclusions from it."

Yes, I remember the first time I saw the film "Jésus de Montréal/Jesus of Montreal". I thought it was very interesting because during the course of the film different ideas that people in different parts of the world have/had about Jesus are shared. When I found that to be an eye opener to understant people and the world a little better, my friends and family thought that anything that was not "part of their supposed knowledge of who Jesus realy is was just plain wrong and we should not encourage that way of thinking."

I was very young and found myself feeling terribly disapointed that no one else was seeing it as a great way to learn about others. So again I had no one to share what to me was "this great discovery".

That's the way things are, yes. But why? Should they be?

In that case, we should close all schools, stop talking to our kids, and make sure that we never discuss anything with anyone ever again, because even the slightest "it's a nice day today" is going to convey to our neighbor "I have the truth and you don't, because you are inferior to me."

Or at least, you can do that. As for me, I don't give a rat's ass if people draw offense from my words. I'll hear them out and they can hear me out if they want to. If not, it's up to them to learn how to deal with civilized society.

...the way mor(m)ons love to tell us, "we don't go around bashing other people's religion." WTF??? What do they think paying thousands of dollars to send their kids out to harass people every stinkin day for two years is? It's putting other people down. It's saying "we're better than you." It's arrogant, haughty, condescending, conceited and it's BASHING other people's religions and beliefs.

Boingo: You've been Hoodwinked, baby!

Oh, well. Whatever doesn't kill you makes you stronger.

I remember, years ago, my brother describing his visit to the Institute of Religion across from his junior college: "They would teach us about various religions of the world, and then tell us what was wrong with them..."

DH and I were discussing this today.
How unbelievably arrogant of the morg to promote
that cojcolds is theone and only true church on the earth??
I remember my parents scoffing at my brothers, fresh home on break from college,
explaining how interesting it was to learn about other/world religions and cultures.
My psycho tbm dads reply:
"Well, we just have to feel sorry for 'those people', because
they do not have the fullness of the gospel".

Gahhh! I heard this sentiment repeated ad nauseum
at home, seminary, and church.
Really, how unbelievably arrogant and narrowminded to dismiss
entire religions! and cultures! And continents! of people who just
happen to believe in/ revere different god(s) & customs, as much as we revered the morg.
It's quite sad actually.
The opportunity to learn about/experience other cultures and religions....
To interact with and grow to love our fellow human beings who practice/believe differently than tbms, is a gift.
Truly, a gift.
Now I just feel a tiny bit sorry for my dad....

please excuse my poor grammar, its late....



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/04/2012 05:55AM by ambivalent exmo.

Two tall men in costume walked up to me while I was standing on a public square. It was some years ago and back then I was a small kid. They asked me if I had read the bible. I told them with an honest voice and attitude that I had not. At an instant they started to curse me and blame me for being rude and not obedient - I should be ashamed of myself! I really felt shame and I was shocked.

After that I time I pondered on the issue, and from time to time I chat with christian missionaries I meet on the street. I recite some correct doctrines from different theologians to show them that I am one of them. Why do I do that? Because to see if they treat me like a brother. They never do actually. They never hear what I say, they always try to silence me. The goal is to make me a stupid servant. That is what it is all about.

There was this american writer (Mencken) who thought that democracy had its paradoxes (because democrats often wanted people to think the same and conform), he wrote that it was like if a christian would be crucified by christians because he told them that he was a follower of christ!

One of the best explanations I heard about how non-LDS v. LDS view sharing of religion: To most non-LDS, their religious beliefs are personal ... like their sex lives. An LDS person running around telling people the details of their religion to anyone who will listen is like someone sharing information on their favorite sexual positions, or how many times a week their spouse likes to have sex, or the details of a lover's anatomy to anyone who will listen. TMI - and unwelcome TMI at that. If you are close enough to ask questions, then you are close enough to share details ... maybe. But otherwise, TMI and a bit vulgar to boot.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/05/2012 03:06AM by CA girl.