53 replies to this topic

[Stryyp]

Am I the only Mormon?

Aus, I'm quite sure there are many other country out there that never heard of this religion.

But I got a story .
There was a time where religion recruiter come to my house, they can speak my native(not sure if this correct word) language of my family. So it give my mother a chance to talk with them(she can't speak english ). Anyway instead of them preaching to us, she started to preach my family religion to them .

Mormons are in very, very many countries =P The only ones that would not have some degree of a Mormon population are pretty "out there", I believe.

I would presume he meant Austria since Australians speak English.

Just for the record, Mormonism is probably the religion which least annoys me. At least they kind of admit that theirs is basically made up by some crazy guy.

It is incorrect to say that Mormons admit to following a religion made up by a "crazy guy" We do not see everything as incredibly sensible to someone who doesn't know the church, which is why we do not get pissy when people do not understand what the hell we are talking about =P

I'm pretty sure that the door to door'ers do this because they have to because "its their duty" for about 2 years (don't quote me, I just heard this somewhere)

That would be a mission. They do not have to do it, but we believe it is something that you should do. I currently have a brother serving in Arizona and one leaving for Nevada this January =3


Everyone is entitled to their privacy, but really, how bad is answering the door, if nothing else, to just tell them to go away? It barely takes any time at all, but everyone seems to make it out as their whole day is ruined and they are miserable because someone knocked on their door =S Of course, that is quite possibly biased since I AM Mormon, but I just fail to see how a minute or two is capable of derailing your whole day.

Also, alot of these stories are not characteristic of Mormon behavior.

Cataliste, I know your post was in jest, but if the first part about them honking is true, they were not Mormons.

(To whoever made the comment) Do you happen to know what these pamphlets say? To my knowledge, missionaries do not really have pamphlets that they just hand out, they prefer to explain it in person instead of someone reading a couple lines of text and not having anyone to answer a question.

They have also started phasing out tracting (Door-to-door) because it generally yields little and pisses people off who cannot be bothered for a few moments.

Edited by HydroLink64, 05 November 2007 - 04:14 PM.

[DudeOnline]

The pamphlet had someone walking down a path both sides lined with trees and I forget what it said, I threw it away as soon as I got it.

It wasn't that the guy(s) (the guy had a lackey standing there silent with a dumb look on his face) knocking on my door that got me pissy, it's the fact that he pretty much tried to FORCE his way into my home to spin his line. Mormons, Kirby salesmen, or Gene Simmons I don't care who, if you step a foot in my home without my express permission, that foot has now become my property.

Edited by Dudeonline, 05 November 2007 - 04:22 PM.

[Akira]

Hydro, I respect and tolerate your religion, even if it is....eh....o.O Your promised land is in America, ain't it?

I like the South Park bit on Mormonism, really....>.> It sums up my thoughts on Mormonism.

Still, once a religious person comes up to my door, they are on my property, pushing their agenda into my face. If atheists walked door to door to tell religious people to bark off, I doubt it would go over well. When you're at home, you expect safety and freedom. After all, in your own home, you are supposed to feel safe and comfortable, and nothing makes you feel worse (besides a thief or late night break in, of course) then somebody walking up to your door, and essentially saying 'Hey, moron! I'm positive that you're views on the afterlife are dead wrong. So wrong, in fact, that I am willing to come up to your face to tell you that. In fact, I think that you are so stupid that I could easily convert you by sitting down and telling you that I am right and you are wrong.'

Essentially.

[Stryyp]

The pamphlet had someone walking down a path both sides lined with trees and I forget what it said, I threw it away as soon as I got it.

It wasn't that the guy(s) (the guy had a lackey standing there silent with a dumb look on his face) knocking on my door that got me pissy, it's the fact that he pretty much tried to FORCE his way into my home to spin his line. Mormons, Kirby salesmen, or Gene Simmons I don't care who, if you step a foot in my home without my express permission, that foot has now become my property.

Ah, then you have plenty reason to be upset =P I fully support removal of extremities when the owner is being a dumbass =P

I just do not want people thinking that all Mormon missionaries cannot wait to force their way into your home to give you a whole rant against your will There are some missionaries like that and even Mormons do not like them xD

Also, did they say they are from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and/or did you read the name tag? It probably was a Mormon, but that is something I wondered.

Edited by HydroLink64, 05 November 2007 - 04:35 PM.

