When a missionary calls

[_Jonah]

I have always been kind to the missionaries who knock on my door. Yes, they are just brainwashed kids doing what they have been programed to do. Most of them don't want to be there, so when they stop by I offer them a haven where they can relax and be themselves for a bit. I am even more sympathetic since I have a son serving in Mexico City. Aside from my concerns for his well being, I hope that as he is knocking on doors he will find someone as accommodating as I.

I learned long ago not to try to de-convert them, it is amazing how little they really know. In the past, most of the stuff I fired off them drew blank stares, like my statements just bounced off of their foreheads and fell to the ground. Every now and then I get a curious pair and that is when I am able to "plant some seeds". The last pair that stopped by asked if I would try Moroni's promise again. When I mentioned that I was told in the temple that "It is a wicked and an adulterous generation that seeks for a sign", they stopped dead in their tracks. For the rest of our conversation I could see the wheels spinning in their heads. Haaa haa.

I talk more with them about their lives, where they come from, what they plan on doing when they get home. One of my better conversations centered around what they should look for in a mate. Did they REALLY want someone who based their selection process on whether or not they were an "R.M.", or would they rather have someone who wanted them for who they are? Did they REALLY want a bride who would choose the church over them? I told them 30+ years ago I was in their shoes...and look at me today. Anything can happen. Would they want a TBM wife who would leave them if they left the church? I show them that I am more interested in THEM than any message they have for me. When it comes time for them to leave, I don't allow them to offer a prayer.

I offer them food, snacks, drinks, watch TV, use my computer, help them out, give them a ride, etc. I tell them I respect what they are doing and the hardships they have to endure. I let them know that if they can't get ward members to help them with things, to stop by and I will help them. They are welcome in my home anytime and if they time it right, perhaps they will get a home cooked meal or taken out to dinner.

It is quite rewarding to me when they leave my house muttering "Gosh darn it, Brother Jonah sure would make a good Bishop." Haaa haaa.

[_cafe crema]

November marks one year since I have attended church and to honour me, the missionaries are coming for a visit! This Wednesday, two young servants of the Lord will cross my threshold and we will have a tete-a-tete.

I am excited! In the year since I left, the ward to which I belonged has given me a good and proper shunning. The bishop (a long time friend), his counselors (both friends), the high priest group leader (an arsehole, but duty bound to rescue me), the ward mission leader (supposedly a kindred spirit), even the stake president (with whom I served for a *very* long time), and countless other ward and stake members, abandoned me. None, and I mean none, as in zero, visited, called, emailed, sent cards, invited me to ward events like the bbq, the Christmas party or the assorted and sundry potlucks.

Are people really friends if they stop socializing with you because you no longer attend? It seems to me friendship is more than just working together. Over the years I've had co-workers and people I've worked with at church that I also socialized with but for the most part they were acquaintances. Even among these acquaintances there were varying degrees of closeness, only a few of these acquaintances are now my friends even though we no longer work together. Those that I do still see and talk too are people who have other common interests, values and attitudes, people whose interaction with me went beyond simply working together or volunteering at the same church. in my opinion if the only interaction you have with someone is church socializing and church business then more than likely you don't really have a friendship only a church buddy.

[_Doctor CamNC4Me]

They will be walking into my home, a place they requested to visit. They will be greeted with a handshake, cookies, and facts.

H.

Exactly. Religionist hate, hate, hate facts.

V/R
Dr. Cam

[_RockSlider]

Rockslider.

not sure what you are asking/pointing out here?

[_cafe crema]

I think that sums up Why Me's entire MDB posting career.

And other places too, evidenced by his being banned from so many.

Well, at least he is more acceptable than Droopy, who seems to have been banned from everywhere except this board!

But strangely enough, I don't have Droopy on ignore as I do whyme. I think the reason may be that however odd Droopy's posts are, they still retain the power to spark occasional interest, which whyme lost long, long ago (if he ever had it). Whatever Droopy may be, he is no mere chatbot like whyme.

Neither is on my ignore list I only have one person on and that's someone I seem to remember from NOM.

[_zenangst]

Mr Toronto said:

I think people are scared to find out why someone who served in high places fell into apostasy so quickly and with little warning.

This certainly rings true in my view... People are quite wary when a key member of the community "drops out". I also was one of those... Even family often won't ask. It took my sister quite a few years to dance around and ask me that key question "Why?" Truth be told, she really didn't want the answer, not really, but I'm glad she asked.

[_why me]

And other places too, evidenced by his being banned from so many.

No quite. Of course, I was banned from the catholic site because of my defense of Mormonism. I followed many other defenders in being banned. Postmormon site because of my defense of the LDS church against their constant attacks on Mormonism in their early days as a board. and NoM for the same reason. The moderator couldn't take a positive about the church. Exmormons are very dictatorial on the internet. They want to protect their flock from straying. It is their way or the highway.

The catholic taliban keep discussing the same crap about Mormonism. No progress at all. Just rip on Mormonism and ignore the problems of catholicism.

And when one does compare the problems of both religions, ban that sucker for being anticatholic.

[_why me]

Fellow boarders - I will, of course, be courteous to the young fellas.

H.

You are a real peach of a guy.

[_cafe crema]

And other places too, evidenced by his being banned from so many.

No quite. Of course, I was banned from the catholic site because of my defense of Mormonism. I followed many other defenders in being banned. Postmormon site because of my defense of the LDS church against their constant attacks on Mormonism in their early days as a board. and NoM for the same reason. The moderator couldn't take a positive about the church. Exmormons are very dictatorial on the internet. They want to protect their flock from straying. It is their way or the highway.

The catholic taliban keep discussing the same crap about Mormonism. No progress at all. Just rip on Mormonism and ignore the problems of catholicism.

And when one does compare the problems of both religions, ban that sucker for being anticatholic.

You were not banned at CAF for your "defense of Mormonism" since you had almost 5000 posts defending Mormonism, you were banned for scandalous lying, I know exactly why you were banned. As for Postmormon and NOM I'd say you were banned for not following the rules of either site and were endlessly, sanctimoniously admonishing the other posters on both boards.

[_sock puppet]

Exmormons are very dictatorial on the internet. They want to protect their flock from straying. It is their way or the highway.

Yes, with lies of salvation hanging in the balance, Exmormons on the internet--

• Exact 10% from their flock
• Expect their flock to devote 2 years of their livest in service of the Exmos
• Insist that they devote every Sunday to the cause
• Pressure them into only marrying within the Exmo flock
• Use guilt about normal, healthy human sexuality to keep them downtrodden
• Send them on monthly sorties into each others' homes and the homes of those that might be faltering and considering rejoining
• Tell the Exmo flock they cannot drink alcohol, coffee or tea, or use tobacco

But thankfully, Exmos don't use that most dictatorial tactic of them all--Exmos don't ask people to think and use reason.