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Fr Anthony, bless! As usual, your words are wise. Rudeness is interpreted as "persecution" and only confirms them in their error.
In every exchange with those of other religions kindness, personal interest and pointed questions are the way to open hearts.
And by all means commend them on their zeal, which puts us to shame.
Speaking of JWs, I find the shortest conversation to get them thinking, or at least unsettle them goes like this:
"You believe that Jesus Christ is the son of God but is not God, is that right?"
"Yes, that is right".
"Well I have four sons, and they are human, just like me. They are not chipmunks or turtles. If my sons have the same nature as me, wouldn't God's Son have the same [Divine] nature that He does?"
The reasoning is so simple and undeniable I inevitably see confusion in their faces, like a little seed of light...

And Wolfgang- that is a very rude and insulting tactic. If Jews sought converts would he tell them he would read their literature if they take a bite of ham sandwich? And hey, there are many of us who are not heretical that have a problem with saluting the flag...
-Daniel

Daniel,
I'm beginning to have trouble with the flag thing too, now that I see how our young & idealistic people are dying for an ideologue. Germans, who lived through WWII, or whose parents did, detest Bush. They know all too well about indoctrination.
Did you hear the latest about Dubya? He invited former Secretaries of State & Defense to dialogue with him on Iraq. The meeting only lasted about 1/2 hour. Dubya was probably afraid they would burst his bubble !
-Wolfgang

Well it is a bubble made of concrete; I doubt it is burstable...
Hopefully someday the neocons will be imprisoned for crimes against humanity!
-Daniel

Ray,

Getting everyone back on topic, let us know at least by PM or by a post what happens.

Wishing you all blessings and prayers.

In IC XC,
Father Anthony+

Mormons Left!

Well, two young men should up at my door. We talked for about 1 hour.

Yes Carlson I used my incense, holy water around the door and moved my Icons into the room. I said a prayer before they came.

First I let them speak for about 15 minutes. We skipped to the great apostasy since I knew a little about the religion.

Too make a long story short I showed them the successor of the Coptic Popes since St. Mark and told them each of the Ancient Orthodox/Catholic Churches can trace themselves directly to the Apostles via laying of hands. I also told them these Bishops where from the Order of Melchizedek. That threw them off! They ask, �does your church believe in the Order of Melchizedek?� I said YES they do. In fact, the worst priest is still a priest for life.

They spoke some more and then I mentioned something about the Orthodox/Catholic Church being the most persecuted Church in the world. I then talked about the new Holy Russian Martyrs. I told them the brief story of Crucifixion in Sebastopol. I said isn�t the fact that our Church is the most persecuted Church in the world a sign of holiness (switched it on them because they like to use that argument)?

We went back and forth and finally they left and they asked if they could come back. I said sure.

When they left I told them I was opened minded and I would read more on Mormonism and kindly asked them to do the same for orthodoxy.

sinner
ray

Ray thanks for sharing you testimony with them and us. Keep up the good work for the Glory of God.

Thanks Dan, if it for Christ I will take jail. I am a neocon!

Pani Rose

Ray,

Sounds good! I echo Pani Rose and says thanks for sharing your faith with them and thanks for letting us know how it went.

Thanks be to God for answering prayers.

And I can see peace did prevail.

Glory!

In Christ and the Theotokos,

Mary Jo

Good for you Ray.

Just be strong when they come again .


And incredibly enough at the hour of 10,20am I have just had a doorstep visit from 3 Irish ladies asking if I felt secure

After a few more comments from them about feeling safe and secure and I was shown the cover of a booklet showing an elderly gentleman sitting in a chair with his walking stick to hand , I started to get this feeling so I asked if they were trying to introduce me to a Church

'Oh no' was the answer so I fear I raised my eyebrows and was told that they were visiting as so many people now were insecure as they had lost their faith.

AHA - light dawned - it was the Legion of Mary - I had heard that they were having a membership push over here. I have to say they have really chosen the wrong area - there is only 1 other house on our Street which is Catholic it really is a West of Scotland Protestant area

Ah well - it takes all sorts - full marks for trying when you expect to get the non-working Ladies of the House in.

Uh, Rose, how can "crimes against humanity" be for Christ?

But to return to the topic at hand, it sounds like you did a good job, Ray. My only concern is that you present them with what Lewis called "Mere Christianity", the common doctrinal truths to which all Christians hold, and which Mormons deny or redefine. Otherwise they may view you as simply a colorful sectarian.
-Daniel

Ray,

Looks good for only a one hour visit. Who knows, Christ may use you to help convert them.

Daniel,

If you wish to discuss politics why don't you start another thread.

CDL

Daniel,

Perhaps you would like to discuss "Crimes against humanity" in the Town Hall forum in the "Crimes against humanity" thread. That way this thread will not be derailed.

CDL

When I originally read this, my initial reaction was that Ray S. should invite mordads.

I see my post was edited and my explanation of what I meant by "crimes against humanity" removed, as if wandering threads are not the norm on the forum.
All right, Dan, when I get some time I'll respond to your new thread on Town Hall...
-Daniel

A friend of mine spent considerable time with some young mormons many years ago. In her discussion with them, she ended up pointing them to Mary. Here the one was a fallen away Catholic and had been raised in a very strong Catholic home. They asked if they may return and she welcomed them to come back. They did, but not the one who had been Catholic, she found out that he/she had returned home. We never know what God will do when we take time to talk with these young people.

Also, while we were still in Steubenville, there were some that use to love to come visit my husband. It was funny, because they were always bringing more people, especially the elders. I don't know if he made headway with them, or if they thought they were bringing stronger weapons to convert him. Anyway, they kept coming to visit him until we moved to Alabama.

Pani Rose

ha ha I can't spell!