Stop Bashing Mormons thread

callen

catefrances wrote:

well then, for their own good they better stay away from me.

how do you react when approached???....

most of the time before they even start I say "no thank you"....with the devil eye mind you and they take heed. I was worse in my younger days.

Jeanie

MahoganySouls wrote:

From many of the other posts I have read from you on here, you tend to lean to the liberal left. In other words, you seem to be a very lifestyle tolerant individual. Why then does this issue provoke you so much that you are willing to become prejudistic?

Quite honestly, I know that if you formally make a request to these people to stop coming by, they will take you off their lists. I have a very Catholic neighbor who did not want Jehovah's Witnesses coming to her home. When she called the police department to complain because she had registered, she learned that they didnt' fall under the "do not call" or "do not knock" laws we have here. She was told she had to contact them directly. It worked for her. Have you tried calling the local church?

Well firstly I'm not one for pigeon holing. Liberal left has a very different connotation here in Australia. I don't believe that I am being prejudistic. I completely support these people to hold the views they do. HOWEVER I do reserve the right to tell people to get off my property. And I am quite within my rights to discuss anything I like with people that are standing on my doorstep with an agenda. If they don't like it they are most welcome to stop dropping by. Considering that I have done all that can be done politely in the last 15 years to stop these people from calling then I have no qualms about "toying" with them when they seem to continually ignore my rights, my privacy and my beliefs. I've never been abusive, which quite frankly given the complete lack of respect shown for me or my continued requests, I would be within my rights to be. If they are going to continue to disrespect me and invade my space then we will be discussing Satan, or Marilyn Manson, or Fried Green tomatoes if that's what it takes. And how prejudicial of them to continue coming to try to "convert" me if I truly do worship Satan?
The last time I called the Baptists to advise them that putting advertising material in a letter box marked "NO ADVERTISING MATERIAL ACCEPTED" carried a hefty fine I was informed that I was un christian (like it's a bad thing!) and offensive. What is offensive is the belief that these requests, rules and laws do not apply to these people. I'm all for live and let live, but don't be forcing things down my throat when I have made it crystal clear I'm not interested. And if you persist, don't be surprised if you don't like the reaction.

Jeanie

angelica wrote:

What I see is that people use the behaviour of others to justify their own poor actions. That is the typical false mindset of abusers: "it's your own fault I have to act this way towards you". I can definitely understand people getting angered and frustrated. And if they choose poor behaviour as a response, rather than allowing life experience to nudge them into growth, so be it. In the final analysis, we're all responsible for our own choices, good, bad or indifferent.

I'm completely bowled over by the lack of tolerance in this thread. Thanks for your refreshing tolerant view, MahoganySouls.

Congratulations angelica. Another nice dig.

catefrances

callen wrote:

how do you react when approached???....

most of the time before they even start I say "no thank you"....with the devil eye mind you and they take heed. I was worse in my younger days.

as a bible reading atheist i challenge them of course. they can't actually prove anything so i tend to fluster them.

catefrances

angelica wrote:

What I see is that people use the behaviour of others to justify their own poor actions. That is the typical false mindset of abusers: "it's your own fault I have to act this way towards you". I can definitely understand people getting angered and frustrated. And if they choose poor behaviour as a response, rather than allowing life experience to nudge them into growth, so be it. In the final analysis, we're all responsible for our own choices, good, bad or indifferent.

I'm completely bowled over by the lack of tolerance in this thread. Thanks for your refreshing tolerant view, MahoganySouls.

come now angelica, surely you can understand how people see religion and souls and stuff as mumbo jumbo. how people dont want to hit over the head with it. and how they shouldn't have to deal with it if they don't want to.
it frustrates the hell out of me when i am exposed to the bullshit of religion. but i choose to deal with it in a rational manner for the most part. i ask questions. questions i know can not be answered by a rational mind. someone show me God. show me evidence of God or shut the fuck up. tis that simple. don't be trying to convince me of something that can't be proven. i don't need saving. at least not from my atheist self.

angelica

catefrances wrote:

come now angelica, surely you can understand how people see religion and souls and stuff as mumbo jumbo. how people dont want to hit over the head with it. and how they shouldn't have to deal with it if they don't want to.
it frustrates the hell out of me when i am exposed to the bullshit of religion. but i choose to deal with it in a rational manner for the most part. i ask questions. questions i know can not be answered by a rational mind. someone show me God. show me evidence of God or shut the fuck up. tis that simple. don't be trying to convince me of something that can't be proven. i don't need saving. at least not from my atheist self.

