Mormon Missionaries

[PrincessBandit]

Ya'r a bit slow there John, FM (who else of course) beat you to that one yesterday...

But yes, I suppose you could put it that way - in a purely educational sense naturally!

[marty]

I'm told that they own property in excess of $50m in Hamilton!!

Guess the key is to be persistent and convert people to your religion. Pastor Brian Tamaki and his multimillion dollar house and yacht have the right idea

Not really the same thing - The Mormon Church is a world-wide recognised church with its HQ in the USA. Its property is probably collectively valued in the billions Temple View would easily be valued at over $50mill. Most of the church elders are good honest hard-working genuine people who are not in it for the $$

Tamaki is the pinnacle of his own organisation, and has the trappings and balls to show it.

[MSTRS:Me]

Not really the same thing - The Mormon Church is a world-wide recognised church with its HQ in the USA. Its property is probably collectively valued in the billions Temple View would easily be valued at over $50mill. Most of the church elders are good honest hard-working genuine people who are not in it for the $$

Tamaki is the pinnacle of his own organisation, and has the trappings and balls to show it.

Well, baubles, anyway...
Good answer to these approaches is -
"You're too late. Jesus has already been, had a cup of tea and fucked off. If you hurry, you might just catch him."

[golfmade]

I'm originally from Idaho and it wasn't much fun growing up non-mormon in a fairly mormon area. Granted not as many as in Utah but still a lot.

That said, if they stop you again just tell them Joseph Smith must have been the first to actually find LSD as to create such a pyramid scheme, er, cult, er no, religion called LDS.

Worst part about it for me is here in Taiwan they see me and ask where I'm from, I'm generally polite but when the next thing they ask me is "What ward do you belong to?" That grinds me gears.

[Ratti]

I spent 10 years in a christian cult when I lived in Whanganui.While Im prepared to be respectful of others beliefs. I do not appreciate having it shoved down my throat. Fortunatly I am close to 6 foot tall, big, with tatts and waistlength dreads...not a bad look for a mid-aged mama huh? lol It's all part of a costume really, not reflective of my sunny, generous nature. Really.

We dont get Mormons in the area I live but JW's come by fairly often. They tend to take one look at me and start backing away from the door. I dont generally get the chance to make a good impression... or try out some of the groovy stuff suggested here.

I like the lighter and bible idea...WOuldnt do it to an actual bible, but the rubbish leaflets they have would make good firelighters...

[Dave Lobster]

Wouldnt do it to an actual bible, but the rubbish leaflets they have would make good firelighters...

Why? It's the same dogma in it.

[Dave Lobster]

Wouldnt do it to an actual bible, but the rubbish leaflets they have would make good firelighters...

Why? It's the same dogma in it.

[Ratti]

hmmm, i guess I have a hangover from the old days. Yes I suppose it does contain the same dogma to a point. Its just that there are basic, helpful truths in the bible that I am willing to support and respect. IMnotveryHO

In my mind, and perhaps Im wrong, dogma and doctrine are manmade rules that divide us into groups. Again, IMO, the point o fJesus teaching is unity and love. nothing wrong with that in my eye.

therefore I keep the unity and love and reject the stuff that divides folk into 'us' and 'them'

Do you follow what I mean Dave? I'm not great with words so may well be making a complete hash of my explanation.
cheers

[vifferman]

Years ago, I was having some work done on an extension to my house by a builder mate, when some JWs walked around the back. I tried to get him to talk to them, and he said "Nah - it's your house!", so I said, "Yeah but I'm paying you, so you do as you're told!" and he ended it by donning earmuffs and starting his chainsaw.
The JWs did a quick u-turn and almost ran away when the chainsaw was cranked up.

I've tried talking to JWs and Mormons (I was a fundamentalist Christian in a very full-on church for a few years), but it does no good at all. They're not prepared to think, or concede points, or listen to reason, as it doesn't fit in with their purpose. Trying to debate with them is an exercise in frustration.

[Ratti]

yes, my point exactly. Poor things are so wrapped up in doctrine and dogma they are too scared to think for themselves. That type of thing is all about fear not love. How big is their god? not very if s/he/it has to fit into the tiny box they are comfortable with

[golfmade]

yes, my point exactly. Poor things are so wrapped up in doctrine and dogma they are too scared to think for themselves. That type of thing is all about fear not love. How big is their god? not very if s/he/it has to fit into the tiny box they are comfortable with

Doesn't help too that the church practices excommunication.

[MSTRS:Me]

Doesn't help too that the church practices excommunication.

The only way most/any of them 'escape'....

[golfmade]

The only way most/any of them 'escape'....

Yes in that way true, but not talking about problems doesn't make them go away.

[Ratti]

the crowd i was with used excommunication as a threat to 'teach someone a lesson' Their way of thinking was that it takes someone out from under the protection of the blood, therefore giving satan free access to them From there one was expected to come rushing back to the welcomming arms of the true believers.

ummm..yeah...
and this while teaching that once you are Gods, you can never not be His.

ummm...yeah...
go figure.

[SPman]

Dad tried the .."Oh, we're Jewish" trick. That worked! We weren't bothered after that.

JW's are OK - we had a couple in Browns Bay and Torbay who used to use us for a cuppa tea stop and a sit down - they didn't try to convert us after a couple of sessions (apart from the surruptitious Watchtower left beside the chair) and were pleasant enough.