www.byzcath.org Forums General Discussions Town Hall MORMONS

Many groups aggressively proselytize, that is not unique to Christianity or even to being a theist. It however seems somewhat ironic to me to criticize the Mormons for being active proslytizers when reading the book of Acts pretty much tells us that's what we're supposed to do; and gives the examples of the Apostles, the founders of the church, leading on that score by example.

I don't think St. Paul was a real popular guy after his speech at the Areopagus, and he only got a few converts as a result. By the same token I don't think he would have celebrated the religious diversity of Athens or been happy with people just remaining as they are, with no imperative to convert.

Like I said, I think the Mormons have strange and misguided theology, yet somehow they seem to bear many of the fruits of possessing truth.

"It however seems somewhat ironic to me to criticize the Mormons for being active proselytizers when reading the book of Acts pretty much tells us that's what we're supposed to do."

It instructs us with what we are supposed to do, but the Book of Mormon and the writings by their line of prophets and the current prophet-in-chief carry more weight than the New Testament. Their teachings are contradictory to the ecumenical councils and the most basic theology. Mormons can live commendable lives and be an example of virtuous living, but that will not lead to salvation. I would criticize their proselytization because of the spiritual vapidness they spread.

There are times when I would be concerned with how Protestants proselytize in Catholic or Orthodox regions, but it would be with their tact and because they lead Catholics or Orthodox away from the sacraments which are absent in Protestant churches.

My concern with Mormons or Jehovah Witnesses roots deeper than tact. Their theology is fundamentally flawed. It is very difficult to fear God when you believe in gods; the Jehovah Witnesses refer to Jesus as "a god", the Mormons teach that there are many levels of heaven and that at the highest we can become gods ourselves. Even if that is not a common belief among Mormons, their teachings bemuddle the minds and divert the wills of their followers away from God.

The object of their faith is false, good behavior is not unique to be a strong indicator of bearing "the fruits of possessing truth."

Terry

I agree completely.

I, too, have admired the degree of commitment and enthusiam exhibited by groups like the Mormons, Jehovah's Witnesses and Seventh-day Adventists. I think God allows such groups to exist as a way of showing His Church an example of some of the things they could accomplish if they would only lose their short-sightedness and realize what a treasure they already possess by being baptised into Christ and sharing in His Resurrection!


Peace,
Deacon Richard

There is sort of a chicken or the egg question here... Is it the theology that leads to these very positive things, or social pressure woven into the fabric of LDS life?

The lack of mission activities through individual Catholic parishes in the United States is, to me, very surprising. I'm not sure I've ever heard of one of my "familiar parishes" organizing mission trips anywhere. I'd love to go along, if the opportunity were put forward.

Alexis

I had something typed out that I was going to post, but had decided against it. But since you ask this, I'll say what I was going to as a way of giving a little insight into their motivation. You ask about social pressure in LDS life, and yes, in our experience that is what leads to them doing what they do. For instance, the tithing. They are required to pay 10% tithing on their gross pay. If they do not pay the full 10%, they are not allowed to have a temple recommend which is required to enter the temple. The temple is the only place that they can take out their endowments, be married for eternity, be sealed as a family, get the garment, and get their secret name and the handshakes that get them into the Celestial Kingdom. So basically, if they want to go to the highest heaven they have to pay. There is even tithing settlement at the end of the year where you're required to pay up if you've missed anything. Plus, I believe, (it's been a while) that you must have a recommend to hold any "callings" (jobs) in the church, which of course every good Mormon should have.

As far as the missionary work, the young are pressured very hard from a very young age to go on their mission. Especially the boys. And there are social benefits to going and social consequences in LDS life if you don't. Kind of a stigma if a boy doesn't go, or comes home early. In some places it can even affect his ability to get a wife. Now, the missions are run very cult like (this comes from my husband who served his mission). It's more a mechanism for further brainwashing of the young, and a way to tie them even more to the church. The pressure is amazing. The families usually pay for the mission on top of the tithing, so that adds even another layer of pressure. When we were leaving the church, my poor husband had to endure that over and over from his parents...,"but we paid for your mission!" It's several hundred bucks a month.

Another thing, the Mormon church is obsessed with numbers and money. The mission program is a way for them to get the numbers and the possible money from new tithe payers. I could go on about the details of the missions, but it really is nothing like the book of Acts.

It's really hard to explain the amount of pressure in the LDS church, and the reality behind the nice images. It's not good.

I would love this too. The only trip the latin parish we were attending ever went on was to Medjugorje. I would love to do some kind of mission activities with children.

And anyway that was probably a pilgrimage and not a mission, right, Andrea? I'm talking about going to some poor country and helping to build houses or schools while at the same time spreading the Gospel to them by passing out Bibles and educating them on the Catholic Faith.

Alexis

Yep, I guess so.

I agree, that's what I would like to do too...but something with orphanages. Anyway, have there ever been lay Catholic groups that do that or was missionary work seen as more of a job for various orders?

Mission trips are a bit more cumbersome for Catholics inasmuch as we have a far finer defined theology and the expectation for catechesis of our missionaries is a bar set about a mile or ten higher than that of your average Evangelical... (Mormons, I grant, would likely need more training still, but they have centers dedicated to such training.)

This being said, when an Evangelical or Mormon goes on a "mission" as often as not it used to be to Latin America where they were well recieved by enthusiastic and pious Catholics who formed a sympathetic and receptive audience. The Catholics DO love Christ already, so if some gringo shows up with a mission film, promise of some social services, and exotic tales of far off lands (in this case, the US) a crowd can and will READILY gather to hear this fellow out. But for the piety that the Catholic Church even just culturally instills, these folks would not have one tenth the success.

Compare missions to Mexico versus missions to Morrocco...

This being said, I have been hinting to my pastor that I would be interested in developping a "sister parish" or ten in different areas where even our few dollars would go a long way.