I said that I completely understand people being angry and frustrated. I had a run-in with some Mormon girls this summer and I've had my issues with them in the past. I own my anger, my frustration and my lacking skills when I need to find a way to solve a problem.

If people give themselves permission to act poorly, they continue the patterns rather than resolve them. The bottom line, again, is that we are responsible for our actions. No one else controls us. To in any way blame others for our poor behaviour cannot work.

angelica

Jeanie wrote:

Congratulations angelica. Another nice dig.

If you don't like my opinion, fair enough. My opinion remains what it is.

As for "digs" you've taken plenty of your own towards me, when you don't like what I say.

Jeanie

angelica wrote:

If you don't like my opinion, fair enough. My opinion remains what it is.

As for "digs" you've taken plenty of your own towards me, when you don't like what I say.

Well at least you've managed to be up front about it this time.

I take no issue with you opinion other than the fact that you appear to have a problem with stating directly what's on your mind and levelling it directly at the person that you take issue with.

When I have disagreed with your posts I have replied specifically to your posts. I wish you would afford me the same courtesy.

angelica

callen wrote:

how do you react when approached???....

most of the time before they even start I say "no thank you"....with the devil eye mind you and they take heed. I was worse in my younger days.

For me, I personally have little tolerance for the high pressure and very sophisticated "selling" techniques Mormons use. I feel completely justified not "going there" in the least with them. They are trained in very slick ways if one allows them any opening. So, I don't give them an opening. I draw the line at in any way being derogatory with them. It's one thing to counteract their methods for my own best interests; it's an entirely other thing to degrade, belittle or abuse others. It's my choice whether I in any way give them the time of day, and they know that, which is why their techniques, like those of a salesperson work for them with so many people.

angelica

Jeanie wrote:

Well at least you've managed to be up front about it this time.

I take no issue with you opinion other than the fact that you appear to have a problem with stating directly what's on your mind and levelling it directly at the person that you take issue with.

When I have disagreed with your posts I have replied specifically to your posts. I wish you would afford me the same courtesy.

You base this on an assumption that I am speaking to or about you specifically. I am not. I said my opinion, which is my opinion in general. I have very strong opinions about people holding others in any way accountable for their own behaviour. If it happens to apply to you, it does, if not, it does not.

I am always direct and upfront about my views. If I mean to directly confront you, I will. However, that's generally not my style. My purpose is to speak my mind, not to be "right" against the individual views of others, which I fully accept. If people want to personally connect with my opinion, and make it personal, then I stand by my opinion. It remains about my own opinion, and not about the other person for me, no matter what the other person sees.

Heineken Helen

anotherclone wrote:

I'm reading 'Under the Banner of Heaven' right now. Right now, its talking about the origin of the religion and specifically Mormon fundamentalists. Which I find really interesting in a freakish way. Coincidentally, it is written by John Krakauer (who also wrote 'Into the Wild').

I haven't read under the banner of heaven but after reading into thin air and other books on the topics, I'd be very careful at taking Krakauer's opinion as fact... which is how he seems to present it.

Heineken Helen

I've only met mormons from them calling around to the house, like most people. I feel sorry for them though as they probably get a hard time from people... so I let them in, let them leave their book, made them tea and did my daily good deed by listening to them for 20 minutes to see if they had anything interesting to say... they didn't! They turned into jealous stalker boyfriend types then fucking driving me mad. They did the same on my sisters boyfriend. He just tried to avoid them... that didn't work, they kept calling to the house. I still feel sorry for them though but if you're at a weak moment of your life, like any religion, they could prey on you.

angelica

Heineken Helen wrote:

I've only met mormons from them calling around to the house, like most people. I feel sorry for them though as they probably get a hard time from people... so I let them in, let them leave their book, made them tea and did my daily good deed by listening to them for 20 minutes to see if they had anything interesting to say... they didn't! They turned into jealous stalker boyfriend types then fucking driving me mad. They did the same on my sisters boyfriend. He just tried to avoid them... that didn't work, they kept calling to the house. I still feel sorry for them though but if you're at a weak moment of your life, like any religion, they could prey on you.

