What do you do when religious missionaries come to your door

[ՏՇԾԵԵʅՏɧ_LԹՏՏʅҼ]

If LSD Missionaries come to the door (you can recognize them - usually in dark pants, white shirt & tie), I'm polite and then send them on their way.

My niece was married to an LSD. And yes, if you're non-mormon, you cannot enter the Temple even for family weddings if it's within the inner temple if you're not LSD. They can be performed on Church grounds/within the building - but not in the Church proper where non-Mormon congregation can't enter.

LSD marriage ceremonies can be performed in more "relaxed" LSD churches - or outdoor settings as well.

I attended an LSD marriage just 2 yrs ago - it was in the LSD church - not the Temple - where I live.

Now back to door-to-door Missionaries....

I won't answer the door to other solicitors whether business or religious - especially JW. I have a personal aversion to their belief system. (No offense to any here who may be).

My cousin was married to a JW - he insisted she keep her socializing strictly to people within the congregation/faith - isolating her from people outside their church - including family. She also developed complications during one of her pregnancies - and required a transfusion - which was against HIS beliefs - (a life-saving procedure I fail to understand denying) - HER family insisted it be done - thank goodness or she may not have survived - nor their son. He was also a very controlling person - not based on his personality, but on his beliefs - HE was in charge (in his opinion) - she had no voice - because that's what he was taught (in his Church).

[violagirl]

I think that in any belief system you get people who take things to extreme. I'm not sure if they are a good example of the average believer or even of the entire religion.  I am sorry that some people have had some bad experiences with JW because some things like - Scottish Lassie's cousin are not what is advocated nor accepted behaviour. Definitely not the viewpoint of anyone that I know. 

Also, while we are not generally close friends with people who do not share our beliefs, it's not like I would immediately stop talking to someone if I found out they were not JW. Not all of my family are JW, we get together fairly frequently. My Dad goes fishing with his neighbour. I have some friends from various places that I have worked that I still go out for lunch with. I think for some people that are very black and white in the way they think they can tend to be all or nothing. Often people who first become JW are very strict. It is difficult to take a principle from the Bible like - love your neighbour and then have other scriptures like the one in 1 Corinthians. It can take awhile to be comfortable in finding a balance. To me when I read something in the Bible like that I always try to think about why would God want that? If God is love, then you would think anything written is written from the perspective of a loving Father who only wants the best for their children. But everyone brings the baggage of their lives with them into the equation. I just happen to have had a particularly joyful, loving family so I guess I have good baggage. 

[Apple]

LSD missionaries? Canada must be an interesting place...

[Green Eyed Lady]

Jul 24, 2014 8:32:00 GMT -5 Apple said:

LSD missionaries? Canada must be an interesting place...

LOL!

[Plain Old Petunia]

Jul 23, 2014 22:45:01 GMT -5 sesfw said:

I just couldn't accept that if a Supreme Being existed, it created people and wrote a book full of hateful rules for them to follow.

I whole heartedly believe in a Supreme Being ..... no matter how it's spelled. 

Through the years the Bible has confused me also ....... until I realized the words written down in the OT are stories and legends about wonderful people that tried to live good lives.  So many of these stories came from a time that had no written language and were passed down through the generations.  Just like the stories of our American Indians ..... explanations on how things occurred and started.

The New Testament:  Jesus was born into a good Jewish family and grew up to be in iterant preacher/teacher.  The message He taught was one of love, compassion, peace ....... and following the Ten Commandments.  I am very happy to follow Him and His teachings.  He was killed by crucifixion by a community that feared His teachings.

It's amazing how many laws are on the books world-wide trying to enforce the Ten Commandments.

Religious dogma ....... meh <shrug> .......... I look at all of them, including the church I belong to, and wonder how any of them know what God says or wants.  However I find my church family to be very loving and supportive.

