Identifying True Christianity

[Katzpur]

Katz, I'm not a hater.
I'm not an evangelizer.
I love to talk about God though.

I don't tell them their faith is whack, I don't do any of those things.

BUT what I believe, I believe because of indepth research. That's only relevant because I can talk to a high level of bible student on my topics. Most topics I'm excited about, I'd go on stage on national TV with Christian leading scholars and discuss, I"m not cocky, I'm that comfortable in the tried thoroughness of my research.

So, I put one of a pair of missionaries into rigors, apparently, and he went home and dropped out of the Church. Again, I'm not one of those "train to debate LDS" protestants. I don't care about that. I actually commend you guys on several of your teachings with admiration. OTher's what I understand of them so far, I think are whack. But I can say that about southern baptist and I grew up one.

The partner missionary, became some trouble. They came to my apartment with an elder who was a real stickler. Wouldn't let me provide decaf tea or sprite or 7 up.. whichever is decaf. I kept them around, I drink tea but have afib so I don't do the caffeine...

The elder got angry at me or frustrated, but frustrated is a type of anger, anyway he was dang annoyed with me because I had answers he wasn't expecting. I wasn't typical.

This is the same story with the JWs who pitched in and moved a family from across the hall from me.

I've been blackballed and my neighborhood marked off the map, so to speak. I can't confirm that because, as you know, I wouldn't be privy to being there to discuss with them. They just stay away.

What I liked, even if I think they are whack, the kiddos know a good bit about what they are doing. And if you get a confident one or pair, you can have some really good give and take. Because, I'm sure you'll agree, there are things we will inherently think the other is crazy about. SO we have exciting chat.

Conversation is really boring if you both agree on something....

How bout those cowboys... .

Good game....
Yep....
yep.....

um hmmmm.
yeah....

end of conversation. SEE? boring. NO chance to learn or teach anything.

I did not mean to cause you grief. I'm sorry if I did. I wasn't really bragging, although I do choose to wear both denoms "fear" (not the right word, but HEY, I grew up on the Greek Isle of Hyperbole) of me and refusal to chat anymore as a piece of ironic funny upside down pride.

Meaning, I just try to put a good spin on it, but respect their wishes. '

I hope that put you at ease. Again, I'm sorry.

No need to apologize. I was just confused about what you were saying. So it's not really your neighborhood they don't visit any more, it's you? Actually, that's probably a good thing overall. The thing is, the missionaries rotate areas, switch "companions," etc. every few weeks, and so you'll probably have new ones call on you again eventually. I know the missionaries occasionally run into people who just like to talk religion with them. If they know upfront that this is the case, they're usually fine with it. They're advised, though, to avoid getting into conversations with people who just want to argue for the sake of arguing, particularly since in most parts of the world, at least, there are enough people who are actually receptive enough to their message that time spent with someone who isn't would be counter-productive and a waste of time. One other possibility -- very recently, missionaries have been using social media to make contact with potential converts, as opposed to just knocking on doors. You may possibly be thinking they're intentionally avoiding you when they're just taking a different approach to finding people to talk to. At any rate, thanks for clearing things up for me.

 

[Xian Catalyst]

No need to apologize. I was just confused about what you were saying. So it's not really your neighborhood they don't visit any more, it's you? Actually, that's probably a good thing overall. The thing is, the missionaries rotate areas, switch "companions," etc. every few weeks, and so you'll probably have new ones call on you again eventually. I know the missionaries occasionally run into people who just like to talk religion with them. If they know upfront that this is the case, they're usually fine with it. They're advised, though, to avoid getting into conversations with people who just want to argue for the sake of arguing, particularly since in most parts of the world, at least, there are enough people who are actually receptive enough to their message that time spent with someone who isn't would be counter-productive and a waste of time. One other possibility -- very recently, missionaries have been using social media to make contact with potential converts, as opposed to just knocking on doors. You may possibly be thinking they're intentionally avoiding you when they're just taking a different approach to finding people to talk to. At any rate, thanks for clearing things up for me.

I was told, to avoid a discussion with me and my charming nice self, they were not to call on the apartments in my section of city block.

I was told, it was because I created too much doubt and they felt I was a threat.

When I made their boys (not derogatory) question things, it was best to avoid me since the elders couldn't answer my points in the discussion.

With the JWs I'll admit that I'm a little less uncaring about them than I am LDS. I really worry for some of those people. Some of them learn faith via cliches, and know the cliches but not the faith. I feel a bit more obligated there.
But the LDS kiddos, they are well educated at least.

 

[Theodore A. Jones]

Is it a private affair or are you willing to tell us this wisdom you have actually become aware of?

Sure I'ii tell you, but would it make any difference? 14,348 messages to your credit. What if what I tell you requires you to correct every one of them? Thing is we are going to have to account for every thing we've ever said. Men have no secrets they can keep secret.