LDS Relations With Other Christians

[ke7ejx]

I've been a member of TWEB for about 36 hours or so and so far, I've enjoyed the experience. I look forward to spending more time and discussing matters of the heart and soul with my fellow Christians (LDS and Non-LDS). But as I've read various threads I've noticed quite a bit of antagonism being exchanged. And as much as it kills me to say it, we're usually the ones that start it...

Now imagine with me if you will of threads being filled with good, clean, intellectual discussions. No insults, accusations, and other tomfoolery. Could you imagine what wonderful dialogue we would all enjoy?

I will admit that I am an Idealist. I believe that we could all learn from each other and get along great if only we could do the following for our friends:

If they disagree with something we've said, don't attack them. Ask questions! Back up your counter-arguments. STOP THE PERSONAL GARBAGE!!!!!!!

If you don't know something look it up. Do your homework. Don't worry the Spirit will guide you to the answers.

Be honest and straight forward, most people, myself included really appreciate those kind of gestures.

Be open to correction or suggestions. Believe me, these people are not out here to be cruel. And don't take it as betrayal if one of your own offers the same.

Because of the many petty comebacks and retreats and wrong information, we've given our church a bit of a black eye. A few months ago I served a part time mission in another part of my state. One thing I heard a lot from the people we spoke to was complaints that their LDS acquaintances didn't listen to them, sidestepped important questions and alienated them when they did not agree. This is in an abundance on this site and it needs to end now.

I have seen many of our people attack someone, retreat and then cry foul when the person they insulted called them on it. If you do that, apologize for heaven's sake! Swallow the pride and make amends. It's not that terrible. I have been guilty of this a time or two but when I made amends I felt a burden leave me. It felt GREAT!

But I have to be honest. After all I've heard and then seen on this site, sometimes I do not feel proud to be one of you. There are times where I think if Joseph could see this he'd come down from the Celestial Kingdom and go ”what on earth are you doing???” Let's show some of that Christ-like Christian goodness to our fellow men. Maybe we'll make a few friends and change the appearance of our Church for our brothers and sisters of other faiths.

Okay, I'll get off the soapbox now. I promise to follow these guidelines and I encourage all of you to do the same. God be with you. Christ be with you.

ke7ejx.

[OtherCheek]

I've been a member of TWEB for about 36 hours or so and so far, I've enjoyed the experience. I look forward to spending more time and discussing matters of the heart and soul with my fellow Christians (LDS and Non-LDS). But as I've read various threads I've noticed quite a bit of antagonism being exchanged. And as much as it kills me to say it, we're usually the ones that start it... ...

If they disagree with something we've said, don't attack them. Ask questions! Back up your counter-arguments. STOP THE PERSONAL GARBAGE!!!!!!!

... This is in an abundance on this site and it needs to end now.
...
I have seen many of our people attack someone, retreat and then cry foul when the person they insulted called them on it. If you do that, apologize for heaven's sake! Swallow the pride and make amends. It's not that terrible. I have been guilty of this a time or two but when I made amends I felt a burden leave me. It felt GREAT!

But I have to be honest. After all I've heard and then seen on this site, sometimes I do not feel proud to be one of you. ...

Okay, I'll get off the soapbox now. I promise to follow these guidelines and I encourage all of you to do the same. God be with you. Christ be with you.

ke7ejx.

I think that now that you are here, everyone will be on their best behavior for sure.

TWeb is quite tame and friendly compared to other sites I have and do visit. I must say that the folks here are generally well behaved both LDS and non-LDS--at least of late. (But check out the Apologetics 301 forum if you want to see sparks fly). However, the topic of faith can become a pretty volatile topic here too. A forum designed for argument usually does not engender a whole lot of humility and admittance of error on either side, or real understanding IMO. But I do appreciate JB's approach, even though he and I have had our disagreements in the past, and neither one of us seemed ready to admit that we were in the wrong. It's still OK. God knows the truth, and I think he watches us to see how we treat each other and he takes more interest in THAT, than he does take interest on whether we have all of our theological ducks in a row.

[Cow Poke]

I think that now that you are here, everyone will be on their best behavior for sure.

Yeah, specially cause JB said he'd beat me up if I wasn't nice to Ke7.

TWeb is quite tame and friendly compared to other sites I have and do visit. I must say that the folks here are generally well behaved both LDS and non-LDS--at least of late. (But check out the Apologetics 301 forum if you want to see sparks fly). However, the topic of faith can become a pretty volatile topic here too. A forum designed for argument usually does not engender a whole lot of humility and admittance of error on either side, or real understanding IMO. But I do appreciate JB's approach, even though he and I have had our disagreements in the past, and neither one of us seemed ready to admit that we were in the wrong. It's still OK. God knows the truth, and I think he watches us to see how we treat each other and he takes more interest in THAT, than he does take interest on whether we have all of our theological ducks in a row.

I even offered to buy OC a pizza!

[Sparko]

despite getting frustrated time to time, and then reacting negatively to it by tossing out insults myself, I do genuinely like all of the mormons here on tweb.

This is a debate site and since we can't see each other in person, things do become heated at time. I don't take it personally (most of the time) and I hope the mormons here don't take my "attacks" personally either (most of the time).