I believe in life after death.  If I'm wrong ... absolutely nothing will happen.  If I'm right, then there is a chance I'll spend eternity with DH#! ......... and DH#2 will spend eternity with his DW#1.  These things I will not know until after my death.  I'm willing to wait ...... and believe as my heart leads me.

I'm babbling now ........ but this is what I believe.

Edited to add:  I would rather believe in God (Supreme Being, etc) and be wrong ..... than NOT believe in God and be wrong.

There are some great stories.   There are some wonderful lessons about forgiveness and kindness.  And then there are also God given orders to commit genocide.     And then we are told God is love.

For many of us, not believing is not a choice.   I don't choose to not believe, I simply do not believe.

Do you choose not to believe in Zeus, the Greek ruler of the other Gods, or do you simply not believe any such diety exists?   What about Baal, the God of the Philistines in the Bible?  Do you have to contemplate whether or not you believe in Baal, or do you simply dismiss Him as obviously fabricated?

For many of us, the God of the Bible is no different than Zeus or Baal.  "God" is simply an idea created by mankind in an attempt to understand his world and find meaning in his existence.

Should I pretend to believe anyway, just in case?   If there is a God, wouldn't S/He know I am just a big phony?

[Pants]

Jul 23, 2014 22:45:01 GMT -5 sesfw said:

I just couldn't accept that if a Supreme Being existed, it created people and wrote a book full of hateful rules for them to follow.

I whole heartedly believe in a Supreme Being ..... no matter how it's spelled. 

Through the years the Bible has confused me also ....... until I realized the words written down in the OT are stories and legends about wonderful people that tried to live good lives.  So many of these stories came from a time that had no written language and were passed down through the generations.  Just like the stories of our American Indians ..... explanations on how things occurred and started.

The New Testament:  Jesus was born into a good Jewish family and grew up to be in iterant preacher/teacher.  The message He taught was one of love, compassion, peace ....... and following the Ten Commandments.  I am very happy to follow Him and His teachings.  He was killed by crucifixion by a community that feared His teachings.

It's amazing how many laws are on the books world-wide trying to enforce the Ten Commandments.

Religious dogma ....... meh <shrug> .......... I look at all of them, including the church I belong to, and wonder how any of them know what God says or wants.  However I find my church family to be very loving and supportive.

I believe in life after death.  If I'm wrong ... absolutely nothing will happen.  If I'm right, then there is a chance I'll spend eternity with DH#! ......... and DH#2 will spend eternity with his DW#1.  These things I will not know until after my death.  I'm willing to wait ...... and believe as my heart leads me.

I'm babbling now ........ but this is what I believe.

Edited to add:  I would rather believe in God (Supreme Being, etc) and be wrong ..... than NOT believe in God and be wrong.

This is called Pascal's wager, and many find it persuasive.

[CarolinaKat]

Jul 24, 2014 10:41:22 GMT -5 Plain Old Petunia said:

Jul 23, 2014 22:45:01 GMT -5 sesfw said:

I just couldn't accept that if a Supreme Being existed, it created people and wrote a book full of hateful rules for them to follow.

I whole heartedly believe in a Supreme Being ..... no matter how it's spelled. 

Through the years the Bible has confused me also ....... until I realized the words written down in the OT are stories and legends about wonderful people that tried to live good lives.  So many of these stories came from a time that had no written language and were passed down through the generations.  Just like the stories of our American Indians ..... explanations on how things occurred and started.

The New Testament:  Jesus was born into a good Jewish family and grew up to be in iterant preacher/teacher.  The message He taught was one of love, compassion, peace ....... and following the Ten Commandments.  I am very happy to follow Him and His teachings.  He was killed by crucifixion by a community that feared His teachings.

It's amazing how many laws are on the books world-wide trying to enforce the Ten Commandments.

Religious dogma ....... meh <shrug> .......... I look at all of them, including the church I belong to, and wonder how any of them know what God says or wants.  However I find my church family to be very loving and supportive.