[DudeOnline]

Ah, then you have plenty reason to be upset =P I fully support removal of extremities when the owner is being a dumbass =P

I just do not want people thinking that all Mormon missionaries cannot wait to force their way into your home to give you a whole rant against your will There are some missionaries like that and even Mormons do not like them xD

Also, did they say they are from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and/or did you read the name tag? It probably was a Mormon, but that is something I wondered.

They didn't say where they were from...just snazzy dressed men with slicked-to-the-side haircuts on bicycles asking me if i was interested to hear something or other, I pretty much cut them off at that point, didnt even read their name tag if they had one. I usually give them a "not interested" and they usually try to step in, and I usually have to threaten amputation. It's pretty common here in this part of Las Vegas for some reason

that being said we have them knock on doors here about every 3 months or so. I guess this is the best place to go on Mission if you are a Mormon eh?

and Driving around town I see about five of them on a Daily basis atleast.

Edited by Dudeonline, 05 November 2007 - 04:35 PM.

[Stryyp]

They didn't say where they were from...just snazzy dressed men with slicked-to-the-side haircuts on bicycles asking me if i was interested to hear something or other, I pretty much cut them off at that point, didnt even read their name tag if they had one. I usually give them a "not interested" and they usually try to step in, and I usually have to threaten amputation. It's pretty common here in this part of Las Vegas for some reason

Las Vegas? That is where my brother is going! His area is labeled as "Las Vegas West". Is that commonly agreed upon as a location, or is it just what the Mormons have divided it into for zoning purposes?

And that does fit the Mormon description... Always look for the black nametag, that is a good indication. And they are never in opposite sex pairs, always two girls or two dudes.

Hydro, I respect and tolerate your religion, even if it is....eh....o.O Your promised land is in America, ain't it?

I like the South Park bit on Mormonism, really....>.> It sums up my thoughts on Mormonism.

Still, once a religious person comes up to my door, they are on my property, pushing their agenda into my face. If atheists walked door to door to tell religious people to bark off, I doubt it would go over well. When you're at home, you expect safety and freedom. After all, in your own home, you are supposed to feel safe and comfortable, and nothing makes you feel worse (besides a thief or late night break in, of course) then somebody walking up to your door, and essentially saying 'Hey, moron! I'm positive that you're views on the afterlife are dead wrong. So wrong, in fact, that I am willing to come up to your face to tell you that. In fact, I think that you are so stupid that I could easily convert you by sitting down and telling you that I am right and you are wrong.'

Essentially.

Hate to nitpick, but if you do not have a "no soliciting" sign, they are not your property or invading your privacy.

Completely irrelevant, yes?

I can also think of LOTS of things worse than someone coming onto my doorstep and telling me their beliefs. Some Baptists came to my door the other day and I was very kind to them and appreciated what they were doing, even though I had no intention of doing anything with the pamphlets they gave me, save it be throw them away. Why? I respect them. They are spending their time trying to progress what they believe in, and I believe the least I can do is not be an ass to them.

Also, you are completely exaggerating what Mormons do. They do not go on a tangent about how everything you know is wrong, everything they know is right and you are a complete fool. Naturally if they did not think they were wrong there would be no reason to try and teach them, but it is not them being wrong due to stupidity (And never presented that way,) but rather just not being taught, which is what they are trying to do. Missionaries are trained to be unobtrusive and understanding of diverse beliefs. If you ever see a case like that, you are either confusing them with someone else, or they are just a sucky missionary.

Not a very cogent argument, Akira

Edited by HydroLink64, 05 November 2007 - 04:36 PM.

[travis]

Well this is the first I heard of Mormon religion.

You see with people like me, without knowledge of this religion how am I suppose to know about it. The point is...the religion(it a religion rite?), the point is...the religion are new/unpopular and therefore never been heard much about .

I don't like Door2Door people much...but o well.

-Cough- I believe the Latter Day Saints out date Christianity..but I may be wrong.

[Stryyp]

-Cough- I believe the Latter Day Saints out date Christianity..but I may be wrong.

Depends on how you look at it. I will not go into one option as I do not feel like explaining it, but for all intents and purposes, we were formed in the 1800's.

[DudeOnline]

Not sure if you saw my edit HL, but it seems that Las Vegas is a pretty popular spot for Mormons going on Mission...makes me wonder if all of them are here for what they are supposed to be

That being said I have seen a couple of them Park their bike outside a casino and waltz right in and gamble. it tickles me every time.

[Stryyp]

Not sure if you saw my edit HL, but it seems that Las Vegas is a pretty popular spot for Mormons going on Mission...makes me wonder if all of them are here for what they are supposed to be

That being said I have seen a couple of them Park their bike outside a casino and waltz right in and gamble. it tickles me every time.

It is, actually. There is also a pretty big Mormon population in the Las Vegas area, I think, but I could be wrong. And missionaries are expressly forbidden to go near the strip or any of the casinos, so those were some of the sucky missionaries I mentioned

[Akira]

Hate to nitpick, but if you do not have a "no soliciting" sign, they are not your property or invading your privacy.

Completely irrelevant, yes?

I can also think of LOTS of things worse than someone coming onto my doorstep and telling me their beliefs. Some Baptists came to my door the other day and I was very kind to them and appreciated what they were doing, even though I had no intention of doing anything with the pamphlets they gave me, save it be throw them away. Why? I respect them. They are spending their time trying to progress what they believe in, and I believe the least I can do is not be an ass to them.

Also, you are completely exaggerating what Mormons do. They do not go on a tangent about how everything you know is wrong, everything they know is right and you are a complete fool. Naturally if they did not think they were wrong there would be no reason to try and teach them, but it is not them being wrong due to stupidity (And never presented that way,) but rather just not being taught, which is what they are trying to do. Missionaries are trained to be unobtrusive and understanding of diverse beliefs. If you ever see a case like that, you are either confusing them with someone else, or they are just a sucky missionary.

Not a very cogent argument, Akira

I am -very- loopy right now, so I apologize if I ain't making a lot of sense right now.

I haven't a problem with someone walking up to my door and when I say 'no thanks', they walk away. I have a problem when they refuse to leave, put their foot in my door, and use as many 'soft' words as possible to try and sound noninvasive.

Not what I meant at all, nor was I going on about Mormon's specifically. I probably should have said 'door to door religious folk' at the beginning of that paragraph, so you would not think that it was Mormon only. Furthermore, prettying up how you do the door to door doesn't change the message. A Mormon, Jehovah's witness, Christian, etc...it don't matter which one it is that knocks on your door. If you aren't following their belief, they sure don't think that you're right about the afterlife. The opposite of right is wrong, so they think that person is wrong. Furthermore, if they are expecting to convert someone by sitting down and giving a pamphlet to them, they think the other to either be stupid...or gullible.

I have a feeling that I was rude or condescending. Bark. I'll probably have to edit this in another hour when I ain't feelin' so loopy.

[Stryyp]

I am -very- loopy right now, so I apologize if I ain't making a lot of sense right now.

I haven't a problem with someone walking up to my door and when I say 'no thanks', they walk away. I have a problem when they refuse to leave, put their foot in my door, and use as many 'soft' words as possible to try and sound noninvasive.

Not what I meant at all, nor was I going on about Mormon's specifically. I probably should have said 'door to door religious folk' at the beginning of that paragraph, so you would not think that it was Mormon only. Furthermore, prettying up how you do the door to door doesn't change the message. A Mormon, Jehovah's witness, Christian, etc...it don't matter which one it is that knocks on your door. If you aren't following their belief, they sure don't think that you're right about the afterlife. The opposite of right is wrong, so they think that person is wrong. Furthermore, if they are expecting to convert someone by sitting down and giving a pamphlet to them, they think the other to either be stupid...or gullible.

I have a feeling that I was rude or condescending. Bark. I'll probably have to edit this in another hour when I ain't feelin' so loopy.

I tried to make it clear in my last post, but apparently I failed at that. Mormons do NOT view people as "wrong", per se. Say that you ask someone who has little to no experience with motor cycles, can you realistically expect them to hop on a motor cycle and go cruising down the road? Although you are correct about them not knowing and/or being wrong, saying "You are a dipshit and wrong" is completely different than recognizing that there are those with understanding and those without. As I said, there is no way of getting around missionaries believing people are incorrect or just do not know, but that does not mean they are condescending or rude, or view the person as an inferior.

Believing something different DOES = "wrong" (I prefer taught/untaught or understanding/unfamiliar, as wrong is too broad a term.)

Believing something different does NOT = "you are an idiot and are wrong about everything you believe, which gives me every right to come in and expressly tell you the RIGHT way to do things."

Edited by HydroLink64, 05 November 2007 - 04:56 PM.