All I ask is direct and clear answers to my posts and I will do the same in return - and do it civilly. What frustrates me the most is the dodging that goes on. We ask questions, and instead of getting a clear answer, we get a run around, or a dodge, or change of subject. When we give evidence from the LDS site, from LDS leaders, we generally get the response that we either don't get it, or "that was just opinion and not doctrine" - or even "we have living prophets and they supersede previous revelations" (As a Christian I don't believe God contradicts himself so that excuse falls flat)

oh and if we do manage to get a point across about how Joseph or some other prophet or the LDS church has done something wrong the usual response is to toss the bible and Christianity under the bus by saying "well so and so did the same thing" or ""the Christian church did much worse" --- well we don't claim our church is led directly by a prophet who talks directly to God, and we admit we have had problems in the past - but if the LDS church is truly led by God directly and is the real restoration, they shouldn't be able to use that excuse. One example is keeping blacks out of the priesthood for over 100 years. Gee, you would think God would have corrected his church on that right from the beginning.

[Catholicity]

Honestly ke7 I've been a member of Tweb for a year. I've popped in and out of the LDS forums and kinda thought that some friendly exchange could help. BUT this is what I've found to ring true. There are a great deal of reactions to questions and misunderstandings of things that are being asked and why the questions are being asked. I've been witness too a lot of the forum blow ups, and truthfully I've seen things that are problematic. I hope that a reasonable discussion can be reached, but in truth, some times overly defensive responses to sometimes harmless jokes or overly offensive responses to harmless questions and yes I've seen some not so nice questions from everyone here may help get problems resolved. IF thats what we're really here for
But I think at its core, while some are here to genuinely learn, others are really here to debate, and yes sometimes discussions get a little heated, its kind of a side-effect of debate. I mean even when you sign up it says "We debate theology, Seriously" I mean I'm a Catholic, I get into it with the Presbyterians all the time, it doesn't mean I don't stlll love em at the end of the day

[Sparko]

Honestly ke7 I've been a member of Tweb for a year. I've popped in and out of the LDS forums and kinda thought that some friendly exchange could help. BUT this is what I've found to ring true. There are a great deal of reactions to questions and misunderstandings of things that are being asked and why the questions are being asked. I've been witness too a lot of the forum blow ups, and truthfully I've seen things that are problematic. I hope that a reasonable discussion can be reached, but in truth, some times overly defensive responses to sometimes harmless jokes or overly offensive responses to harmless questions and yes I've seen some not so nice questions from everyone here may help get problems resolved. IF thats what we're really here for
But I think at its core, while some are here to genuinely learn, others are really here to debate, and yes sometimes discussions get a little heated, its kind of a side-effect of debate. I mean even when you sign up it says "We debate theology, Seriously" I mean I'm a Catholic, I get into it with the Presbyterians all the time, it doesn't mean I don't stlll love em at the end of the day

Yes, Ke7, the pope flunky is right.

[Catholicity]

You know you're SECRETARY...reminds you that you are merely a puppet of the baptist association.

[Cow Poke]

It's all Jaltus' fault.

[Catholicity]

Thats what they say.. I'm suspicious as I've never met this Jaltus.....

[Cow Poke]

Thats what they say.. I'm suspicious as I've never met this Jaltus.....

That's his fault.

[ke7ejx]

Yeah, specially cause JB said he'd beat me up if I wasn't nice to Ke7.

When did he say that??

[Cow Poke]

When did he say that??

ANOTHER great story ruined by FACT!

[ke7ejx]

lol.....sorry! didn't mean to rain on your parade.

[Cow Poke]

Quite OK -- I enjoy having you around, and hope you'll stay fer a spell.

and JB is really good people!

(These MORMONS, on the other hand )

[OtherCheek]

despite getting frustrated time to time, and then reacting negatively to it by tossing out insults myself, I do genuinely like all of the mormons here on tweb.

This is a debate site and since we can't see each other in person, things do become heated at time. I don't take it personally (most of the time) and I hope the mormons here don't take my "attacks" personally either (most of the time).

All I ask is direct and clear answers to my posts and I will do the same in return - and do it civilly. What frustrates me the most is the dodging that goes on. We ask questions, and instead of getting a clear answer, we get a run around, or a dodge, or change of subject. When we give evidence from the LDS site, from LDS leaders, we generally get the response that we either don't get it, or "that was just opinion and not doctrine" - or even "we have living prophets and they supersede previous revelations" (As a Christian I don't believe God contradicts himself so that excuse falls flat)

oh and if we do manage to get a point across about how Joseph or some other prophet or the LDS church has done something wrong the usual response is to toss the bible and Christianity under the bus by saying "well so and so did the same thing" or ""the Christian church did much worse" --- well we don't claim our church is led directly by a prophet who talks directly to God, and we admit we have had problems in the past - but if the LDS church is truly led by God directly and is the real restoration, they shouldn't be able to use that excuse. One example is keeping blacks out of the priesthood for over 100 years. Gee, you would think God would have corrected his church on that right from the beginning.

As ye throw another's faith, so shall yours be thrown. Or something like that. Or putting it another way, "as ye slap up side 'o' the head, so shall ye be slapped up yon side 'o' head."

That's kind of the world of Mormon apologetics. Where we may point to instances in the Bible in order to defend the BoM or Joseph Smith.

Now Sparko. Do you really like me? Just the way I am? All cute and cuddly like I am?

p.s. Sparko, I actually do have an appreciation for you even though you are always the unreasonable one and I am not. (JUST KIDDING)