I believe in life after death.  If I'm wrong ... absolutely nothing will happen.  If I'm right, then there is a chance I'll spend eternity with DH#! ......... and DH#2 will spend eternity with his DW#1.  These things I will not know until after my death.  I'm willing to wait ...... and believe as my heart leads me.

I'm babbling now ........ but this is what I believe.

Edited to add:  I would rather believe in God (Supreme Being, etc) and be wrong ..... than NOT believe in God and be wrong.

There are some great stories.   There are some wonderful lessons about forgiveness and kindness.  And then there are also God given orders to commit genocide.     And then we are told God is love.

For many of us, not believing is not a choice.   I don't choose to not believe, I simply do not believe.

Do you choose not to believe in Zeus, the Greek ruler of the other Gods, or do you simply not believe any such diety exists?   What about Baal, the God of the Philistines in the Bible?  Do you have to contemplate whether or not you believe in Baal, or do you simply dismiss Him as obviously fabricated?

For many of us, the God of the Bible is no different than Zeus or Baal.  "God" is simply an idea created by mankind in an attempt to understand his world and find meaning in his existence.

Should I pretend to believe anyway, just in case?   If there is a God, wouldn't S/He know I am just a big phony?

In one of my favorite books, the main character, a cat, remarks that she feels sorry for humanity and it's struggle with which religion is 'right' or 'best' or 'true.' Cats know from birth. She knows that the Great Feline will show compassion and care for the humans in the afterlife all the same.

[Plain Old Petunia]

What is the name of the book, CarolinaKat?

[Firebird]

This is called Pascal's wager, and many find it persuasive.

Many also find it to have huge holes that make it rather UNpersuasive.  I'm one of those.

(PW actually kind of pisses me off.)

[Pants]

Jul 24, 2014 11:24:01 GMT -5 Firebird said:

This is called Pascal's wager, and many find it persuasive.

Many also find it to have huge holes that make it rather UNpersuasive.  I'm one of those.

(PW actually kind of pisses me off.)

I don't think it's persuasive. But many do.

[CarolinaKat]

Jul 24, 2014 11:15:10 GMT -5 Plain Old Petunia said:

What is the name of the book, CarolinaKat?

It's one of the Mrs. Murphy books by Rita Mae Brown, I don't remember which of them has the conversation in it.
 
ETA: I like her Jefferson Hunt series as well

[Plain Old Petunia]

Jul 24, 2014 11:30:34 GMT -5 CarolinaKat said:

Jul 24, 2014 11:15:10 GMT -5 Plain Old Petunia said:

What is the name of the book, CarolinaKat?

It's one of the Mrs. Murphy books by Rita Mae Brown, I don't remember which of them has the conversation in it.
 
ETA: I like her Jefferson Hunt series as well

I am always on the lookout for a good read.  Thanks! 

[CarolinaKat]

Jul 24, 2014 11:32:15 GMT -5 Plain Old Petunia said:

Jul 24, 2014 11:30:34 GMT -5 CarolinaKat said:

It's one of the Mrs. Murphy books by Rita Mae Brown, I don't remember which of them has the conversation in it.
 
ETA: I like her Jefferson Hunt series as well

I am always on the lookout for a good read.  Thanks! 

Murder Mysteries with talking animals (which humans are too dumb to understand). The first book 'Wish You Were Here' is one of the worst ones. But the next two are really good. There are 18 or 20 in all. Now I read them as much to keep up with all the characters as to see whodunnit

[Firebird]

I don't think it's persuasive. But many do.

Sorry - I didn't think you were saying you did.  I agree that a lot of people find it persuasive

[ՏՇԾԵԵʅՏɧ_LԹՏՏʅҼ]

Jul 24, 2014 8:32:00 GMT -5 Apple said:

LSD missionaries? Canada must be an interesting place...

LOL - that was obviously a Freudian slip on my part. I meant LDS.

(And I had already had a couple of )