[Akira]

I tried to make it clear in my last post, but apparently I failed at that. Mormons do NOT view people as "wrong". Say that you ask someone who has little to no experience with motor cycles, can you realistically expect them to hop on a motor cycle and go cruising down the road? Although you are correct about them not knowing and/or being wrong, saying "You are a dipshit and wrong" is completely different than recognizing that there are those with understanding and those without. As I said, there is no way of getting around missionaries believing people are incorrect or just do not know, but that does not mean they are condescending or rude, or view the person as an inferior.

Believing something different DOES = "wrong"

Believing something different does NOT = "you are an idiot and are wrong about everything you believe, which gives me every right to come in and expressly tell you the RIGHT way to do things."

Prettying it up. I said 'the view is that the person you are visiting to try and convert is wrong.' Your response is 'Mormon's don't view other people as wrong, we just view them as being incorrect'.

Let's say that a Christian walks up to my door and asks if I want to talk about Jesus Christ. I say no, and they put a foot in my door. I give in and let them in. They aren't in my house to learn about atheism, they are in my house to say that Jesus is the one true path. They are saying that I am wrong. They aren't -literally- saying 'Akira, you dipshit, you're wrong'. They are saying 'Our path is the true path'. Look into it. If they are right, and my view COMPLETELY clashes with their's on every level, then they are saying I am wrong.

When a missionary comes to your door and enters your home, they ARE telling you the 'right' way to do things.

[Stryyp]

Prettying it up. I said 'the view is that the person you are visiting to try and convert is wrong.' Your response is 'Mormon's don't view other people as wrong, we just view them as being incorrect'.

Let's say that a Christian walks up to my door and asks if I want to talk about Jesus Christ. I say no, and they put a foot in my door. I give in and let them in. They aren't in my house to learn about atheism, they are in my house to say that Jesus is the one true path. They are saying that I am wrong. They aren't -literally- saying 'Akira, you dipshit, you're wrong'. They are saying 'Our path is the true path'. Look into it. If they are right, and my view COMPLETELY clashes with their's on every level, then they are saying I am wrong.

When a missionary comes to your door and enters your home, they ARE telling you the 'right' way to do things.

One, I never even said that. Two, what you are reading as that is taken out of context.

I will now quote myself (From something I actually said!) "As I said, there is no way of getting around missionaries believing people are incorrect or just do not know, but that does not mean they are condescending or rude, or view the person as an inferior."

You cannot write off being considerate of others beliefs and being unobtrusive as "Prettying up" their conclusion, and then cite it as a fault for them not being in-your-face "You are WRONG, my good sir." Surely I must have made my intentions unclear SEVERAL times, because you cannot seem to understand that I am not claiming Mormons believe they are right over, say, an atheist. If I recall, I EXPRESSLY stated there is no way of getting around that. You, however, keep insisting that anything short of shouting in your face of your inferiority is just trying to mask your true motive.

And if I did indeed actually say what you quoted me on, please point it out, because I may need to get glasses.

Edited by HydroLink64, 05 November 2007 - 05:13 PM.

[Akira]

One, I never even said that. Two, what you are reading as that is taken out of context.

I will now quote myself (From something I actually said!) "As I said, there is no way of getting around missionaries believing people are incorrect or just do not know, but that does not mean they are condescending or rude, or view the person as an inferior."

You cannot write off being considerate of others beliefs and being unobtrusive as "Prettying up" their conclusion, and then cite it as a fault for them not being in-your-face "You are WRONG, my good sir." Surely I must have made my intentions unclear SEVERAL times, because you cannot seem to understand that I am not claiming Mormons believe they are right over, say, an atheist. If I recall, I EXPRESSLY stated there is no way of getting around that. You, however, keep insisting that anything short of shouting in your face of your inferiority is just trying to mask your true motive.

And if I did indeed actually say what you quoted me on, please point it out, because I may need to get glasses.

And I never said -exactly- what I quoted. It's paraphrasing. I do it a lot. "Mormons do NOT view people as "wrong"." "As I said, there is no way of getting around missionaries believing people are incorrect..." I mashed those two together. And as I said before, loopy. What I'm interpreting could be -completely- off, but this is my first impression from what you said.

It's...prettying it up. Gah, I can't seem to explain this properly >.>

You are wrong = I am right
Your view is a false one that will cause you to suffer for an eternity in burning hellfire = My belief in -insert deity here- will lead me to paradise.
Your life is miserable without -insert deity here- = My life became complete once I discovered -insert deity here-.