I had Mormons in my home once shortly after I began having spiritual experiences over ten years ago. They'd tell me how their dude was visited by God/angels, and I'd say "hey! That's like what happened to me". Eventually THEY voluntarily left, because the tables were turned on them. It seemed they were uncomfortable hearing my stories of being touched by divinity!

angelica

Heineken Helen wrote:

I still feel sorry for them though but if you're at a weak moment of your life, like any religion, they could prey on you.

What I find a little sad is that they are very young, and they are indoctrinated in such slick psychological tricks of getting the "foot in the door" in order to "sell" the message. These kids mean well, and think they are doing a good thing, and yet, I have no acceptance of techniques that are intended to hook me into adopting the agenda of another. That is why I reject the mentality of trying to actually part me of my own beliefs, and to superimpose the beliefs of others. And yet, I still treat the individuals humanely, and like the young, well-intended individuals they are. Again, their techniques are so intense that you can't give them any opening. They realize they have you moving in the "right" direction for them when you do. It is not rude to stop any counterproductive technique in it's tracks. It saves all parties the time and resentment.

Heineken Helen

angelica wrote:

What I find a little sad is that they are very young, and they are indoctrinated in such slick psychological tricks of getting the "foot in the door" in order to "sell" the message. These kids mean well, and think they are doing a good thing, and yet, I have no acceptance of techniques that are intended to hook me into adopting the agenda of another. That is why I reject the mentality of trying to actually part me of my own beliefs, and to superimpose the beliefs of others. And yet, I still treat the individuals humanely, and like the young, well-intended individuals they are. Again, their techniques are so intense that you can't give them any opening. They realize they have you moving in the "right" direction for them when you do. It is not rude to stop any counterproductive technique in it's tracks. It saves all parties the time and resentment.

VERY well said... all of it

And good idea to get rid of them

AmentsChick

Under the Banner of Heaven -- Jon Krakauer. Greatest book ever.

eyedclaar

MahoganySouls wrote:

and did it make you feel empowered to visually threaten and intimidate people who had no intention of harming you in the least? I just don't get it. Honestly, how is a 1 minute conversation at the door expressing your disinterest a burden to you?

The ding a ling guy who begs for money with the Salvation Army outside of the grocery store drives me insane every Christmas. Do you think I could take my gun and wave it at him when he asks me to donate over and over and over again?

What about the political lobbyists that come to the door EVERY single voting season to plead their platform and ask you to put a sign on the front lawn? Will you pull out the shotgun next year?

Oh and how dare those cute little girl scout/militant training organization come and peddle their cookies to you time and again. They could use a good spanking huh?

I didn’t threaten anyone. The cylinder was open so it was obvious the gun was unloaded. I was just holding it with a cleaning rag in the other hand. However, I’m sure the sight of it was unnerving enough for them as they haven’t been back. I don’t feel bad about anything other than waiting countless times to try that approach as nothing else seemed to deter them. And fuck them anyway. Don’t come to my house spreading your vile religious institutions where it isn’t wanted.

AmentsChick

Also, I should clarify. I have no problem with the Mormon faithful...it's the religion (and the First Presidency along with the Quorum of 12 Apostles) that I take issue with.


P.S. The Mormon Conspiracy by Charles L. Wood...read it and you shall be enlightened.

Heineken Helen

I don't take issue with any religion or those who decide to follow them. I think it's nice that people have a religion and if it makes them better people well that can only be a good thing.

AmentsChick

godpt3 wrote:

A cult by any other name... usually has good PR people.

OMG! That's fricken AWESOME...and sooo sooo true!


P.S. Talk about people with an elitest attitude! :rolleyes: