Why?

[Merlin]

There are 1000's of people wandering about trying to convert people from one Christian sect to another. I never understood that. Does anyone?

M

 

[Fluffy]

Because most Christian denominations feel that their's is significantly different enough to change a soul damned for all eternity into one that is saved.

 

[Fire Empire]

There are 1000's of people wandering about trying to convert people from one Christian sect to another. I never understood that. Does anyone?

This has to do with the concept of memetics. Christianity and it's various denominations are examples of "meme-complexes", and is the nature of memes to reproduce themselves. Sort of like viruses.

 

[Quiddity]

There are 1000's of people wandering about trying to convert people from one Christian sect to another. I never understood that. Does anyone?

M

Same reason you would tell your buddy that a certain rode is the best and or increases your chances to not get lost.

~Victor

 

[jonny]

I was a missionary for two years. I rarely taught someone who was already active in a church. If I did, it wasn't because they were looking for a new church; rather, they were looking for a good discussion.

As much as I taught people, I tried to served them and the Lord. I gave two years of my life to the Lord. I put aside my job and school and did something that helped me grow spiritually, help others, and begin to understand more fully what the Savior did for me. I wanted to help people feel Christ's love and become better people. I also helped existing members of my church by breaking down barriers of prejudism and misunderstanding.

My calling wasn't to try and convert people from one sect to another. It was to bring people closer to Christ. If they ended up joining the church, great. If they didn't, I hope I was able to make a positive impact on their lives.

 

[michel]

There are 1000's of people wandering about trying to convert people from one Christian sect to another. I never understood that. Does anyone?

M

No, and I call myself a Christian. Though I have a feeling I may well be disowned by other Christians for my stance on various subjects.

Those who do believe they are doing the right thing, that is what is sad.

 

[jonny]

Those who do believe they are doing the right thing, that is what is sad.

Don't get all depressed on my account.

 

[Quiddity]

No, and I call myself a Christian. Though I have a feeling I may well be disowned by other Christians for my stance on various subjects.

Those who do believe they are doing the right thing, that is what is sad.

Do you think you are doing the right thing?

~Victor

 

[michel]

Do you think you are doing the right thing?

~Victor

I do; that is the trouble. What hurts is that I feel like the soldier who responds by saying ;"It's not me, it's all the others who are marching out of time ".

 

[Quiddity]

I do; that is the trouble. What hurts is that I feel like the soldier who responds by saying ;"It's not me, it's all the others who are marching out of time ".

I'm not sure if you are talking about actions or just not being afraid to say that you diagree or that something is wrong. You tell me?

~Victor

 

[Merlin]

My calling wasn't to try and convert people from one sect to another. It was to bring people closer to Christ. If they ended up joining the church, great. If they didn't, I hope I was able to make a positive impact on their lives.

I have had numerous talks as LDS and JW have called at my house; and the first statement is that, without exception. they are all very nice polite young people. But there was no doubt of their intention to recruit me to their church.

 

[Merlin]

This has to do with the concept of memetics. Christianity and it's various denominations are examples of "meme-complexes", and is the nature of memes to reproduce themselves. Sort of like viruses.

Could it be financial? The more members, the more donations!

 

[nutshell]

Could it be financial? The more members, the more donations!

I strongly oppose the idea that it is financial. The current prophet, Gordon B. Hinkley, said the church can "make bad people good and good people better."

You call missionary work recruiting, but I think Jonny and I both agree that, as missionaries, we just wanted to share the blessings the gospel has brought to our lives and invite others the opportunity to receive the same. Like Jonny, I was happy if someone joined the church, but I was just as happy if they made some sort of improvement or progress in their lives by moving closer to Christ.

 

[Merlin]

Could recruitment be financially motivated?

 

[Merlin]

I strongly oppose the idea that it is financial. The current prophet, Gordon B. Hinkley, said the church can "make bad people good and good people better."

You call missionary work recruiting, but I think Jonny and I both agree that, as missionaries, we just wanted to share the blessings the gospel has brought to our lives and invite others the opportunity to receive the same. Like Jonny, I was happy if someone joined the church, but I was just as happy if they made some sort of improvement or progress in their lives by moving closer to Christ.

I respect all religions, and I am genuinely pleased you have found one that satisfies you. But I have a genuine question for information about LDS. Is it true you baptise people in their absence, or even if they are already dead? This is what I was told, but it is maybe a lie and I have never dared to ask before.

I hope you are not offended by the question, it is not meant to be offensive.

 

[nutshell]

We believe in doing baptisms for the dead. That is why we do so much geneaology work. It is a practice mentioned briefly in the New Testament. We do this because we believe every single person will have a fair chance to hear God's word and accept it. That means people who didn't have the chance to hear the gospel while living will hear it in the spirit world after they die (kind of the holding place until Judgement Day). This too is referred to in the New Testament.

 

[nutshell]

I just reread your post and wanted to clarify one more thing. We never baptize a living person in their absence. In fact, before a person can be baptized they must go through a strict interview process to make sure they are really ready. The only baptisms conducted where the person is not physically present are the ones for the dead. And these are not guarantees. The person in the spirit world must choose to accept the baptism.

 

[Merlin]

"The person in the spirit world must choose to accept the baptism."

Can dead people not be saved without your baptism? Or will any baptism do - Catholic, JW, or any Christian sect? Or do you believe it has to be LDS?

Secodly, what does the baptism actually do for the dead soul? Were they invisble to God before this?

 

[Malus 12:9]

Chritianity, like Islam, seek convertees because in their belief, Christians would like all to
follow the way, believing it will make a better world, increase love between man, and harmony
amongst the population. To cleanse the world, so to speak.

 

[michel]

Chritianity, like Islam, seek convertees because in their belief, Christians would like all to
follow the way, believing it will make a better world, increase love between man, and harmony
amongst the population. To cleanse the world, so to speak.

Yes, unfortunately there are too many 'brand' names, each one convinced theirs is 'The only right way'.