It's prettied up. On the right side of those equal signs, we have the statements that are used by missionaries. The meanings on the left side are the same, but are much more negative. When they step into your house, it is not to discuss both sides fairly; it is to push those thoughts. They aren't interested in atheism, hinduism, buddhism, etc. They are interested in getting your butt into their church ASAP.

That's what I'm trying to say, and if I failed to explain it yet again, I really don't know what to do.

[dolphinbomb]

You'd think codex would learn by now that religious debates never end well.

Let Hydrolink believe in his religion. Stop arguing with him, because all it's going to cause is drama and possibly a warn or two.

juju, I see you reading this topic. You should probably close it

[Stryyp]

And I never said -exactly- what I quoted. It's paraphrasing. I do it a lot. "Mormons do NOT view people as "wrong"." "As I said, there is no way of getting around missionaries believing people are incorrect..." I mashed those two together. And as I said before, loopy. What I'm interpreting could be -completely- off, but this is my first impression from what you said.

It's...prettying it up. Gah, I can't seem to explain this properly >.>

You are wrong = I am right
Your view is a false one that will cause you to suffer for an eternity in burning hellfire = My belief in -insert deity here- will lead me to paradise.
Your life is miserable without -insert deity here- = My life became complete once I discovered -insert deity here-.

It's prettied up. On the right side of those equal signs, we have the statements that are used by missionaries. The meanings on the left side are the same, but are much more negative. When they step into your house, it is not to discuss both sides fairly; it is to push those thoughts. They aren't interested in atheism, hinduism, buddhism, etc. They are interested in getting your butt into their church ASAP.

That's what I'm trying to say, and if I failed to explain it yet again, I really don't know what to do.

If no one is trying to convince anyone of anything everyone is just wasting their time.

I have NEVER claimed Mormons do not believe they are right as opposed to an Atheist, and our disagreement seems to be in the "prettying up" factor. It all lies in presentation, which if you would rather have them be blunt with you and insist you are a sinner and are in serious need of spiritual recompense, then we are wasting our time arguing over your personal belief.

Anything else I can say would just be copying something from my previous posts, so I will leave it at this, but Akira, if you wish to continue discussing this through PM, I'd be more than glad to.

And Dolphin, we are not even arguing over the legitimacy of a religion, but rather appropriate methods of preaching it =P The only thing that has to do with beliefs is believing you are right over someone who shares differing views, not WHY you believe what you do.

Edited by HydroLink64, 05 November 2007 - 05:46 PM.

[Akira]

I would gladly continue this through PM...but maybe I ought to lay down first ^-^ I fear that I'm making a dangerous little amount of sense. I'm arguing apples, you're arguing artichokes, it'll never work in public!

But seriously, PM me if you want to continue the discussion. I won't push it on you if you don't want to keep going ^-^ Simple as that.

Perhaps what I'm trying to say is that you learn a bit more when you dig a little deeper. They sell you a 'pretty' version, then give you the real version once you're in it.

[DudeOnline]

I Just want to add here that in no way do the contents of this topic reflect the thoughts or beliefs of the Original Poster, unless it is specifically written by the Original Poster. that is all

Edited by Dudeonline, 05 November 2007 - 07:05 PM.

[pyke]

On another note about Mormons, they usually send cute girls out to do their house to house work, so they're alright in my book

Haven't bothered me yet. Plus they promote good values (excluding psycho polygamists in Utah).

And kitsune, the boy that punched you was clearly a DEMON CHILD!!!

[pyke]

I agree, I mean geez, here I was sitting there minding my own business and then WHAM

Did you at least punch him back? xD

[pyke]

I wish I was that calm

I tend to respond to stuff like that with excessive force.

[pyke]

I did that for too long, up until I was 11, I was fairly violent. Then I had quite a bad bike accident, smashed my helmet to bits... ever since then I've always just chosen a pacifist route. I can't help but think the accident and the change in me was related.

My grandfather taught me to defend myself and fight since I was about 2 years old. So I was quite proficient...

Grandfathers tend to be the root of fighting spirits in everyone

Mine told me "Don't you start any shit Harry (I don't know WHY he called me harry), but you'd be wise to finish it". It's pretty awesome that I always avoided punishment as a kid in regards to my dad due to that advice xD

[Darkaos]

Off topic. These kind of talking will increase their belief and their ability to write a Point of View. Don't close it till violence uproar....e.g. personally attacking someone

[DudeOnline]

Off topic. These kind of talking will increase their belief and their ability to write a Point of View. Don't close it till violence uproar....e.g. personally attacking someone

Huh?! Translation please?